I wouldn't read a whole lot into these games. The Cubs always play well against the Cards, but there were good signs. The principal good sign was the apparent resurrection of Carlos Zambrano, who threw really well and looked a lot more like his dominant self than he has through most of the season. He managed to add four or five mph to his fastball and had good control. All in all, an encouraging outing, and one to think about before engaging in any more idiotic experiments and further humiliations. I may be a lone voice here, but you have got to think that if Z can return to form, the Cubs would be very foolish to deal him away.
On Saturday, what you saw in the field was the best possible lineup the Cubs can field right now, at least against a right-hander, with the exception that Soto was missing because of injury. They only scored three runs, but they were playing against one of the best right-handers in the league, and the addition of Fukudome in RF did in fact save the game for Zambrano. Anyway, you have to think of this as a possible everyday lineup next year with the addition of a left-handed first baseman and decide whether that is an encouraging or discouraging thought.
Sunday's game was a laugher until the 9th, but it figured to be with the Cardinals Lohse making his first start in three months and the Cubs pitching the consistent Ryan Dempster. Nice to see Soriano on the bench again, though playing Nady was an odd choice for LF. They are definitely going to have to do something about that bullpen. It is fairly clear that a lot of these kids are not anything like what they have been cracked up to be, and that, rather sadly, probably includes Cashner as well. Still, it is not necessary to mortgage the house to get some decent arms to supplement Marshall and Marmol, especially if Guzman were to return from his injury next season.
No comments:
Post a Comment