Sorry I have not been keeping up with this blog too regularly. I have instead been posting a lot at Bleacher Report. My latest article there sums up the first twelve games of the season. I wouldn't change much in describing the Rockies series, another one where they should have taken two of three.
Some conclusions still stand out:
1. This team has a hard time scoring runs. Part of that is inherent in the players they have, a lot derives from the batting order, especially the insistence on batting Marlon Byrd third and playing him everyday. Glad to see that Hendry even may be coming around to the view often expressed here that the best batting order right now features Fukudome leading off, Barney second, and Castro third. Now to get Colvin some playing time at the expense of Byrd and Soriano.
2. Notwithstanding the slow starts of Garza and Dempster and the injuries to Wells and Cashner, there is really nothing terribly wrong with their pitching. Coleman has filled in nicely. I think they will be OK once they get at least one of the injured kids back in the rotation.
3. The real defensive issue with this team is the weakness of their outfield defense and its lack of range. Fukudome is the only professional outfielder they have. Byrd would be better playing left field, especially in the bigger ballparks like Coors Field. Colvin has speed but lacks experience and some other skills that hopefully he can develop over time. His natural position is probably left field. Soriano just stinks in the outfield and there is nothing you can do about it.
4. The Cubs are going to need some production from left-handed hitters other than Fukudome to win consistently. Colvin and Pena have got to pick it up. Otherwise, notwithstanding the heroics of Castro and the steady performance of Barney and Ramirez, they have a pretty one-dimensional offense.
As to last night's game, it was, for me at least, a joy to watch. I have to confess I love these scoreless pitchers' duels and last night's was terrific. The weather surely had something to do with it, but Zambrano pitched a great game. Brenly said early on that a mistake would decide the game. In this case, the Cubs finally caught some breaks. Soto hit a sure double play ball after Fukudome walked, but Hudson messed it up. Colvin got the only really solid hit of the night and he picked the right time to do it, though I'm pretty sure Soto would not have scored if the relay throw had been accurate.
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