Not a classic sweep …

Add comment April 10th, 2008

… but it’s still a sweep. Blowing a seven-run lead Monday, letting two save situations slip away Wednesday and having Lilly and Hill unable to get through the fourth inning normally would make Cubs fans irked. Irritated. Beside themselves.

I don’t know how the Cubs are carrying a 5-game winning streak into Philadelphia, but they are. Jason Marquis is ill, so Carlos Zambrano gets moved up a day.

Oh, the Pirates get to bat, too?

Add comment April 10th, 2008

Rich Hill is not making Wally Haas’ night any easier, giving the run right back and loading the bases without recording an out!

Construction zone

Add comment April 10th, 2008

Look at the Cubs manufacture the early 1-0 lead! Soriano singles, steals second, second-place hitter Mike Fontenot moves him to third on a 4-3 groundout, and DLee hits a weak-enough dribbler that 3B Jose Bautista can’t make a play on Fons at home.

Sosa statue? Don’t bank on it

1 comment April 10th, 2008

The Chicago Tribune’s Fred Mitchell is reporting that Ernie Banks still has nothing but love for Sammy Sosa. And according to the vain Sosa, Chicago still has nothing but love for him, too.

Here is Sosa’s most amusing quote of the story:

“I don’t think they’re going to build a statue for me right away. Chicago has supported me all my life. Some people think I don’t have love for Chicago, but Chicago hasn’t done anything [wrong] to me.”

Last I checked, when Sosa walked out on the Cubs on Oct. 3, 2004, Chicago’s love for Sosa walked out on him.

Hill needs to step it up today

Add comment April 10th, 2008

Rich Hill needs to give the Cubs at least six solid innings today after seven pitchers were used in yesterday’s 15-inning marathon. That’s two marathon-length games in a row for the Cubs. Good thing they had an off day in there.

Not sure who could pitch long relief if Hill falters. Jon Lieber pitched three innings Monday. Not sure if he’d be available today. Michael Wuertz and Kevin Hart each pitched two innings yesterday so I doubt either of them will be available today. Carlos Marmol, Kerry Wood and Bob Howry could each probably pitch another inning today, but ideally you’d need Hill to go six before you start calling on those guys.

Pirates are in the same boat, but the Cubs go straight to Philadelphia after tonight’s game and could use some fresh arms there. The good news is that the Phillies are playing horribly right now. Originally I thought 4-2 would be a good road trip, but given the way the Pirates and Phillies are playing, 5-1 or 6-0 is a distinct possibility.

A Gagne by any other name …

Add comment April 10th, 2008

Hey, thanks to the two readers who pointed out my bone-headed mistake of writing the wrong first name for Brewers’ reputed closer Eric Gagne. Yes, I mixed him up with the former Twins shortstop; gee, I guess you know where my allegiances lie. I’m just surprised non-Twins fans remember him. Truth is, Greg Gagne then was about as bad as Eric Gagne is now.