Sports Notes

Cubs
Well it looks like the Cubs will be advancing on to the playoffs. With the Dodgers and Giants facing off six times over the next 10 games there is a high probability that the Cubs will finish ahead of one of these two teams, if not both, to capture the wildcard.

Sure, a lot can still happen. But the Cubs would have to start playing some bad baseball again for them not win the Wild Card. But they are finally playing up to their potential and I don’t see that happening.

Sox
The Sox will try to finish with a .500 record for the 4th straight year (I need to double check this). Mediocrity shouldn’t be a goal, but you think they would be losing 90 games a year for all the criticism they receive.

Bears
The Bears will try to stop the Vikings offense without their two best secondary players, FS Mike Brown and CB P’nut Tillman (not to mention CB Jerry Azumah who has been out since the preseason).

Losing Brown hurts, but Tillman’s loss is much worse. Brown has been a big playmaker on the defense. But it’s a lot easier replacing a safety than a cornerback, especially a number one corner like Tillman.

You can’t hide a cornerback, especially against the Vikings. It might get ugly watching special teams player Todd McMillon and rookie Nathan Vasher trying to replace Tillman.

But the offense should be able to move the ball and prevent this game from becoming a blowout. It would be nice to get a win to go 2-1 before facing the Eagles, but I don’t think its going to happen.

Northwestern
Northwestern will also travle to the Metrodome to open their Big Ten schedule. Northwestern has a horrible defense while the Gophers have a great offense, so this one might also get ugly. I mean 50 points 500 yards ugly.

Illinois
I can guarantee you that Illinois will get their asses pasted when they open their Big Ten schedule this weekend. The sad thing is, I don’t even know who they play.

I'm Back

Ok, I was gone a little bit longer than expected. But I'm back a plan on making daily posts from here on through the elections. Since the Sox seem to be done, I'll probably be posting more on the Bears and politics.

But speaking of the Sox, Mark Buerhle caught a lot of grief from Twins fans (who just obsess over the Sox) for suggesting the Twins only have two good pitchers and will take a quick exit in the playoffs.

Now no Sox player should be talking shit to a team they just lost the division to for the third straight year. But with that said, Buerhle is right.

The Twins think small which is why they probably will make a quick exit in the playoffs. They should have tried to trade for another starter at the deadline. They had minor league assets necessary to go after top players, even ones who weren't necessarily being shopped.

But instead, they were sellers instead of buyers at the deadline, dumping Minky on the Red Sox for a minor leaguer.

Huh? I know the Twins must operate with a heavy emphasis on developing minor league talent but at some point you need to take a chance and go all in. They can't expect to win the division every year. With the Indians and Tigers improving the Central should be more competitive next year and beyond.

And oh yeah, the Sox might be pretty good too. They had a decent year at the gate and should have more revenue coming in through their new cable venture with Comcast. Expect them to be active in the free agent market this year.

Vacation

I probably won't continue regular posting until September 14th. In the meantime, please check out all the Sox blogs on the right, including a new listing, South Side Adventures.

The new site has both game analysis and in depth coverage of the minor leagues making it a welcome addition to the Sox blog army.

Also, if you're in to college basketball, check out a new site aptly named College Basketball.