The series that starts tonight against the Reds, features the Cubs best 3 starters. Ryan Dempster (who is 9-0 at Wrigley) will face Aaron Harang in the opener. Harang was pushed back from his last start due to stiffness in his right forearm, which had his velocity down in his last start. He's 3-10 on the year, with a 4.47 ERA.

Game 2 has Johnny Cueto matched against Big Z. Cueto is 7-8 on the year with a 4.63 ERA. He looks like a top of the rotation guy-some day. But Big Z looked sharp in his return Friday in St Louis and should give the Cubs a great chance in this game.

Game 3 will have Bronson Arroyo (6-7 5.82 ERA) against Ted Lilly (9-5 4.47 ERA) When you consider that Lilly lost his first four decisions, it's pretty impressive that he has gone 9-1 since then.

The series should afford the Cubs a chance to open up their lead in the Central a bit. If they dont sweep, they should at least take 2 of 3. Having Edinson Volquez miss the series, was a break I'm sure Cub hitters dont mind getting. He's 11-3 on the year now, with a 2.36 ERA. Volquez and Cueto give the Reds a chance to be pretty good in a year or two, if they make a couple of key moves. I will be surprised if they don't move either Dunn or Griffey before the trade deadline. I hope it winds up being Dunn, to an A.L. team to DH. That guy just kills the Cubs and would be nice to not see regularly.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Cotts will be a factor in this series. He is the only left handed reliever the Cubs have and with Griffey, Dunn and Bruce in the Reds lineup, I see Cotts in some pivotal situations in this series.

Also somewhat curious on how Gallagher takes to being in the bullpen.

No word yet on whether or not Dusty plans on batting his lineup in order. Stay tuned.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

WHO started this thread?

I thought you were going to crawl back under your rock after the series with the Sox

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Cubs took 2 of 3 this weekend. He only runs away and hides when the Cub lose.

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I guess Gallagher doesn't have to worry about moving to the bullpen anymore, just Oakland.

Walking Paul Bako to force in a run (four walks in the inning)... NOT what you want to do. C'mon Dempster...

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Stupidity irritates the crap outta me... and yes, I irritate myself far too often.

Oh happy day... oh happpppy dayyyyy!

7-1.

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How many ex-Cubs are on the Reds?

Dusty Baker
Corey Patterson
Jerry Hairston, Jr
Dick Pole
Kent Mercker
David Weathers
Paul BACKO

Who's missing?

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WOW...that is one bad team...no wonder it's the first time Dusty hasn't had first year success with...

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

Kent Mercker and Alex Gonzalez are on the 40 man roster, but on the DL

Chris Speier is the bench coach.

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Wrong Gonzalez.

yep, that Gonzalez flamed out...I think he may have played a month with the Red Sox? and was gone...

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

Shhhh! Dusty doesn't know that.

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Stupidity irritates the crap outta me... and yes, I irritate myself far too often.

Big Z looking really good tonight!

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Gotta love Adam Dunn trying to field

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

He makes Soriano look okay. Important thing is that Z is having another good outing. It looks like the worries about his shoulder can be put to rest.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Dominating pitching by the Cubs tonight, except for Marmol with 2 outs. I really thought he was back, til he decided to load the bases with 2 outs.

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Fuck Edwards and Zobrist

Some great defense tonite and last nite too.

Cubs win, Cards lose, Brewers lose. Glendon Rusch beats Ben Sheets.

Quote Mel Allen

"How about thaat".

these two wins--the 9th innings have not been exactly pleasant to watch...too much drama given to a bad team.

I love Woods decision (or perhaps it was Soto's) to go with the fastball in on the fists for the last pitch, on a 2-2 count. The hitter was probably looking for the slider there and he gets sawed off, and Lee makes an easy play. It would sure be nice to sweep behind Lilly tomorrow and hopefully open up some more space between the Cubs and the Brew Crew and Cards.

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Go Cubs!!!!

I wouldn't categorize last night's performance as a "GOOD OUTING". Z was great last night.

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President of Blake Shetlon fan club

Time for another Cub offensive explosion at Wrigley to get back in the game. And forget about trading for Brian Roberts or anyone other position players. The Cubs need bullpen help. Wuertz is not very good.

wtf, lilly...jesus christ. wuertz doesn't surprise me at all when he gives up runs, but lilly was at least looking decent lately...

This is one of the ugliest pitching/defensive games Ive ever seen.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

i don't know if either team was ready to play this afternoon...