The Gist: Game 40

The Game: So let me get this straight...the Cubs touch up one of the top 3 pitchers in the league for 7 hits and 4 runs in 4 innings, but we can't beat Shawn Freakin' Estes? What kind of futuristic year 3000 bullshit is this? The mind reels! Either way, the Cubs go into tomorrow with a chance to go 3-1 in this 4 game series, which is something we have to do against the crappy teams.

Welcome Back, Kotter: It's good to see both Ted Lilly and Alfonso Soriano getting things on track. Lilly followed up his 10 strikeout performance last time out with an 11 K effort tonight. And we all know how streaky Mr. Soriano can be, so it's good to see him get on one of his "hot" streaks while Ramirez and Lee quiet down a bit. And these leadoff homers? Fantastic! Anyone who remembers Game 3 of last year's NLDS knows how crushing a leadoff homer can be.

Don't Forget: Geovany Soto - really good.

The Preparation H "Asshole Of The Game": The San Diego lineup. Did you know that Jake Peavy is hitting .333 this season? Did you know that he had the highest average of any Padre in today's lineup? Did you know that there are 0 regular position players on San Diego's team that are hitting above .300? How bad do you have to be to get cut from San Diego's lineup? Speaking of...

Worst. Cub. Ever.: Jim Edmonds is now a Cub and could be playing as soon as tomorrow. Honestly, what can we do? Sure, you can sign a petition, but seriously? I can't just quit being a Cub fan...but I don't feel comfortable rooting for Jim Edmonds. I hate everything about him. And you just know that Piniella is going to play him all the goddamn time.

How sad is it that to this day, I still have a hard time criticizing Jim Hendry because of how successfully he raped Pittsburgh in 2003? Speaking of, wouldn;t Kenny Lofton be a better signing than Jim Edmonds?