SAN DIEGO — The Cubs are checking both the National League Central and the Wild Card standings these days, and at this point, it doesn’t matter which one they finish on top of.
They close their three-game series in San Diego on Wednesday in need of a win before heading up Interstate 5 to face the West-leading Dodgers. Chicago is six games back in the Central, and five games back in the Wild Card standings.
“I don’t think you need to separate either of the two,” Lou Piniella said, when asked if the team needed to win one or the other.
“Obviously, the Cardinals are playing as well as anybody,” Piniella said. “If you’re playing well in one, you’ll be competing in the other.”
Playing well is the key. Wednesday continues the Cubs swing through a tough 24-day stretch which began on July 31 and finds them on the road for 17 of the 22 games. They’re batting .268 at Wrigley Field, averaging five runs per game, and have a 35-22 record. On the road, the Cubs are hitting .242 and they’re 25-35.
“What we need to do is win some baseball games and we need to put a streak together,” Piniella said. “We haven’t had one in a long, long time. Are we capable of it? Yeah, we’re capable of it. We can’t continue to lose these games that seemingly are won. We’ll see what happens.”
He was referring to Monday’s game, which the Cubs lost 4-1, as the Padres scored four runs in the ninth off Kevin Gregg. That prompted Piniella to name Carlos Marmol as the new closer, replacing Gregg.
“We needed to try a different approach,” Piniella said. “We’ve been very patient, if you want to use that word. We’ve lost some tough, tough ballgames. Marmol deserves an opportunity, so we’re going to give him that chance.”
|
Personalized Mini Birth Announcement Baseball Bat
$14.99 |
|
A'S JASON GIAMBI SIGNED OMLB BASEBALL COA
$49.99 |
|
Cinch Baseball Hat/Rodeo/PRCA
$10.00 |
|
New Louisville Slugger YBLS Youth Baseball Bat 29/22 -7
$11.99 |
|
TIMELESS TREASURES FOOTBALL BASEBALL SPORTS FABRIC
$4.95 |
|
Wooden Baseball Bat - Solid Maple Wood, 34"
$0.99 |
|
Louisville Slugger TPX Dynasty CBXD Baseball Bat 33/30
$249.95 |
|
STAR WARS- ANAKIN BACKPACK EUC + BASEBALL HAT NM
$2.99 |
|
Wooden Baseball Bat - Solid Maple Wood, 34"
$0.99 |
|
mlb baseball MILWAUKEE BREWERS JJ HARDY wall plaque C
$0.99 |
|
Wooden Baseball Bat - Solid Maple Wood, 34"
$0.99 |
|
Wooden Baseball Bat - Solid Maple Wood, 34"
$0.99 |
|
1988 starting lineup baseball cards(open)
$17.59 |
|
DISPLAY CASE STAND BASEBALL FOOTBALL HOCKEY JERSEY BLCK
$179.90 |
|
MLB DELUXE Acrylic Baseball BATTING HELMET Display Case
$64.90 |
|
Wooden Baseball Bat - Solid Maple Wood, 34"
$0.99 |
|
Louisville TPX Omaha XT Stiff CBXS Baseball Bat 34/31
$269.95 |
|
Super Mario Bros Cosplay Baseball Costume Hat Cap White
$2.99 |
|
Wooden Baseball Bat - Solid Ash Wood, 29"
$0.99 |
|
TEXAS RANGERS ANDREW JONES SIGNED OMLB BASEBALL COA
$79.99 |
|
Ball Cap Washer - Safely Clean Your Cap In The Washing Machine or Dishwasher (White) (12H x 8.5W x 4.5D)
$3.89 You've got the hat for your favorite team, but by the end of the season - it's looking pretty rough! Washing your cap used to mean the cap was guaranteed to lose its shape - no more! With this Ball Cap Washer, you can easily clean, dry, shape and store your favorite baseball caps and hats. Simply place your cap inside the Ball Cap Washer, and you're ready to wash your hat in the washing machine... |
|
CapRack 36 (Black) (60 H x 4 W x 4.5 D)
$19.95 Display a total of 36 caps on this versatile over-the-door cap rack! The 5-foot cord allows multiple placement options, while the innovative clips can be spaced anywhere along the cord, for unlimited display options. This hat rack may be hung over a door, on a wall, looped over a closet rod, and even hung from the ceiling. Use it in the living room, bedroom, den, or garage - it's also perfect f... |
|
CapRack18 - Baseball Cap Holder (Black) (76.5H x 1W x 0.2D)
$10.29 The CapRack18 is the ideal way to store a multitude of baseball and sport caps. The ingenious two row style CapRack 18 holds 18 caps. Each hook holds one cap. The caps face front, so you can show your pride in your home team - even when you're not at the game. The CapRack 18 prevents caps from getting crushed, or losing their shape. Each row of the CapRack 18 can be hung over a door (it fits both ... |
|
Baseball the Ripken Way DVD 3-Pack
$35.99 Studio: Arts Alliance America Release Date: 01/06/2009... |
|
Volume 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails
$10.98 Rock n' roll vets Scott McCaughey (The Minus 5, R.E.M., Young Fresh Fellows) and Steve Wynn (The Dream Syndicate, Gutterball, Danny & Dusty, Miracle 3) have an unhealthy love for music undermined only by an even more unhealthy love of baseball. The compatriots blend their two passions with The Baseball Project -- Volume 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails, an album of buzzing guitars and baseball bac... |