2008 Chicago Cubs

[fugazi]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

8-2 over the last 10 games...that's good stuff...

some have been scratched out, or even all but given away, but 8 more of those and we would surely win homefield...7 would surely give us the division.

Geovany Soto...as a hitting catcher, this guy is going to be terrific.

I am sure there are reasons otherwise, but what thought do you think has been given to Marmol as a starter? I do think having a 1+ inning reliever that routinely shuts opponents down is pretty awesome, though...

EDIT: Jinx....these early games are important, and I hope they can make quick work of the Pirates...there is a weird Colorado-to-Washington road trip, and then a good homestand or two, but in June and July, nearly 2 out of every 3 games will be on the road (62%)...that could be tough. Most of August is spent at home, while September is much like June/July.

Reed Johnson went 4-4 today, which gets him out of what was a 2-15 slump or something.
Lily got hit again...I thought it was strange how last year he could be in the strike zone so often yet still be successful...either he had some kind of movement/placement/Maddux thing going on, or faced some new hitters that took too long to adjust...but I think whatever it was, it might be gone, and he could perhaps benefit from a new approach. He was apparently doing well until a breakdown in the fourth that brought 2 walks and then a three-run shot.

[Happy29]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Another good win today Hill gets his first win and Woody another save, now the 5th team with 10 wins. Lets keep it going.

[jczar78]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

It was good to see Hill pitching good ball, the only thing that worried me about today's game was Lou keeping Marmol in for two innings. I don't want us to burn him out, we are going to need him to be strong down the stretch. But I trust Lou, and Woody lights out. Good stuff.

[bluengold34_OS]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

It was good to see Hill pitching good ball, the only thing that worried me about today's game was Lou keeping Marmol in for two innings. I don't want us to burn him out, we are going to need him to be strong down the stretch. But I trust Lou, and Woody lights out. Good stuff.

Yes, Lou has used Slider John, and Marmol quite a little bit lately, I too, hopes he doesnt burn him out

[fugazi]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

man...Marmol was filthy today. Every pitch he threw moved like a wiffle ball. it was awesome, and I am glad i got to see it.

Last season he seemed to falter in the later weeks, but hell, he had been used a ton. I hope we don't see a similar thing this year. A nice stretch of games in the first half and an established lead in the division hopefully will allow him time to rest. He can't pitch virtually every day and be okay come october.

He may have a good shot at the cy young as a middle reliever. If he pitches enough (as in a ton) of innings, keeps a low 1 era or lower, and continues to make everyone that faces him look like doo-doo...who knows.

[bluengold34_OS]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Well Fugazi,

I think we have three pretty consistent Bullpen guys in Slider John, Bobby Howry and Carlos Marmol. It will be nice to get Scotty back,and since the first part of the season is over, maybe he wont have that typical early season funk. If we can have 4 turn to guys all season long, and then turn the game over to a Woody throwing 96 mph filth on the mound....its a good thing


The new daily double( good memories, Ryno and Bobby D )

Marmol/Woody

[jczar78]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Howry always starts the season off slow but when he starts to heat up and with Marmol and Wood. The bullpen is going looking solid. Then like you said BlueandGold when Eyre comes back that will only add to the depth.

Its good to see that we're piling on the wins early this year. Even though they came back from a deficit last year it was not much fun to watch the first two months last season. Lets get them tomorrow.

[bluengold34_OS]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Howry always starts the season off slow but when he starts to heat up and with Marmol and Wood. The bullpen is going looking solid. Then like you said BlueandGold when Eyre comes back that will only add to the depth.

Its good to see that we're piling on the wins early this year. Even though they came back from a deficit last year it was not much fun to watch the first two months last season. Lets get them tomorrow.

You aint kidding czar, how nice is it to see us tied for 2nd, and playing some pretty solid ball early on. I wonder if it has to do with all this decent weather we have been getting, and starting to play a decent amount of night games early

[stewaat]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

I hate the Cubs but Marmol was filthy. The action on his fastball and slider is crazy!

[jczar78]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

I hate the Cubs but Marmol was filthy. The action on his fastball and slider is crazy!

Well I don't hate anything or anyone, life is to short to hold grudges. But if you feel you have to hate the Cubs it's a free country and you have every right to hate them. And yes Marmol has a very filthy slider.

Now to today game. It was good to see the Cubs hitters jump all over Grudz. he was making mistakes out on the mound and they made him pay. Let's hope the Cubs sweep them out of town and get ready for the Mets on Monday. Great win today. Keep on piling them on.

[fugazi]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Every one of his pitches moves like a belly-dancer.

What is the word on Cotts? I was under the impression that his spring performance was not awful...This guy was major-league caliber a couple of years ago, and a somewhat highly-touted pick-up last year. I wouldn't mind giving him another shot, if he is at all together.

I wish wgn would webcast their games, i have to work today and want to see the cubs sweep the bucs.

[Happy29]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Looks good so far Demps gave up 2 hits to lead off the game since then he's been unhittable. Cubs lead 3-0 bottom 4

[e0820]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Congrats to the Cubbies for being in 1st place, lets hope they stay there!

Dempsters switch to a starter is looking good!

[funky_chicken]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

The team has been hitting everything in sight. Eventually the hitting is going to cool off. The pitching needs to be better though. The Cubs are off to a great start. The starting pitching has not been to bad but the relief pitching is not good at all.

[fugazi]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

The team has been hitting everything in sight. Eventually the hitting is going to cool off. The pitching needs to be better though. The Cubs are off to a great start. The starting pitching has not been to bad but the relief pitching is not good at all.

I think that depends on how you look at it...

I think the pen has been good overall. Howry will pick up, Marmol is absurd, and if Wood falters too much, Marmol will close. Sure we are looking for some lefty help, but the pen does not seem to be the biggest problem. I see the rotation as the issue. Zambrano is Zambrano, so we will see several dominant outings, some good ones, and some where he gives up 6 in 3 or 4...
But he is the only one that we know what we will get with...
Lilly? Dempster? Hill? #5? No Clue...could go either way with ANY of them. The trend of late seems to be a good outing until the 4,5,6th inning and then the wheels start to shake a bit...

I think this lineup could hit all year...Theriot is even batting well over 300, Reed Johnson is a revelation, and maybe ARam is off the snide...Soriano can take all the time he wants in coming back from his injury, I think we are better without him. I don't even mind Fukudome in the 5 spot anymore, as it gives DeRosa and Soto some good opportunities.

But seriously, I am not happy about how we look with Koriano in the lineup, it seems like we have a MUCH better mentality at the plate without him, not to mention more runners on base.