Baseball In The Daytime: 7-11-08

Well, we made it to Friday, and the existence of this writing means that the Cubs are at home. We'll preview the game after the jump, but I want to first approach a touchy subject concerning these Chicago Nationals:

It is possible for a blogger to jinx a team?

Every time I mention the Cubs' better-than-average chances of winning the World Series, either on this site or in barroom banter, a fan will tell me to zip it. You can't talk about it.

I am in full agreeance that there's a protocol to playing the game, and section of those unwritten bylaws cover the superstition of the jinx. You shouldn't talk to a pitcher throwing a no-hitter. Cubs players should not discuss the Series, or the playoffs, or any future baseball beyond this afternoon's game with the Giants.

Now this business of stepping on the foul lines is a personal matter. I personally try not to, but I'm not obsessive about it. Those freaks that make a big show about leaping over them and muttering voodoo into their mitts--I really don't want those guys housesitting for me.

What, though, is wrong with a broadcaster, or a mainstream writer, or an unlicensed hack such as myself, or a dude in the stands, or a half ass fan at a 7-Eleven discussing the very real possibility that the Chicago Cubs could win it all? Does this really affect their fortunes?

For most teams you'd of course say no. What do curses, history and superstition have to do with the Rays, the Marlins, the Braves or Brewers? But as someone who lived a lifetime following a team that could not win for 86 years and failed painfully many times on the way--I get it. You don't want to bring it up, not necessarily to avoid a jinx but to temper the pain if they fail again.

So you won't see Cecil writing this piece soon, or ever. I, however, unencumbered by the tragic weight of this franchise, can say with ease that there's no reason Chicago can't claim the championship hardware. No reason at all.

Rich Harden definitely helps, but the odds of him staying healthy through October are marginal. Put the razors down, there are plenty of others who can step up. Ryan Dempster and Ted Lilly are solid and capable, and even Jason Marquis is a veteran who might aid in a postseason run.

The bullpen is lights out, best in the game. Even though Carlos Marmol has been shaky lately, I'm worried about Bobby Howry's workload and Kerry Wood is Kerry Wood, it's a strength.

What I love about the lineup is its versatility. Being able to move guys like Fontenot, Theriot and DeRosa around the field and up and down the order is a blessing to Lou Piniella, and Ramirez and Lee seem steady enough to avoid major slumps. The best part about making the World Series, Cubs fans, is the opportunity to play Alfonso Soriano at DH up to four times--your defense just got better!

San Francisco @ Chicago Cubs, 12:20 Mountain This start might have gone to Sean Gallagher, but the young righty now toils in Oakland as he was the centerpiece of the Harden deal. So instead Marquis gets the nod and tries to match zeroes with Matt Cain. I'd venture that this one gets the full WGN national broadcast, but I'm way, way too lazy to actually look that up. Go nuts. And Play Ball!