The Sun-Times runs down the moves that made the 2007 national League Central Division Champion Chicago Cubs possible,
Chicago Cubs: September 2007 Archives
YOUR 2007 NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL DIVISION CHAMPION CHICAGO CUBS
With their victory tonight and the Brewers' loss to San Diego, the Cubs have clinched it. Their last division title came in 2003. The four-year interval is, believe it or not, the fewest season between Cub playoff appearances in my lifetime.
Carlos Zambrano came through in a big game, delivering 7 strong innings of shut-out ball.
Alfonso Soriano set a major league record with his sixth lead-off homerun in the month of September. He also tied Ernie Banks' Cub record of 13 homeruns in the month of September.
The Cubs can rest up for a few games. Division series pay starts early next week. It's not clear who the Cubs will be playing, since the other two divisions and the NL wild card are all up in the air.
Here's where I wish I were partying tonight!
Mama-Lu on Kerry Wood's clutch performances:
Wood was always the best at getting himself out of jams. He kept it together better than Zambrano, but he got into more trouble than Prior.
Kerry Wood had another brilliant relief stint yesterday, coming in with bases loaded and no outs and escaping with a strikeout and double play ball. He stayed in for another inning, and after a one-out base hit off of his foot follwed by a walk, Wood again escaped on a double play ball. He hit 97 on the radar gun yesterday and had good movement on his fastball.
I continue to think Lou is prepping Wood for serious post-season duty. If our starting pitching stays as shaky as it's been early on, we're going to need strong middle relief. Right now, I'm feeling good abour Wood being that guy.
That is, if we can make it to the playoffs...
Magic Number: 2
GO CUBS!
The Cubs' combined stats for the three game series sweep that just ended:
Hitting:
30 R 45 H 9 HR .391 BA 0 Errors
The starting pitching was spotty the first two games, but the bullpen was solid the whole series against a good offensive team and today Carlos Zambrano finally gave a good starting effort. Note also that Kerry Wood pitched two innings with a large lead. I'm thinking Lou Piniella is getting him ready for serious post-season duty.
Oh, and incase you forgot, I said this in August:
[Leadership] was the most important thing about the Soriano pick-up (note how their biggest stumble since early June came when he went down). He gave the team a defining character (which is also why it was important to put him in the lead-off spot and in left field when he faltered in the 5-slot and in center field). When he comes back, this team is not going to look back, even if he's not 100%.
Cubs record since Soriano came back: 16-10
Soriano in that time: .293 BA 13 HR 23 RBI 19 R
Magic Number: 4!
Feeling the heat of the pennant race? Is every game, every pitch as exciting as 2003? Well, here's some news to make your spine tingle:
As reported on mlb.com:
Prior plays catch at Friendly Confines
That's right, the one-time "future of the franchise" can finally play catch!
Snark aside - go Cubbies! I wish I could watch all the games fom work!
