This is commentary from last night’s game with the Cardinals. The Cubs are mired in their worst stretch of the year:

Okay…my Cubs bias really tends to show, but it’s been a rough week for me professionally and leisurely. The Cubs are in their first slump of the year and yesterday’s debacle against the Brewers did not help matters. (we won’t comment on work….) So, while it’s Derby weekend, I could give a rat’s behind. I want to concentrate on one of Baseball’s best rivalry: Cubs vs. Cardinals.

I won’t claim that the Cubs-Cardinals is the sport’s best; it’s not. But don’t tell that to the parties involved. My favorite baseball memory inovolved a nationally televised game in 1984 when Ryno Legend hit his infamous homeruns off of Bruce Sutter to keep the Cubs in the game. There have have tense moments recently, like when Dusty Doofus and Tony LaRussa looked like they would kill each other a couple of years back. It’s an intense rivalry and I’m psyched they’re playing this weekend. Oh, by the way…first place is on the line.

It’s early in the game, but interesting things have already happened. Rich Hill can’t find the plate; Carlos Zambrano gets a pinch hit single. Speaking of Zambrano, it’s truly amazing he has already tied Fergie Jenkins (in half of the at-bats) for career homeruns by a Cubs pitcher with 14. And such a terrible waste Kerry Wood blew his gem yesterday. I have to say Zambrano has been terrific and if not for Arizona’s Brandon Webb, Zambrano would getting the press for his hot start.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since that magical 1998 season. We know about Kerry Wood’s 20 K gem against Houston; Sammy Sosa’s 20 HR month in June. But the McGwire vs. Sosa HR race caught the imagination of the baseball world. Because this is the Cubs-Cards rivalry post, I will forever be sickened that McSteroid not only broke the record, but hit his landmark homerun against the Cubbies. I think I was the only one in America that was not moved by the moment. And don’t forget about the playoff against the Giants that enabled the Cubs to reach the playoffs. Interesting that two of the landmark moments of that ’98 season involved three suspicious charcters: Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds. Makes you wonder, eh?

John Leiber auditioned for a spot in the rotation by piching nearly four innings tonight. With Rich Hill out of control, will Captain Lou make a change? It’s probably not a good idea to ask.

Nor would it be a good idea to ask why Alfonso Soriano did not do a rehab assignment before he came back off of the DL. Again, it’s interesting that the Cubs seemed better when Soriano was on the DL than off… His hitting timing is obviously off, but his fielding is worse. Did anyone catch the chicanery yesterday against Milwaukee and in 7th inning tonight? It’s painful television…I think Pinella gets grilled big time tonight…as should Soriano. If they had the DH in the NL…Oh God…the Cubs have now put in Bob Howry…this could be ugly. And it was (see above). Have I said how much Soriano is killing us??

The Cubs have had a bases loaded situation 13 games in a row and tonight’s situation ended badly…like Happy Hour, the Cubs leave ‘em loaded in the eight inning…is the SI jinx in place??

Holy Harry Carry…Soriano gives me a classic Cubs-Cards moment with a two run redemption homerun in the ninth to tie…WOW!!!

This was not intended to be a live blog, but as the game evolved, why the hell not? The Happy Hour has been extended to a nightcap and as this game is now in extra innings, this could be fun. Good to see Kerry Wood bounce back from Thursday’s disaster…he’s growing into his new role and relief pitchers are expected to take bumps. Kerry has taken and will take more before it’s all said and done…

How about Chad Fox? First game in three years after an injury…Unfortunately, not enough in the tank in the 11th as the Cubs lose

Please take the time to answer my poll question. I could almost consider this my rivalry weekend. Maybe next time we can throw in an all sports rivalry question. Send in your suggestions!

Go Cubs!