Come to Think of it...Cubs Finish Out Strange Day by Beating Brewers

On a day in which a player hit a home run but never scored, I guess nothing should surprise us.  And these games don't really matter to the Cubs anyway. So why do I write about it?

Well, for one, it had a playoff atmosphere. And you find out about certain players under such intense circumstances. Better to find out now, I guess.

Ronny Cedeno does not have good baseball instincts and can't handle the pressure. Not just because he dropped a catchable pop up in the eighth inning Saturday against the Brewers. There have been other clues, as well, over the years, which is partly why he has never been a starter in this league.

Also, as bad as Bob Howry has been, do we really want to see Jason Marquis come out of the bullpen in the playoffs? If today was any indication, probably not.

Lou and Jim Hendry have some decisions to make. Do you keep Hoffpauir, who can hit but basically serves the same purpose as Daryle Ward, who is the veteran? And, as we saw on Friday, playing Micah anywhere other than first base is a detriment to your defense.

With Gaudin likely not ready, we need someone to step up in that bullpen. You can't pitch Marmol and Wood every day.  But who do we really have that's reliable at this point? The Cubs bullpen needs help? How strange.

On a day when a professional soccer team signed a nine year old, Ted Lilly took a no-hitter into the sixth inning. The last time he pitched at Miller Park he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning. Against the Astros. Huh? That's kooky, isn't it?

Despite a rough start to the season, Lilly finished with 17 wins. He's pitching well but will only start in the first round if there is no sweep. The Cubs have too much starting pitching? How strange.

Fukudome finally hit his tenth homer of the season, but should he start in the playoffs? I say no way, I'd go with DeRosa in right, and Fontenot at second against a right-handed pitcher. Two right fielders? That's weird.

In the end, the Brewers clawed back late but their five game win streak was snapped. With the Mets win, they are now tied for the wild card lead. If they end that way, Milwaukee will have to travel to Shea stadium for a one game playoff on Monday. Bizarre.

The Phillies clinched the NL East on Saturday, so one of the two teams will go home. But first, let's go back to the homer that wasn't.

It seems instant replay overturned a call for only the second time since it was implemented last month. Benjie Molina hit what was ruled to be a single and was promptly replaced by a pinch-runner. But the ball had green paint from the roof on it, so the umps looked at reply and decided it was indeed a home run. Molina never scored. Crazy stuff.

On a strange day that saw screen legend Paul Newman pass away, college football's Florida Gators stunned at home, and Michigan State convert a nine point play, the Cubs beat the Brewers 7-3. Strange days, indeed. Especially on a day when I can't even come to think of it...