article
110
7
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2009-07-02T17:30:00-04:00
Playerpress
Yes
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<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">It is a new month and after the Cubs June swoon record of 11-14<span class="GramE">, <span style=""> </span>along</span> with numerous players on the disabled list to go along with two four-game losing streaks, July is here and the Cubs time is now!</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The Cubs play its last 11 games before the All-Star break at Wrigley Field. In addition, they will be playing the Brewers and the Cardinals, two teams who currently lead them in the division standings. The time is now for the Cubs to get back in the race and show that they belong.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style=""> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This will be the longest home stand of the season for the Cubs, and the fact that they are playing some important division rivalries only makes it that much more important. It will be good to be home again for the Cubs, where they still have a winning record. They have been dominating at Wrigley Field, with a home record of 21-13, which is the third-best home record in the National League. The Cubs also have a four game winning streak at Wrigley. They ended the last home stand with a sweep of the Cleveland Indians on the weekend of June 19-21.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Their road record is something less to <span class="GramE">be desired</span> that is for sure, going 3-7 on their most recent road trip. <span class="GramE">And</span> that was after salvaging the trip with a series win over the Pittsburgh Pirates after starting the trip 1-6.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">However, even with all of the Cubs injuries and below .500 record at this time, they are still only 3.5 games out of first place. With a four game series against the Brewers this weekend and a four game series against the Cardinals next weekend, the Cubs have a wonderful chance to turn it around and start to take control.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Of course, if they do not play well, these eleven games could technically put an end to any hopes at all. Now is the time for the Cubs!</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">"I kept saying all along that our job is just to say close," Piniella said. "Certainly here over the next two weeks we can make up some nice ground, or we can stay the same. <span class="GramE">Hopefully,</span> we won't lose much or won't lose any. Our job is to stay close, and hopefully, we'll get hot at home."</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Shortstop Ryan <span class="SpellE"><span class="GramE">Theriot</span></span><span class="GramE"><span style=""> </span>understands</span> how important this home stand is for the Cubs, but he does not think that the season is on the line depending the outcome.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">"You got to keep in mind it is right before the All-Star break, which means there's half a season left," <span class="SpellE">Theriot</span> said. "There's a lot of baseball to play, and a lot of things can happen. Although it is extremely important and we'll try to do our best to get back in this thing, it's not the end of the world."</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">First basemen Derrick Lee, who has been the hottest Cubs hitter of late with a 22 game hitting streak, knows the Cubs are still in <span class="GramE">the race and how important these upcoming games could be</span>.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">"We're definitely in the race, we're not out of it," Lee said. "It's always fun playing teams in your division, you can make up ground. It'd be nice to finish at home and try to finish up strong going into the break."</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A big addition will happen on Monday when Cubs third basemen <span class="SpellE">Aramis</span> Ramirez will be back in the lineup after a rehab stint with the Peoria Chiefs this weekend. Ramirez has been on the Disabled List since May 9 with a dislocated <span class="GramE">shoulder which</span> happened when he dove to his right for a ground ball down the third base line against the Brewers in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Milwaukee</st1:city></st1:place>.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Before his injury, Ramirez was hitting .364 with <span class="GramE">four</span> home runs and 16 RBIs in only 18 games. During his last two games prior to the injury, Ramirez went 5-for-8 with a home run and two RBIs. Last season he led the Cubs with 111 RBIs.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Despite the potent <span class="GramE">offense</span> that Ramirez brings to the team, his teammates made sure that it was understood that they will not put pressure on him to return to form right away.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">"I don't expect him to be in midseason form, but he's a type of hitter that changes your lineup when he gets in it," Ryan <span class="SpellE">Theriot</span> said. "We definitely welcome him back and are excited to have him. We need him. He's a big piece of the puzzle."</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Ramirez has been taking batting practice and said that he was experiencing normal soreness because he has not swung a bat in about two months, and that it was nothing to be concerned about.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">During Tuesday's game Piniella talked with Ramirez about people's expectations for when he comes back.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">"I said, 'Look, you don't need to come over here and carry or be a savior or anything else. You just be yourself,' <span class="GramE">" Piniella</span> said. "I think his presence in the lineup will make people around him better. <span class="GramE">Don't</span> expect to come over here and have to drive in five runs a game for us. Just <span class="GramE">be</span> yourself and I think that's going to give us a big left in itself."</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Having Ramirez back will be huge for the Cubs. They have had so many different lineups because of injuries and the massive amount of players on the <span class="GramE">DL,</span> it is amazing that they are still in the race at all at this point.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In addition, manager Lou Piniella looked back in form on Wednesday when he stormed out of the dugout to argue a call at first base. He argued the call with the first base <span class="GramE">umpire,</span> threw his cap on the ground and was promptly ejected for the first time since July 26, 2008. <span class="GramE">Atta boy Lou!</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Eleven games to go before the All-Star break and the Cubs could make a charge while making a statement at the same time. Being only 3.5 games behind and playing two of the teams in front of them in the standings, there is actually the possibility the Cubs could be in first place at the break. However, if they do not play well, they could also be in last place at the break and totally broken.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The Cubs Time is NOW!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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2009-07-02T17:30:00-04:00
cubs-time-is-now
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Chicago Cubs, Aramis Ramirez, Wrigley Field, Brewers, Cardinals
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Cubs Time is Now!
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