I know there are Cubs fans everywhere, but there was a big cheer that went up in LA for Rizzo's game tying homer late in the 9th. Too bad we couldn't pick up a win.

I don't think the Cubs have won a game since the trades of Dempster and Soto and Maholm. Not really that surprising, so at least they can keep our interest a bit by bringing up Vitters and Jackson. There's no reason not to try at this point.

Jackson went 2-4 today in the 2 spot, and Vitters went 0-1 in a PH role. Rizzo was 2-4.

I wasn't able to watch Vitters, that's a shame. I think we are 0-4 or 0-5 since the deadline, but up until today it wasn't for lack of pitching, which is the bulk of talent we lost.

I didn't know about Baker. At times he was frustrating, but I appreciated having a guy willing to play so many different spots and it seemed like he had some clutch hits here and there this season.

I asked one of the CCO guys, via Twitter, what he thought of Raley's chances of making it to the bigs. He said don't be surprised if it happens Tuesday. I'll still be surprised, but I'd love to see Raley get a look over Coleman.

Rusin's name has been passed around. I don't know much about him.

I think Rusin is somewhat similar to Raley - both lower end of the rotation starters potentially and lefties. Don't think either blows anyone away - more control.

For whatever reason Rusin is more highly regarding, even though Raley has outpitched Rusin in almost every stat category.

[This message has been edited by Theo is a Touchdown (edited 8/6/2012 9:27a).]

i'm annoyed the next couple games aren't on WGN... i'd like to see Vitters get more than 1 AB since it sounds like he's gonna start vs San Diego...

and with those moves, 5 of the 10 guys i saw play for Iowa last week have been called up... Cardenas, Volstad, A Castillo, B-Jax, and Vitters... and it woulda been 6/10 if Welington didn't have the night off that night. i realize the trade deadline played a huge part in the timing, but that's still crazy turn-over in 1 week... they weren't great to begin with, but the I-Cubs must totally suck now.

I get CSN

Brooks Raley has been called up.

And unless you have the MLB Extra Innings package, it doesn't matter. The MLB blackout rules will keep you from watching on CSN.

Pretty exciting to have an Aggie on the Cubs.

Mlb.tv...worth every penny.

Gig 'em Brooks!

Losing streak moves to 8. The Cubs scored 0 runs again despite a good start from Samardzija.

I don't expect to be great, but a few runs would be nice.

Especially when you consider the fact that the only pieces we lost were Reed and Geo. Granted BJax and Vitters have been getting a lot of PT. I think Vitters had one hit in the last series and BJax has been striking out a lot, which is what I'd heard from the writers covering Iowa.

Hey, we won. Volstad had a quality start, but still couldn't get the win.

Rizzo 2-2 w 2 walks

Soriano w 2 R HR in the 8th to take the lead

Castro 2-4 in the 5 spot

Jackson 0-3 w a K

Because of the rain delay I was able to watch the last few innings of the Reds broadcast since the blackout only went until 10:30pm.

Friday's game against the Reds was one of the wildest games I've seen this year. Wind, base running, etc.

Junkhead, what you don't know is that Bud Selig made a deduction from your bank account for the portion of the game you were able to watch.

quote:

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Matt Garza has a stress reaction in the back of his pitching elbow and has been shut down indefinitely, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Garza, who hasn’t pitched since July 21st, could miss the remainder of the season. If he doesn’t return this year, it’ll affect his offseason trade value. However, Cubs GM Jed Hoyer has said he expects the right-hander to be in Chicago’s 2013 rotation.

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--mlbtr.com

Raley sent back to Iowa.

Hey, we won.

quote:

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Hey, we won.

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Meh, we let y'all have this one tonight. Don't get used to it though - we're gonna take it seriously tomorrow!

Looks like Raley may be called back up this weekend to start one game of a DH.

Yeah, I think the Raley move was just to have another bullpen arm between Raley starts. I read somewhere that Saturday's a doubleheader, so they wanted him back for that.

Raley called back up and is starting the night game of today's DH.

I would trade Volstad for a dog. A blind dog, that way the dog doesn't have to see him pitch.

what is the '26th man roster'?

Do you mean the 25-man roster?

http://cubs.mlb.com/team/roster_active.jsp?c_id=chc

during the rain delay yesterday they showed the original broadcast of the 9th inning of Milt Pappas' no hitter with Jack Brickhouse... it would be awesome if in the off season WGN would go ESPN Classic and televise random old games in their entirety just to bring back some old Jack Brickhouse and Harry and Steve. i don't even care if it's just some random game. i wouldn't know the result anyway so it'd be like watching a live game except with throwback lineups and old school crappy graphics. plus... who doesn't want to see Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith dominate again?

That would be cool. Maybe we'll get that someday when the Cubs can start their own network. It has to be better than the crap we're watching now.

Good to see Brett Jackson's bat start to come to life. Although he is only hitting .212 and striking out in almost half of his ABs, he is still managing to get on base at a .325 OBP (a rate higher than Starlin, Soriano and Barney).

Vitters looks like he is struggling a bit, although he has hit quite a few "atem" bombs from what I have seen. Hopefully this is an experience much like Rizzo had last year where he really uses his struggles to turn the corner the following year.

I just wish they'd play Vitters every day. Doesn't make any sense not to at this point.

agree with that, not sure why they don't

Good article from SI on the Castro deal.

http://mlb.si.com/2012/08/28/starlin-castro-cubs-contract/?xid=cnnbin

Darwin Barney set a record today for the most single-season consecutive games at 2nd without an error.

Tweet from Cubs beat writer Bruce Miles:

quote:

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Raley will start today for #Cubs and be shut down after that

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He's hit his innings limit, so hopefully he goes out with a good start leaving a lasting impression on Theo, Jed, and Dale.

Big 3-run rally in the bottom of the 9th to win 12-11. Unfortunately Raley got shelled today. Gave up 7 runs, I believe.