Why can’t we play the rest of the season at Wrigley?
The Cubs were back where they belonged, playing an afternoon game at Wrigley Field. And as they’ve done 19 other times this season, they won a game, this time a 3-1 win over the Dodgers.
Chicago is now 20-8 at home this season and its no surprise the Cubs played so well on the first game back from a poor 2-4 road trip.
Ryan Dempster put on a clinic, going seven strong innings and giving up just one run off seven hits. He was tested in the sixth inning with one out and the bases loaded, but Dempster got out of the jam and preserved the Cubs’ one-run lead at the time. Dempster told reporters after the game that the confidence he gained from getting out of this jam will will serve him well late in the season. It should. Considering he’s the won that made the grand World Series prediction, he’ll need to have his A-game in September.
Derrek Lee continues to do what he does best and that’s drive in runs. Lee (1-for-4) hit a two-run home run in the first inning to give Chicago a lead it never let go. Not to be outdone, Aramis Ramirez (2-for-4) provided the Cubs with a bit of insurance in the eighth inning with a home run of his own, this one a solo shot.
Jim Edmonds (1-for-3) continues to disappoint at the plate and he hasn’t made a highlight reel catch since his over the shoulder gem in Houston. The lefty “slugger” is now battiing .173 and there is no doubt in my mind that the Cubs management is questioning bringing Edmonds in at the expense of Felix Pie.
