I won't go as far as Boxer as to make it a DUMP game ![[Wink]](images/icons/wink.gif){kind=icon}
but I am gonna definately up my normal wager on this one. First off, most everyone out there is still enamored with Wood, but I'll tell ya one thing - he is not the same pitcher that first came into the bigs. Being from Chicago, I read about this guy all the time. He's having big mental problems on the mound now. His control is way off. His last couple of starts (which I watched) were painful. It's in his head now. Second, the cubs are just BAD. There defense sucks, and they have no bullpen (losing Gordon and Farnsworth really hurt). The little bit of offense they showed last night was an aberration. Sosa always hits well off of Jones. Otherwise they can't put it together when they need it. Again, it's in their heads. The way the talk in the newspapers here makes you think they were already ready to end this season. And Baylor is on the way out. Third, they are going up agains't one of the best pitchers out there right now - Tomko. He's allowed only 5 earned runs over his last 5 starts. He's got great control, and he's only a few strikeouts behind Wood, who's supposed to be one of the best at it. Yeah, I know, his career record agains't the cubs is 1-3 with a 4.07, but he's showing this year to be a LOT better. All in all:
1. Wood isn't as good as the public thinks. His control is gone.
2. Tomko is one of the best out there.
3. Cubbies offense is nowhere to be found.
4. Cubbies defense and bullpen (which SD will get
to tonight) are horrible.
5. SD plays extremely well at home.
6. Cubbies always play terrible on the west coast.
7. The line is VERY reasonable.
With that, San Diego will easily handle the Cubs tonite. Here's hoping it plays out the way it should! Good luck! <img border="0" title="" alt="" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />