Before you read anything written today, make sure you check out Jason's Series Preview against the Marlins. It's good reads.

So, Jacque Jones is unhappy as a Cub, according to the Tribune. After hitting a three-run bomb yesterday, he was quoted in the post-game as having said, "I'm angry right now, you know what I mean? It's almost funny. It's almost funny. . .I've seen friends (LaTroy) go through it. Sammy Sosa hit 60 home runs three years in a row, went into a little slump and ... hey, like I said earlier, they have a right to voice whatever opinion they want to voice. But it's not going to make me play any better. It's not going to make me play any worse. I'm just going to go play the game the way I know how."

Jacque, a side effect of the Dusty Baker Era in Chicago is that fans have become a little more demanding. We were promised a World Championship. We almost got one. The next year, we came close to getting back to the post season, but your friend - who was put into the position of closer by your current manager - screwed that up. So, a lot of Cubs fans are angry. They have high demands now. Well, not high demands. They're just asking one thing of you: don't suck.

Sorry, Jacque, but you're kind of sucking right now. A .209 average just won't cut it right now. Yesterday, Matt Murton walked on four pitches, and when you came up to the plate, you swung at the very first one and made an out. Ok, I know, you're in a new league, you don't know the pitching, so you're having struggles. But Jacque, if you're ever going to stop struggling, you'll need to become an intelligent hitter. That means DON'T SWING AT THE FIRST PITCH AFTER A GUY HAS SHOWN TO BE WILD!!!!

One thing that happened recently that we haven't commented on is that, speaking of whining, the Cardinals can't help but fall over themselves whenever Greg Maddux beats them. Take this past series, for example. Apparently, it's physically impossible for Greg to be throwing the way he is, so The Genius constantly complained to the umpire and had him check the ball for doctoring.

Dusty actually said something impressive in response: "I tried to figure it out when he was on the other side, too. I have watched his every move for years. One thing is for sure, he's not cheating. Unless he's Spider-Man and squeezing stuff out of his wrist or something. If you are [cheating], you've got to get it from somewhere. You don't see him touching all parts of his body. He just gets the ball and throws it."

It really makes you appreciate our ace 40-year-old all the more. Any guy who can get under the skin of the Cardinals has to be alright.

There will be more later today. Game time is at 7:05 central. I'll also be getting to the mailbag later today, as well.