Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Brewers - 07/04/09

post from ChicagoCubsOnline.com on 04 July 2009 11:30:00 AM. © ChicagoCubsOnline.com

Game Seventy-Eight: Cubs (39-38) vs. Brewers (42-38)
Game Time - 12:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 175
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Rich Harden (5-4, 4.57/1.40) vs. Braden Looper (6-4, 4.90/1.40)

Happy 4th of July from the CCO!

Weather permitting ... Will Soriano or Fuld his lead off for the Chicago Cubs this afternoon? Following the Cubs walk-off win on Friday, Lou Piniella said the Cubs would be making adjustments to the lineup. Dave Kaplan reported his sources indicated Soriano would be in the lineup, hitting sixth against the Brewers today ... possibly with Sam Fuld in the top spot in either center or right field. Milton Bradley has only one hit in eight-career at bats against Braden Looper (a home run) while Kosuke Fukudome is 5-for-16 with a double and a home run ... it might be a good time to give Bradley a day off.

The Cubs enter play today two and a half games back of the Cardinals, third place in a very tight NL Central ... five teams are within four games of the top spot.

The Cubs are on the verge of several roster moves. Aramis Ramirez and Reed Johnson are expected to be activated on Monday. The Cubs will have to send down two players and the speculation is Mike Fontenot could be one of those players. Kevin Hart appears to be the odd man out when Angel Guzman returns. Andres Blanco has impressed the Cubs with his glove and his bat. Blanco gives the team a legitimate backup at short and has shown more offense than Fontenot of late. Paul Sullivan mentioned during Sports Central Friday night that either Micah Hoffpauir or Sam Fuld could be sent down when Ramirez is activated.