Like a Cold War era diplomat returning from a summit meeting, I'm cautiously optimistic. The Cubs are 4-3. They should be a bit better; Houston and Pittsburgh aren't good. Nonetheless, there are some nice signs. Big Z is pitching like an ace. D-Lee is pounding the ball. Fukudome is as advertised and more; it's been a while since I enjoyed a player this much. He does nearly everything right, the consummate professional. Bunts, works a walk, takes outside pitches the other way, turns on inside pitches, steals a base, pops the occasional dinger. He's the perfect #2 hitter, Lou. Hear me? The perfect # 2 hitter. Lieber's been a valuable asset in the bullpen. Wood and Marmol are closing things out at the end and Dempster has turned in a credible start.
The flip side? Mark DeRosa is hitting the ball but in a fielding slump, one that's out of character for him. More worrisome are Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis. They are expensive starting pitchers. And they, um, have done what a Hoover does. They need to be at least adequate. Now. Lilly managed to blow a 7 run lead yesterday, which is an achievement, even for a Cubs starter. Soriano is Soriano. He stinks right now. He'll stink again. In between, he'll hit .400 for a month with double figure home runs. You get what you pay for and that's what the Cubs, for better or worse, paid for.
Finally, I suspect Felix Pie, despite his wondrous potential, is already in danger of losing his center field job to waiver wire wonder Reed Johnson. Lou's tired of Pie's ability to hit in the minors and spring training and only in the minors and spring training. Johnson is a gamer with a chunk of hair below his chin that only drunken fans reeling out of the Cubbie Bear lounge could love. He'll fit right in.
7 down. Many more to go. Daily broadcasts on Comcast in the near Illinois future. I may never write again.
I have seen most of the games, they look like their in good condition.
I stumbled upon a good business site I want to share with you the Young Entrepreneur Society from the www.YoungEntrepreneurSociety.com. A great documentary about successful entrepreneurs.
Posted by: Kimberly | April 10, 2008 at 04:14 AM
Two extra-inning wins in a row! Despite the fact that the games shouldn't have gone to extra innings, what with all the men left on base and the bullpen not getting the job done, the fact that they held on and won those games is heartening to me.
On a different note, I made it to the Nats' new ballpark last night. It's a great place to see a game... it needs a little breaking in still (it has that new-stadium smell) but it's a good park.
Posted by: James Gilmore | April 10, 2008 at 07:47 AM