Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Nationals - 08/24/08

post from ChicagoCubsOnline.com on 24 August 2008 11:00:00 AM. © ChicagoCubsOnline.com

Game One Hundred Thirty: Cubs (79-50) vs. Nationals (46-84)
Game Time - 1:20pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 184
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Rich Harden (8-2, 2.04/1.08, 3-1, 1.50/0.95) vs. Jason Bergmann (2-9, 4.50/1.37)

The Cubs have a chance today to accomplish a feat the organization has not been able to do since 1937 and that is win eight consecutive series. Lou Piniella will send Rich Harden to the mound in not only the rubber game of the series against the Nationals but in the rubber game of the homestand. The Cubs won 2 of 3 against the Reds and a victory today would give the Cubs a 4-2 homestand.

The Cubs' staff became the first in the majors to reach the 1,000 strikeout mark on the season on Saturday and figure to add to the 1,004 k's they have notched so far this season with Harden on the mound today. The Cubs have led the league in strikeouts in every season since 2001.

After leaving in the 7th inning on Saturday, Derrek Lee's status for today's game is uncertain at best. Reports indicated heat was applied to Lee's upper back spasms in order to try to get him on the field today. Look for Daryle Ward or super-sub Mark DeRosa at first base today.

According to several reports, Lou Piniella is planning on talking to Kosuke Fukudome before this afternoon's game. The Cubs need Fukudome to start hitting again and Piniella thinks Fukudome is "in-between". Piniella said Kosuke is "behind on the fastball and slightly ahead on the breaking ball" and one of the two have to be hit with consistency. Fukudome is a key down the stretch for the Cubs, along with Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano. The Cubs need Fukudome to perform somewhere in between his incredible start and his struggles in July....

In other news.... It appears Angel Guzman will be one of the players called up when the rosters expand on September 1st. According to a report on Cubs.com, Guzman will be eligible to come off the DL at the completion of his 30-day rehab assignment next Monday. If Guzman is one of the September call-ups a 40-man roster move will be required. The Cubs 40-man roster currently stands at 38 and many reports are suggesting Koyie Hill will be called up as a reward for a good season at Iowa and his loyalty to the organization. Hill's put together a very good season in Triple-A and deserves, for more than one reason, to be with the Cubs down the stretch. If Hill is added to the 40-man, that would leave one spot in order for the Cubs to activate Guzman from the 60-day DL.

Micah Hoffpauir and Felix Pie appear to be the other locks for a call-up next week as well as Jon Lieber being activated from the DL. The report on Cubs.com indicated the organization could promote players from Double-A to help the I-Cubs in the playoffs while players such as Pie, Hoffpauir and Hill are sent to Chicago to help with the bigger organizational goal.