I saw this on MLB.com:

Link

I don't find this to be a surprise.  I think Z is our best and most dependable starter.  As has been evidenced over the years, especially w/his no-hit game last season, he can bring the best stuff in the league on a given night.  He's still young, and I think that has caused him to lapse on the mound sometimes, but I'm hoping he breaks through this year.

My questions to all of you:

Projections for Z or the rest of the rotation?

What do you think of Harden (maybe best stuff on the staff, but an injury liability) being number 4 to start the year?  I like this because I think it will allow for more flexibility with him if he needs an extra day or needs to skip a start.

Man, I can't WAIT for this season - I'm nervous, but optimistic.  Viva Los Cubs!

I live in Boston working for Zipcar, but I'm a UO alum and devoted blazer fan. It wasn't too lonely, as my fiancee and I met two guys from portland (one wearing an old 'Sheed jersey, which I had to laugh about). And here are my observations:

1. Garden vs. Garden - the "TD Whatever-thing" garden sounded like a purring kitten (which is what KG looked like when he got down on all fours) compared to the Rose Garden

2. Fans - don't get me wrong, celtics fans were dishing it out ALL night - but it was friendly trash talk and they could take it from us as well. Pretty much everyone said "don't sweat - good young team, it'll be your turn soon." I thought the fans were pretty cool, except for a select few in the rafters who for some reason kept dryly chanting "Oden"

3. The Game - no doubt that the celtics "D" is swarming. Green shirts everywhere. AMAZING that they never foul (scoff). Seriously, every celtic fan in my section admitted that "the calls will go our way all night." They KNEW because apparently, all the refs at celtic games are wearing green under their zebra stripes. But I will say both teams, when on, were extremely fun to watch and I saw repeated indications that this may turn into a heated, hate-filled rivalry despite the differences in geography.

Finally, this team is growing and I expect that by the end of the year they will be pretty damn dominant. We can get THAT good, this year. Anyways, thought I'd share a little insight on the personal experience of being there, and would love to hear everyone's thoughts on the game. Also, bayless looked good in the 4th - it was fun to see him get in there (glad he's waiting in the wings - we're a really deep team). double ps...oden's 6th fould, to quote the celtic fan next to me..."that is like, the worst call ever."

Thought this was pretty interesting:

http://hotstove.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/11/braves_no_longer_actively_purs.html

Does this mean that the cubs are now the front runners?  What a rotation we would have if we can somehow land peavy and demp!  Anyways, I don't want to speculate or anything, but I'm interested in everyone's take on what this means for a Peavy trade moving forward - thoughts?

P.S. - if what Kerry has said in light of his leaving the Cubs is how he really feels, I am SO MAD at Hendry...

Haven't seen or heard anything else about this, they just reported it on cubs central postgame show.

Can't imagine too many people will be sad to see him go.  While I think he is a capable sports writer, I think most share my opinion that he has long been unfairly hostile towards the cubs and cubs fans - especially poking fun at the 100-yr World Series situation...whatever.  I'd like to see everyone's thoughts on Jay and his decision to leave Chicago.

Good luck i guess, jay, and here's to positive enforcement for our Cubbies!  Whan an INSANE GAME TONIGHT!!!! 14-9, wow...

WOW!  wasn't this fun?!  Going into Milwaukee, our cubbies had a precarious 1 game lead over the surging brew crew.  We had been swinging quiet bats, and were facing the oh-so-hyped Co-Aces CC and Sheets.  Well, we knocked 'em around and got 4 GREAT great pitching performances.  Here are some enjoyable crooked numbers and highlights:

Lilly/Z/Demp/Rich:  4-0, 31 IP, 5 ER, 34K, 4BB

CC/Sheets/Parra/Bush:  0-3, 24.2 IP, 20 ER, 15K, 8BB

Outscored Brewers 31-11

Leave town with a 5 GAME LEAD over the suds, who are now 1/2 game behind the cards (pending game tonight) in 3rd place!

Oh, and notorious cub killer Jason Bay wont be at wrigley tomorrow!  What a wonderful week to be a Cubs fan!  Feel free to come up with more crooked numbers from this series, statheads, and share them with us.  GO CUBS!!!