Lets try it again Rich

Well with the sudden injuries to Sean Marshall and Carlos Marmol, the Cubs are looking to Rich Hill as they open a four-game series against the Cards this weekend at Wrigley. Hill, who struggled mightily back in May has been lights-out at AAA Iowa, posting a 7-1 record with a 1.80 ERA and 135 strikeouts in 15 starts. At this point there's really not much more for Hill to do in Des Moines. Hopefully today marks the day Rich finally gets over the hump and takes the next step to the bigs.

Facing the Cubs today on the mound for the Cards is Jeff Weaver, who was recently picked out of the dumpster behind Angel Stadium. The Cubs have done well against St. Louis this season, and we'll see if they can tee off of Weaver like the rest of the league has done this year.

How about Mark Prior yesterday? No hits, no runs in 5 2/3 innings pitched? Makes you feel better about his prospects through the rest of this year. I wouldn't say 'greatly optimistic'. Lets just go with 'slightly less pessimistic'. That sounds good.

But alas, the effort was spoiled by the Cubs offensive impotence yesterday. John Maine baffled them over 7 innings, striking out 7 and scattering 3 hits. Why do the Cubs seemingly get dumbfounded anytime they face a fresh new rookie pitcher? You'd think a centaur was pitching to them as mystified as they seem.

And lastly, WGN 720's Pat Hughes mentioned something that further proves why Tim McCarver is on our "Most Wanted" list. Apparently Tim said on a recent FOX broadcast, that John Maine was the only MLB player to have a last name that was also a U.S. state. Pat was quick to point out that McCarver must've forgot about every player named Washington that's ever played the game. The lesson as usual, Tim McCarver is an idiot.















Oh and who can forget Steve Nebraska?