The ever increasing in popularity "The Other 15%" podcast is now available. Respect the podcasters at your own risk.

Exceeding expectations is a wonderful thing. A 3-3 roadtrip would have sufficed and a 4-2 road trip would have been a very nice accomplishment given this team's road success this season.But 5-1? Godd work guys. Props to Reed Johnson for getting four hits, three of which were off right handed pitchers. He's going to need to have performances like this in October for the Cubs to have a long playoff run.

Time for some good, Soriano hate. As long as I'm getting ripped for it, I might as well earn it.Alfonso Soriano may have been hitting of late, but he's still an infuriating player to have to watch. Yesterday, Alfonso thought he hit another homer. As has been his style, he stood there to watch the ball and pose. A few days ago against the Brewers, he was nearly thrown out at second after jogging while watching a ball bounce off the wall.

The Cubs have only 44 games left in the regular season. Of those 44 games, only 19 are left at Wrigley Field and none of the final 7 games. Yes, the team has leads of 8, 9, and 12 games in the loss column over St. Louis, New York and Los Angeles, respectively, for the Wild Card slot. A playoff appearance certainly looks to be approaching lock status.

Last Monday, I went to Wrigley Field and got soaked in a rainstorm highlighted by tons of lightning.Twenty years ago today, also on Monday, I did the same thing.

CLASS PLAYER, POS AB R H BI AVG AA Colvin, Tyler CF 5 2 2 1 .240 3B (8), BB SS Flaherty, Ryan SS 5 2 2 1 .316 HR (4) SS Keedy, Ryan 1B 4 1 2 1 .373 2B (13) SS Vitters, Josh 3B 5 1 2 0 .335 Ryan Keedy? Nice numbers so far.

Wanted to add a quick link to the site of a neighbor and Father of a Friend of the Middle Murton.The shirts were first noticed standing in line for a hot dog. At Costco. As they were simple and obvious, they deserved a plug.Available at www.endthedrought.com.I prefer the blue shirt.

With the Cubs at 22 games over .500 for the first time since the Boys of Zimmer years, we ventured to Wrigley Field to see if they could continue their assualt on the National League Central and become the first Cub team to play in back-to-back post seasons since 1908.The experience ended quickly.Catching up on some old items:

PLAYER POS AB R H BI AVG Pie, Felix CF 6 0 3 2 .288 2B (14), CS (4) With Jim Edmonds hurt and old, maybe it's time again.And maybe Felix will grow up.

Acquired from Milwaukee as part of the Carlos Lee trade, Nelson Cruz provided scant evidence of being a Major League-caliber hitter in nearly 500 plate appearances during 2006-2007. Despite a another terrific season in AAA in 2007 (.352/.428/.698), he couldn’t crack the big-league roster this spring, and he then suffered the indignity of being unclaimed on waivers.

In another must-win game for the good guys to remain in playoff contention, the Tennessee Titans (8-6) will host the struggling New York Jets (3-11) at LP Field on Sunday afternoon. The Titans came from behind to beat the Chiefs 26-17 last week while the Jets played well in a 20-10 loss to the undefeated Patriots. Field: Grass (sort of). Forecast: A 20% chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, high 46° with temperatures falling throughout the evening. WSW wind 10-15 mph changing to NNW.

Lancashire fast bowler Sajid Mahmood officially opened a new conservatory at a Trafford Housing Trust scheme this afternoon.

A festive message from Lancashire County Cricket Club's Chief Executive Jim Cumbes.

Luke Sutton is the latest Lancashire player to speak out, urging his colleagues to use the positives out of the disappointing 2007 season finale against Surrey as motivation to go one better in 2008.