Cubs, Cardinals Set For Fireworks At Wrigley Field

The Chicago Cubs are mired in a dreadful season with a lame-duck manager.

The St. Louis Cardinals are fighting to hold off the upstart Cincinnati Reds at the top of the division.

In a mismatch made in baseball hell, the Cubs-Cards rivalry opens up a new page today — and don’t think for one moment this series is not a big deal.

C’mon, today marks the return of Aaron “.185/.224/.242/.466″ Miles.

Even though the Cubs are just playing out the string and counting down the days until Lou Piniella gives his final speech at Clark and Addison, fans attending today’s game against the hated first-place Cardinals should be treated to an offensive onslaught.

In three appearances (two starts), Cubs starter Randy Wells is 0-2 with a 10.13 earned run average in eight innings of work. In his May 21st outing against the Cards, Wells allowed five runs on six hits while failing to record a single out.

Opposing Wells on the bump this afternoon will be Jeff Suppan, proud owner of an 0-5 record and 6.05 ERA split between stints with the Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers.  In two starts against the Cubs this year, both coming while with the Brewers, Suppan was 0-1 with an 8.68 ERA. In 9.1 innings of work, he allowd 16 hits, 10 runs and three home runs.

I mean, if that doesn’t get you psyched for baseball’s best rivalry, I don’t know what will.

And if that doesn’t get it done for you, it’s time to hop along the express and check out the key factors in the National League’s premier rivalry. (more…)

Howard-For-Pujols Isn’t Misguided

What started off as a Buster Olney report saying the Philadelphia Phillies had internal conversations about a swap that would send Ryan Howard to St. Louis in exchange for Albert Pujols turned into “ZOMG! DID U HERE ALBERT PUJOLZ FOR RYNE HOWARD!?!?!?!?!!?”

That is the power (and problem) with the blogosphere.

I’m not sure what part of “internal discussion” turned into “pending trade” to some people, but it did and it mucked up some pretty decent reporting by Olney, who I feel is ESPN’s go-to-guy for news, rumors, notes and information.  His background is with the NY Times for crying out loud, so it’s not as if he’s getting his info from a janitor who happened to come across a crumbled piece of paper in a wastebasket, nor did he likely overheard a fantasy baseball trade proposal.

And while some might brush off the idea of swapping Pujols for Howard, it might not be as misguided as some would make you believe. (more…)