Notes and Such

Any radio listeners out there stick it out through the end of the game last night? I found it amusing that the post-game show after 18 innings was brought to you by Marathon.

I'm surprised this isn't making news anywhere else, but the Cubs-Astros singleheader wasn't even the only 18-inning game in the National League last night. So why was I Gamecasting Arizona and Colorado through 18 innings, after five-plus hours of watching Cub relievers squeak through extra-inning after extra-inning that all seemed to involve Astro hitters getting on base and being stranded there?

'Cause it ain't over yet, folks.

The Cubs are the only NL team that's not leading a division to have won more than half of its last 10 games. They've gained between one and three games on everyone in the NL Wild Card race. Seeing as how 10 teams are within six games of the lead in the NL, they simply can't all win. And if the teams at the top can cool off, the Cubs could slide into that pack in a manner of days. If the Cubs continue this year's domination of the Cardinals, that might come sooner than later.

Here's something to consider: The Cubs now have the NL Central's best inter-divisional record. Yes, they've been pounded by the East, the West and the AL, but they're also seven over .500 against the division they face in most of their remaining games. And there's still a mathematical possibility that a sub-.500 team can walk off with a playoff spot.

Meanwhile the newest of the new kids, Ryan O"Malley, is making his MLB debut this afternoon, scoreless through three innings. He got the call when the Cubs placed Scott Eyre on the 15-day DL. Eyre tweaked a hammie while chasing after a dribbler to the right side. I wish someone had told him at the beginning of the season, "Scottie, any ball hit to the first-base side, don't leave the mound." A strategic nightmare, to be sure, but it would have saved the Cubs a lot of trouble this year.