Liveblog: CIN at CHI

The season is coming down to the finish line and more people are starting to focus on next season or even (gasp) fantasy football. I do, however, want to remain focused for the most part on finishing the season strong for those teams in the championship hunt. What types of info would help your team in these final few weeks? Send your suggestions to cs.fb365@gmail.com. Today I'll be following along with the Reds vs. Cubs (2:20 pm est) and writing about some 2009 impact as well as touching on some points for the 2010 season. I can't believe it has been 8 years since 9/11. Thanks to all the men and women who fight fire, fight crime and fight to keep us safe. Rich Harden all over the plate to start the game. Drew Stubbs draws a leadoff walk and then steals second base. I really like Stubbs as a late round/low cost option on draft day 2010. The guy can run, no doubt about that. He has 30+ SB potential. The only question is just how much the power will develop. Not a lot of power in the minors, but his 5 HR with the Reds are a sign that Stubbs could hit 10-15 next season with potential ofr more. Harden has now walked the first 2 batters of the game. Drew Stubbs: 2 steals in the first inning. Rich Harden: 40 pitches, 21 for strikes, 3 BB, 2 K. It will be very interesting to see where Rich Harden ends up in 2010. His HR/FB rate this season is the highest of his career and since going away from his slider (completely ditching it in 2009) Harden has become more of a flyball pitcher. That doesn't exactly play well in Chicago if you have a BB/9 around 4. If he ends up in a pitchers park, his value could take a big jump in the right direction. I love Micah Hoffpauir. He may not be a huge fantasy factor outside of NL-only leagues, but he has tremendous power. Part of me wishes he could get a full time gig somewhere, but he wouldn't likely hit for much AVG. Rich Harden must fear Drew Stubbs (walk number 2). Or maybe Harden just can't find the zone in general (yep). You can add a wild pitch to that. And another walk. Mix in a strikeout. 80 pitches now thru 3 innings. 5 BB: 4 SO If I hear "Let me be myself" by 3 Doors Down one more time...I may break something. Milton Bradley looks like he tweaked something. Shocker. Bradley should be in line for a better 2010, but he is not without major question marks. Alright Harden, runners on first and second. Now you HAVE to pitch to Stubbs!! Got him. Harden: 103 pitches, 59 strikes, 5 BB, 6 K's thru 4. Man, Geovany Soto just crushed his 10th homerun of the season. His stock for 2010 will be down, which you should take full advantage of on draft day. If he can lay off of the herb and cookies that is. Rich Harden out after 4 IP Carlos Zambrano is missing a tooth. He's missing a lot more than that these days. Johnny Gomes just hit his 19th jack of the year. His AB/HR rate is an insane 12 AB/HR. I don't think that he could sustain that next season. Feel free to add him for power should he still be available. His AVG is a bit inflated this season, but his power in undeniable. Not much happening that is fantasy related, so I'll just mention Jeff Baker real quick. I like Baker, but I'm not crazy about him as a MI option. He's hitting for AVG this season, but he also has benefited from a .398 BABIP on the year. He also strikes out a lot (26%), which is not good at all for a player unlikely to contribute a much outside of AVG. What the heck is going on with Joey Votto? Every swing he has taken today has looked horrible. By the way, Votto is going to hit 30+ HR's in 2010. Just noticed all the typos. I promise I'm not drunk. Just writing typing with lightning type quickness. Aramis Ramirez is now 3 for 3 on the day. He may not ever hit 30 HR's again, but he's been about as consistent as a 3B as you can find when healthy. Hopefully his stock falls a little on draft day 2010 because of the injury concerns. There is a squirrel loose running from one dugout to the next. Funny how Major League baseball players won't flinch at 95 mph heat, but jump out of the way when a squirrel comes running at them. Ballgame. 6-4 Cubs. Carlos Marmol earns his 12th save.