With the wind blowing out Aramis Ramirez hit 2 3-run homers to propel the Cubs to a 13-8 victory over the Pirates. Each of Ramirez’s homers came with the game tied. It seems like there is a different player stepping up in each game for the Cubs. Wednesday it was Alfonso Soriano and Ted Lilly, today it was Ramirez, Soriano, and the whole bullpen.

Soriano led the game off with a first-pitch home run, his 10th leadoff home run of the year. The Cubs bullpen gave them 5 1/3 innings only giving up 1 run (a homer in the 9th off of Ryan Dempster).

Quick question. When do the Cubs make Kerry Wood their closer, and ditch Ryan Dempster? Soon I hope. 8 more games and a 2 game lead. I am liking the Cubs chances more and more.

Back in June I said that the Cubs should keep Ted Lilly. But I didn’t realize that Lilly would turn out to be the most important free-agent signing of last off-season this side of Alfonso Soriano.

He has been a solid and consistent starter for the Cubs. Everyone else on the Cubs staff has seen their share of ups and downs. But Lilly has a 3.78 ERA, 15-7 record over 200 innings. That’s number 1 starter material. And he’s a lefty.

Wednesday night he turned in a great performance, and it was on 3 days rest. He went 7 innings and only gave up 2 runs. He didn’t get the win, but he was a major factor in the Cubs winning against Reds and climbing back into first place.

Here is my dilemma of the week, and I’d like some help. I mentioned before that I wanted to give you some input into who I should start every week on my fantasy football team.

This week the decision is at WR. My league is a points and yardage league that also gives WR 1 pt. per reception.

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I would like to open up one roster decision every week to the readers of Vigilante Sports. Every Wednesday I will post a poll asking you the reader a roster decision. I will then wait until the roster deadline for my league, count the votes, and report back.

As of September 11, the Cubs and Brewers both have 19 games left and they are tied for first place in the NL Central.

I think the winner of the NL Central will have to win 11 of their last 19 games to take the division.

Which team will hold on for the NL Central crown? I think the Cubs will make it. What do you think?

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624 of total offense for the Ducks, 7 points for Michigan, 2 losses at home, 4 losses in a row, and ultimately 1 person to blame… Lloyd Carr.

I have given him a long leash.

He hasn’t beat Ohio State in 3 years. That makes me cringe, but it’s not something that should cost him his job. Ohio State turned in some pretty impressive seasons over that stretch.

He hasn’t won a bowl game since the 2002 season (the Outback Bowl against Florida). That’s pretty much unforgivable.

Now Carr defenders will say that the defense lost 6 starters to the NFL last season. And to them I would reply… Ask Pete Carroll about losing players to the NFL. And they would be able to except for that fact that he doesn’t care, USC is sitting atop the AP Poll. Now I definitely don’t like Pete Carroll, but he seems to figure out a way to get the job done. He recruits to fill the holes that he knows will be there when his players leave. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.

Lucky for Lloyd there’s enough blame to go around. Correct me if I’m wrong here… Ron English knew he was playing 2 spread option offenses to start the 2007 season right? They have tapes on those teams? Maybe it’s hard to get good tape of Appalachian State but they have won the last 2 1-AA Championships, right? Those games were probably taped… somewhere? But I’m sure Oregon has been on TV before. Hell, if I remember correctly Oregon wiped the field with Michigan just back in 2003? Yep. Game plan a little fellas. You know what you’re getting with these teams. It’s absolutely inexcusable.

I don’t know yet who I want as the next coach of the University of Michigan Football program, but Coach Carr’s time is about up. More in the coming weeks about who should replace him. Would love any suggestions you might have.

Not only did the Bears drop their opening game to the Chargers on Sunday, they also lost defensive team captain and Pro Bowl safety Mike Brown and defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek for the season.

Brown has struggled with injuries throughout his career. The Bears brought in Adam Archuleta to play strong safety and moved Brown to free safety. While he’s an emotional leader on the team, it seems that the Bears might not be willing to be patient with Brown’s recovery.

Dvoracek will be replaced by off season acquisition Darwin Walker.

I quit. I just can’t take it anymore. Michigan losing at home to Appalachian State has pushed me over the edge.

I know that people will be calling for Lloyd Carr’s job for this one. I can’t make an argument against it. This is 3 straight losses. Two of them were big ones, Ohio State and then the loss to USC in the Rose Bowl. Michigan has lost their last 2 games the last 3 years. This is not ok.

I was not able to watch the game because of the Big Ten Network not being available. In a way, I’m thankful. If I would have watched, I would have gotten more worked up I’m sure. I just read the recap of the game. Michigan had it in hand. They had 2 blocked field goals on their last 2 drives. Terrible. I feel sick.

A top 5 team should NEVER lose their first game. Especially at home. Especially against Appalachian State (a Division 1AA school). This wouldn’t happen at LSU, Tennessee, Florida State, Florida, USC, Texas or any other elite college football program. It shouldn’t happen at the college football program with the most wins all time. Something MUST be done.