Archive - May 21, 2008

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After going five consecutive series without a series win, the Cubs will snag their fourth series in a row if they can upend the Houstons.

Lineup changes galore this evening--Theriot hits leadoff, Fukudome moves up to second, and Hoffpauir gets his first MLB start (in left, not as a replacement for Lee at first, as we expected).

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The EXST Angels defeated the EXST Cubs 6-4 this morning at very windy Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa.

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Tonight when the Braves visit the Mets, former Cub Rick Sutcliffe will be in the ESPN broadcast booth for the first time since he was diagnosed with colon cancer during spring training. Sutcliffe, who has been receiving chemotherapy and radiation, is scheduled for surgery on June 16th, which he hopes will lead to a clean bill of health.

On an infinitely more mundate note, Dayn Perry at foxsports.com argues that the Cub Express must be seen as wobbly, given that Ryan Dempster appears to be pitching with a rabbit's foot or similar in his pocket--Dempster's .211 batting average against on Balls in Play is way below the normal .290-.300 range--Carlos Marmol is on pace for an ungodly number of innings pitched, and Jason Marquis is just not very good.

Perry does, however, end on this semi-upbeat note:

If they do get to the postseason, then they'll have the kind of team that's built to succeed in that environment. Teams with good defenses, high-strikeout pitching staffs, and dominating closers tend to do well in the playoffs, and all of that describes this year's Cubs model.

...the team defense has been exceptional, and the pitching staff ranks third in the NL in whiffs. As for the closer thing, Kerry Wood has looked strong save for two isolated bad outings. If he continues to grow into the role, then the Cubs will have a real shot at ending their comically long title drought.

Of course, unless the pitching holds up, they won't get the chance.