With today's game, that makes, by my count, six consecutive Cubs games that I've attended where the Cubs have won. It seems a little odd that that streak runs back to May of 2001, but it does. Weird thing: in the last four games, the Cubs scored a total of ten runs, but they won all four games (three by one run, as you might guess).
I continue to be a bit worried about the offense. They've yet to start really stringing stuff together; of the three runs today, two were solo home runs and the third came when Zambrano grounded into a double play with the bases loaded and no outs. (In other words: they had the bases loaded and no outs in the second inning, and the end result was one run.) On the bright side, this was the first game of the year in which the Cubs actually managed to score first.
Derrek Lee was just four for his first 18, but in the last two games he's looked really good, including going 2-for-3 today with a walk. He powered his game-winning home run to deep left center (if the wind had been blowing out at all, it would have probably ended up on Waveland), and his only out (a fly ball to center) was pretty well-hit. He's slugging .882 right now and yes, it's ridiculously early. But if he has another season even close to 2005 with the pieces he's got around him now... we could be looking at a really special year for the Cubs.
This, of course, presumes that those pieces wake up. Soriano's 357-foot basket job notwithstanding, he still is looking pretty bad at the plate, and while I'm willing to forgive him for this game since he hit a go-ahead home run and helped preserve a scoreless first inning by cutting down the speedy Michael Bourn at home plate, he needs to start hitting a little better than .077 soon. Maybe going to Pittsburgh will be the cure for what ails him - remember, that's where his first HR was last year after going the entire month of April without one. And then he hit 33 despite not playing for most of August. Ramirez was also 2-for-3 with a walk today, so perhaps he's stirring a bit; Fukudome was 0-for-3, but he also walked. I'm not worried about him at all right now. DeRosa also had a pedestrian day but overall he's looked good in the early going. When all these guys are on at once - plus Soto, who was rested in favor of Hank White today - this lineup is going to be really scary, I think. And there will come a point when they're all on at once, I'm sure of it.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Friday, April 04, 2008
Astros 4, Cubs 3
I don't know - is it time to start worrying about Alfonso Soriano? 1-f0r-17 (.059) is a damn slow start, even for him - last year he hit just .200 in the first eight games, but his average never went lower than that. While I've only heard the games so far - I probably won't get to see the Cubs until I'm actually at Wrigley on Sunday - it doesn't sound like he's looked very good either. For example, in the opener, he struck out twice, grounded out to first, and fouled out to the catcher. In game two, he popped out to first, grounded out to third, and struck out swinging with two men on, when a home run would have tied the game. He finally got a hit in the win - but he also struck out swinging to start the game and grounded out twice. Today, he grounded out two more times. All in all, he's only gotten the ball out of the infield six or seven times. It's not very confidence-inspiring. And yes, I know how early it is. I also know how much we're paying this guy, and while I hate to be the type of fan who grouses about every little player failure because of their salaries, as though they aren't humans prone to going into slumps every now and then... well, all I can say is that when you're making as much as this team is, you need to figure out the problem, and fast. Same goes for you, Derrek Lee (.222). You too, Aramis (.154). A couple solo home runs aren't cure-alls.
Though I will say this - Geovany Soto is hitting .167, but he's had more loud outs than anyone on the team, including at least four balls to the warning track that were kept in by the wind. If it were June, he'd probably have six home runs already and we'd be casting his statue right next to Fukudome's. So I think Soto will be fine. But when Soriano, Lee and Ramirez are the expected big boppers and they're all looking kind of lost... that's worrying.
It's particularly dispiriting because we could be at least 3-1 if the team were hitting at all. Both the opener and today's game were right there for the taking; if your pitching staff is only giving up four runs a game for the season, you're doing pretty well (the low in baseball last year was 4.06 by Boston; the Cubs were third at 4.26, second in the NL to, surprise, San Diego - but when you factor in park effects, the Cubs actually had the best ERA+ in the NL at 115). The 8-run quasi-meltdown against Milwaukee notwithstanding, this team has really pitched extremely well so far. I mean, if that keeps up and the hitting comes around sooner rather than later, we're looking at a potential juggernaut. Milwaukee will hit but I don't think their pitching will hold up for a whole season, although stranger things have happened. But that's the million-dollar question: when is the hitting going to come around? It's an awful lot of talent for this to turn into another 2006 (barring another catastrophic injury), but it could easily turn into another 2001, or 2004. I'd rather not see that happen, especially since you know we'd be looking up at Milwaukee and that will just be annoying as shit.
Sigh. I can't help but wonder if my plan to watch or listen to every Cubs game to the extent possible is biting me in the ass. When I first started the original Diary, back in July 2005, I intended to watch basically every game and write most days; this was derailed in a hurry as, after I started it on July 18 with the Cubs two games over .500 (and 13 games back in the Central, though still in the wild card race), they proceeded to go 7-7 over their next 14 and then suddenly embark on a season-killing eight-game losing streak in mid-August. That'll get you out of the habit fast. You may have noticed that in-season posting on this blog itself has been fairly sporadic. I wanted to change that this year because I'm as into the Cubs as I've ever been in my life, but if they start the season winning like three of their first twelve, I might not make it. Still, I don't think this is another 2005; our leadoff man at the time was Jerry Hairston, for fuck's sake. Things are going to get better. But as long as I'm following every game, it's going to be pretty brutal if they don't start getting better soon.
Though I will say this - Geovany Soto is hitting .167, but he's had more loud outs than anyone on the team, including at least four balls to the warning track that were kept in by the wind. If it were June, he'd probably have six home runs already and we'd be casting his statue right next to Fukudome's. So I think Soto will be fine. But when Soriano, Lee and Ramirez are the expected big boppers and they're all looking kind of lost... that's worrying.
It's particularly dispiriting because we could be at least 3-1 if the team were hitting at all. Both the opener and today's game were right there for the taking; if your pitching staff is only giving up four runs a game for the season, you're doing pretty well (the low in baseball last year was 4.06 by Boston; the Cubs were third at 4.26, second in the NL to, surprise, San Diego - but when you factor in park effects, the Cubs actually had the best ERA+ in the NL at 115). The 8-run quasi-meltdown against Milwaukee notwithstanding, this team has really pitched extremely well so far. I mean, if that keeps up and the hitting comes around sooner rather than later, we're looking at a potential juggernaut. Milwaukee will hit but I don't think their pitching will hold up for a whole season, although stranger things have happened. But that's the million-dollar question: when is the hitting going to come around? It's an awful lot of talent for this to turn into another 2006 (barring another catastrophic injury), but it could easily turn into another 2001, or 2004. I'd rather not see that happen, especially since you know we'd be looking up at Milwaukee and that will just be annoying as shit.
Sigh. I can't help but wonder if my plan to watch or listen to every Cubs game to the extent possible is biting me in the ass. When I first started the original Diary, back in July 2005, I intended to watch basically every game and write most days; this was derailed in a hurry as, after I started it on July 18 with the Cubs two games over .500 (and 13 games back in the Central, though still in the wild card race), they proceeded to go 7-7 over their next 14 and then suddenly embark on a season-killing eight-game losing streak in mid-August. That'll get you out of the habit fast. You may have noticed that in-season posting on this blog itself has been fairly sporadic. I wanted to change that this year because I'm as into the Cubs as I've ever been in my life, but if they start the season winning like three of their first twelve, I might not make it. Still, I don't think this is another 2005; our leadoff man at the time was Jerry Hairston, for fuck's sake. Things are going to get better. But as long as I'm following every game, it's going to be pretty brutal if they don't start getting better soon.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
So, we're cool now?
Win #1 of the season. Are we all calmed down now? I think we can resume freaking out if the Cubs are like, six games under .500 two weeks from now. Dempster looked strong after the rough first inning, Marmol and Wood were both solid, and I liked the four stolen bases. Talk of the bats being "thawed out," as the AP recap suggested, might be a little premature, however. I mean, seven hits is fewer than in yesterday's game - but it helps when the opposing starter tosses out five walks and a hit batsman. That probably won't happen every game, though of course I like the patience. (Two more walks for Fukudome! This could be the best free agent signing the Cubs have made since Andre Dawson, although let's not get ahead of ourselves.) Nevertheless, no one had more than one hit today and Lee has looked pretty bad with the bat in two of the three games so far (though in the middle one he had a double and homer, so go figure that one out). I'm hoping it's just the early season, the cold weather, and really re-adjusting to major league pitching (let us not forget that the majority of pitchers faced in spring training end up being minor-league castoffs). Perhaps the upcoming games against Houston and Pittsburgh will only help matters.
Memo to Rickie Weeks: If, after a game, you have to take pains to tell the media how you're not a dirty player... well, I don't know. Maybe? Yeah, Soto was kind of in the line but I'm not sure that Weeks couldn't have just zipped around him. I forget where I read it, but someone recently was saying, why is baseball not a contact sport except right at the moment where it really matters? I mean, if Soto is obstructing, call Weeks safe at home, but Gwynn doesn't score unless Weeks knocks Soto over and I'm just not sure that's fair.
Whatever. We won the game. I expect a lot more of these.
Memo to Rickie Weeks: If, after a game, you have to take pains to tell the media how you're not a dirty player... well, I don't know. Maybe? Yeah, Soto was kind of in the line but I'm not sure that Weeks couldn't have just zipped around him. I forget where I read it, but someone recently was saying, why is baseball not a contact sport except right at the moment where it really matters? I mean, if Soto is obstructing, call Weeks safe at home, but Gwynn doesn't score unless Weeks knocks Soto over and I'm just not sure that's fair.
Whatever. We won the game. I expect a lot more of these.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Trying not to panic.
Okay. See, this is why I was uncomfortable with the preseason expectations. Look at what happened! The Cubs are 0-2, not 0-10. It's way, way too early to get concerned. Yes, it's annoying to lose to the Brewers. And yes, neither the bats nor the bullpen have looked great so far. But it's the second game of the season. If 2007 taught us anything, it's not to get too worked up about falling a couple games behind the Brewers, or losing two in a row.
Yeah, 8-2 sucks. But you know what? The impression I got was that balls were falling in for them that weren't falling in for us. That's the sort of thing that evens out over a long season, as it did last year. So I'm not overly concerned yet. I don't like losing, I don't like losing to the Brewers, I don't like listening to them lose on the radio (and frankly it's kind of annoying hearing Santo go "Oh, jeez!" like a little kid every time something bad happens). But it's not like we were gonna go 162-0, right? Even the most optimistic Cubs fan expected between 60 and 70 losses this year. So, here's two of them. Now let's just start putting some numbers into that win column.
It didn't take Lou long to decide that hitting Soriano second wasn't working; he's back to leadoff. The next question is, how long does Theriot have in the second spot? Well, if he keeps going 2-for-4 he can stay there. We'll see.
Yeah, 8-2 sucks. But you know what? The impression I got was that balls were falling in for them that weren't falling in for us. That's the sort of thing that evens out over a long season, as it did last year. So I'm not overly concerned yet. I don't like losing, I don't like losing to the Brewers, I don't like listening to them lose on the radio (and frankly it's kind of annoying hearing Santo go "Oh, jeez!" like a little kid every time something bad happens). But it's not like we were gonna go 162-0, right? Even the most optimistic Cubs fan expected between 60 and 70 losses this year. So, here's two of them. Now let's just start putting some numbers into that win column.
It didn't take Lou long to decide that hitting Soriano second wasn't working; he's back to leadoff. The next question is, how long does Theriot have in the second spot? Well, if he keeps going 2-for-4 he can stay there. We'll see.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Brewers 4, Cubs 3 (10 innings)
This is one of those games where I'm not sure whether to accentuate the positives or dwell on the negatives, especially this early in the season. So let's look at both, and then decide.
The Good: Kosuke Fukudome. Oh my goodness. 3-for-3, plus a walk, plus the game-tying three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth. Also, the only guy to get a hit off Ben Sheets (which doubles as the bad, I think). I'm not saying he's going to bat 1.000 this year, but if he really does put up that .400 OBP that PECOTA projected, well, golly. In my lifetime, the only Cubs to put up a .400 OBP over a full season have been Derrek Lee (2005 and 2007), Sammy Sosa (2000 and 2001), Mark Grace (1989, 1997 and 1998) and Gary Matthews (1984). Pretty select company. Also, he's currently on pace to hit 162 home runs. In addition, Carlos Zambrano looked strong through 6.2, although he has got to start hydrating during games. This whole leaving with cramps thing is getting ridiculous. (Possible alternate explanation: the 49-minute rain delay, although he went several innings after that before having the problem.) Also, Marmol looked to have picked up exactly where he left off in 2007 (not counting Game One of the NLDS).
The Bad: Fukudome was the only guy who could get a hit off Sheets. I know he's a Cub killer - 9-7, 3.87 all-time with 128 K in 144.1 IP, and two double-digit strikeout performances including one last year - but he didn't look very good in spring training. And then today he looked unhittable. I suppose the "good news" is that the Cubs could not hit Sheets at all and still almost won, which gives you more hope for games in which they don't have to face anyone nearly as good. But to win a World Series, you have to beat decent pitchers, generally. Also bad: the non-Marmol segment of the bullpen, as both Wood and Howry struggled to get guys out. Wood nearly lost the game; Howry did. It's just one game and this stuff will happen, but it wasn't a very encouraging start to the year, was it?
The Ugly: How about that top three! Theriot, Soriano and Lee combined to go 1-for-15 (Theriot and Soriano were 0-for-10) with two strikeouts each. Really, aside from Fukudome, the lineup in general was pretty poor. Ramirez was 0-for-3 (though he did walk and score); DeRosa was 0-for-3 (though he had a little bad luck, hitting two long outs to the wall in dead center); Soto was 0-for-2 (though he walked twice); and Pie was 1-for-4 and the one was a barely, since he only got on due to some first-base shenanigans by the ever ironically-named Prince Fielder. He also struck out twice.
Obviously, there's no reason to start worrying just yet. Frankly, it might be kind of heartening to have a game where the hitting was this lousy and still nearly win. But I hope Lou has the kind of patience with Theriot at the top of the order that I would - which is to say, not much. If he's going back to .326 OBP territory, move him. Hit Soriano first and Fukudome second - yes, I know that Soriano's OBP isn't much better, but at least he likes hitting leadoff, and at least you have Fukudome up there to reboot the lineup when Soriano isn't getting on (or hitting solo shots). Still, this is just the first game out of 162. We should probably all try not to overreact.
By the way, in case you were wondering if my complaints about what I anticipated as being the coverage of the whole 1908/2008 thing were overblown, here are the first four paragraphs of the AP's recap of the game:
Hey, Associated Press? Fuck you. Seriously.
The Good: Kosuke Fukudome. Oh my goodness. 3-for-3, plus a walk, plus the game-tying three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth. Also, the only guy to get a hit off Ben Sheets (which doubles as the bad, I think). I'm not saying he's going to bat 1.000 this year, but if he really does put up that .400 OBP that PECOTA projected, well, golly. In my lifetime, the only Cubs to put up a .400 OBP over a full season have been Derrek Lee (2005 and 2007), Sammy Sosa (2000 and 2001), Mark Grace (1989, 1997 and 1998) and Gary Matthews (1984). Pretty select company. Also, he's currently on pace to hit 162 home runs. In addition, Carlos Zambrano looked strong through 6.2, although he has got to start hydrating during games. This whole leaving with cramps thing is getting ridiculous. (Possible alternate explanation: the 49-minute rain delay, although he went several innings after that before having the problem.) Also, Marmol looked to have picked up exactly where he left off in 2007 (not counting Game One of the NLDS).
The Bad: Fukudome was the only guy who could get a hit off Sheets. I know he's a Cub killer - 9-7, 3.87 all-time with 128 K in 144.1 IP, and two double-digit strikeout performances including one last year - but he didn't look very good in spring training. And then today he looked unhittable. I suppose the "good news" is that the Cubs could not hit Sheets at all and still almost won, which gives you more hope for games in which they don't have to face anyone nearly as good. But to win a World Series, you have to beat decent pitchers, generally. Also bad: the non-Marmol segment of the bullpen, as both Wood and Howry struggled to get guys out. Wood nearly lost the game; Howry did. It's just one game and this stuff will happen, but it wasn't a very encouraging start to the year, was it?
The Ugly: How about that top three! Theriot, Soriano and Lee combined to go 1-for-15 (Theriot and Soriano were 0-for-10) with two strikeouts each. Really, aside from Fukudome, the lineup in general was pretty poor. Ramirez was 0-for-3 (though he did walk and score); DeRosa was 0-for-3 (though he had a little bad luck, hitting two long outs to the wall in dead center); Soto was 0-for-2 (though he walked twice); and Pie was 1-for-4 and the one was a barely, since he only got on due to some first-base shenanigans by the ever ironically-named Prince Fielder. He also struck out twice.
Obviously, there's no reason to start worrying just yet. Frankly, it might be kind of heartening to have a game where the hitting was this lousy and still nearly win. But I hope Lou has the kind of patience with Theriot at the top of the order that I would - which is to say, not much. If he's going back to .326 OBP territory, move him. Hit Soriano first and Fukudome second - yes, I know that Soriano's OBP isn't much better, but at least he likes hitting leadoff, and at least you have Fukudome up there to reboot the lineup when Soriano isn't getting on (or hitting solo shots). Still, this is just the first game out of 162. We should probably all try not to overreact.
By the way, in case you were wondering if my complaints about what I anticipated as being the coverage of the whole 1908/2008 thing were overblown, here are the first four paragraphs of the AP's recap of the game:
Kosuke Fukudome did everything he could in his first major league game -- except bring the Chicago Cubs a victory.
Instead, the start of the Cubs' 100th season since winning the World Series ended in familiar fashion. Tony Gwynn hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning and the Milwaukee Brewers beat Chicago 4-3 on a wet Monday at Wrigley Field.
Fukudome, the team's main offseason acquisition, went 3-for-3, hitting a tying three-run homer in the ninth off Eric Gagne (1-0).
But it wasn't enough for the Cubs, who haven't even reached the World Series since 1945.
Hey, Associated Press? Fuck you. Seriously.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Here goes nothing
At the moment, it's raining here in Chicago, and it's slated to do so all day Monday. But if there's a break, tomorrow is when the Cubs are scheduled to begin the defense of their division title and, hopefully, begin a run towards the pennant and beyond. In some ways I'm really looking forward to this season - on paper, it's gotta be at least the most talented Cubs team since 1984 and possibly longer (I'm not including last year, here). Most of the stars are in the relative primes of their careers; the oldest everyday position player is 33 and the oldest starting pitcher is 32. The only obvious flaw right now is the youth up the middle - as fans, I don't think we can really be sure what we're going to get from Soto, Theriot and Pie, although the former and latter at least seem likely to produce on the defensive side and it's hard to see how either could really be any worse offensively than the guys who spent the most time at those positions last year. Theriot needs to hit like he did last July, or like he did in 2006; he can't put up another cumulative .326 OBP as he did for the 2007 season. At least Cedeno provides an alternative, although he's sort of an enigma too at the pro level. Anyway.
Frankly, I'm a little uncomfortable with the prospect of this season. The Cubs go into the year as favorites, and that's not a position they've been in too often. Anything less than a playoff appearance will be a massive failure. What's more, because this is the century year since the last Cubs title, we're going to be hearing about that fact on every last national broadcast. Hey, Red Sox fans, you think you had it bad with the Curse of the Bambino garbage? Just wait. Every single game on Fox or ESPN is going to mention 1908; most will mention the goat and Steve Bartman. Certainly, if the Cubs do make the playoffs, every last playoff game will make some mention of these facts. The only place it's likely to be avoidable is on WGN (and Comcast), which makes me reeeeally glad to live in Chicago right now.
Plus, if the Cubs win the World Series, it'll be "Oh, well, they had to, right? Because it was the 100-year anniversary?" And of course if the Cubs don't win it'll just be same-old, same-old. There's no way for this to be as fun a season as it seems like it should be. And that's just annoying.
But, I'll hope, as I do every year. Here's to still having it as late as October.
Frankly, I'm a little uncomfortable with the prospect of this season. The Cubs go into the year as favorites, and that's not a position they've been in too often. Anything less than a playoff appearance will be a massive failure. What's more, because this is the century year since the last Cubs title, we're going to be hearing about that fact on every last national broadcast. Hey, Red Sox fans, you think you had it bad with the Curse of the Bambino garbage? Just wait. Every single game on Fox or ESPN is going to mention 1908; most will mention the goat and Steve Bartman. Certainly, if the Cubs do make the playoffs, every last playoff game will make some mention of these facts. The only place it's likely to be avoidable is on WGN (and Comcast), which makes me reeeeally glad to live in Chicago right now.
Plus, if the Cubs win the World Series, it'll be "Oh, well, they had to, right? Because it was the 100-year anniversary?" And of course if the Cubs don't win it'll just be same-old, same-old. There's no way for this to be as fun a season as it seems like it should be. And that's just annoying.
But, I'll hope, as I do every year. Here's to still having it as late as October.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Northbound Suarez
The team is preparing to head north, to the point that stuff is getting put on the trucks and Lou is telling players to find apartments if they haven't already. But things aren't totally set, it seems.
* Fontenot and Cedeno both made the team. While you obviously need infield backups, doesn't this sort of suggest that Lou is looking for a little insurance should Theriot repeat last year's form? Fontenot and Cedeno have both hit in spring training, but not that much (although both have OPSes well over .800, which you'd definitely take from a middle infielder). Theriot does lag behind them in power but he hit .348 in Mesa.
* Murton is apparently going to start the year at Iowa, which almost certainly means he's going to finish it in a completely different major league city. This makes me a little sad. I'm not sure Murton was ever given a totally fair shake with the Cubs, although if you really look at it I guess his OPS+ in 2006 was only 104, which is above average but isn't exactly setting the world on fire. Soriano's OPS+ in 2007, by comparison, was 123. And Murton isn't known as a great fielder (although he was at least serviceable in left). I mean, even though Murton has put up a pretty good OBP in his career, you certainly can't fault the Cubs for going to get Soriano ahead of him, and Murton's best position is left field - and while he can play right, if Kosuke Fukudome really has a .400 OBP this year, I don't think we're going to miss Matty too much. I wish there was a place for the guy, but he plays better when he starts and you really can't justify starting him at this point (except maybe as the DH in games in AL parks - although even then, Daryle Ward probably fills that role better). Oh well.
* The battle for 12th pitcher appears to be coming down to Marshall vs. Pignatiello, because I guess we only need one lefty in the pen. (We only had one regular last year, and that was Eyre, who spent the majority of the year sucking ass.) Marshall went two innings today, giving up one run on one hit (he walked three and didn't strike anyone out). Marshall's another guy I've liked since he came up - I was at Wrigley for his first career home win, a 3-1 decision over the Marlins on April 25, 2006, and he's a lefty who is one day younger than I am. He had a 119 ERA+ last year, which is pretty dang good for a fifth starter, but he was squeezed out of the rotation by Dempster's move into it (and even if he hadn't done that, the Lieber acquisition probably would have pushed Marshall aside as well). This although Dempster is five years older than Marshall and his career high ERA+ as a starter is 120 (and Lieber has never had one as high as 119, not even in 2001 when he was the last Cub to win 20). Right now I'm expecting Marshall to start the year in Iowa; I don't think you can ignore Pignatiello's 0.90 spring ERA. But I'm not sure I wouldn't bring Marshall over Kevin Hart. Doesn't look like that's gonna happen, though.
* Fontenot and Cedeno both made the team. While you obviously need infield backups, doesn't this sort of suggest that Lou is looking for a little insurance should Theriot repeat last year's form? Fontenot and Cedeno have both hit in spring training, but not that much (although both have OPSes well over .800, which you'd definitely take from a middle infielder). Theriot does lag behind them in power but he hit .348 in Mesa.
* Murton is apparently going to start the year at Iowa, which almost certainly means he's going to finish it in a completely different major league city. This makes me a little sad. I'm not sure Murton was ever given a totally fair shake with the Cubs, although if you really look at it I guess his OPS+ in 2006 was only 104, which is above average but isn't exactly setting the world on fire. Soriano's OPS+ in 2007, by comparison, was 123. And Murton isn't known as a great fielder (although he was at least serviceable in left). I mean, even though Murton has put up a pretty good OBP in his career, you certainly can't fault the Cubs for going to get Soriano ahead of him, and Murton's best position is left field - and while he can play right, if Kosuke Fukudome really has a .400 OBP this year, I don't think we're going to miss Matty too much. I wish there was a place for the guy, but he plays better when he starts and you really can't justify starting him at this point (except maybe as the DH in games in AL parks - although even then, Daryle Ward probably fills that role better). Oh well.
* The battle for 12th pitcher appears to be coming down to Marshall vs. Pignatiello, because I guess we only need one lefty in the pen. (We only had one regular last year, and that was Eyre, who spent the majority of the year sucking ass.) Marshall went two innings today, giving up one run on one hit (he walked three and didn't strike anyone out). Marshall's another guy I've liked since he came up - I was at Wrigley for his first career home win, a 3-1 decision over the Marlins on April 25, 2006, and he's a lefty who is one day younger than I am. He had a 119 ERA+ last year, which is pretty dang good for a fifth starter, but he was squeezed out of the rotation by Dempster's move into it (and even if he hadn't done that, the Lieber acquisition probably would have pushed Marshall aside as well). This although Dempster is five years older than Marshall and his career high ERA+ as a starter is 120 (and Lieber has never had one as high as 119, not even in 2001 when he was the last Cub to win 20). Right now I'm expecting Marshall to start the year in Iowa; I don't think you can ignore Pignatiello's 0.90 spring ERA. But I'm not sure I wouldn't bring Marshall over Kevin Hart. Doesn't look like that's gonna happen, though.
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