Chicago Cubs

 As all of us who saw the game, know what kind of game Soriano had in the outfield today.  Well so did uncle Lou apparently. In his post game comments to the press he said,"Obviously if we're not scoring runs we'll have to put our best defense out there, thats for sure." Get ready for the possibility of a heavy dose of Tyler Colvin, &/or Xavier Nady in the days ahead. 
 
  That's if it's not just Lou's frustration talking, although he didn't appear to be angry when he said it.
 

All of us who saw the game know how well Alfonso Soriano played in the outfield today. So does Uncle Lou, apparently; In his post game comments to the press he said, "Obviously if we're not scoring runs we'll have to put our best defense out there, that's for sure." Get ready for the possibility of a heavy dose of Tyler Colvin, and/or Xavier Nady in the days ahead. 
 
That's if it's not just Lou's frustration talking, although he didn't appear to be angry when he said it.
 

With their first road trip of the season in the books, the Cubs have a 2-4 record.

The good news is that the Cubs could easily be 5-1 right now if a handful of innings had gone a little differently. The bad news is that the Cubs were denied that 5-1 record because of those innings.

I think it is safe to say that, although the team's first week of games had it's share of ups and downs, the poor play has outweighed the good, and is at the forefront of Cubs fans' minds.

The performance of the bullpen was a key concern for the Cubs coming into the season.

Other than Carlos Marmol, who has yet to blow a save since he was proclaimed the closer late last season, this Cubs team offers little in the way of relief.

Sure, there is Sean Marshall, but he can't pitch every day. 

But the "cure" to the bullpen woes may not be solved by another Jason Frasor or Heath Bell rumor.

It may be eased if the team can figure out how to score more runs, so that every game is not a tightrope act.

Hey, the bullpen, except for the aforementioned Marshall and Marmol, has been bad.

Well, the inevitable happened Thursday, and the Cubs took home their first 'W ' for the 2010 season. Cubs pitcher Randy Wells (1-0) pitched remarkably well, although I still believe he could go back to catching full time, and perform to the Cubs' standard .

Well, the inevitable happened Thursday, and the Cubs took home their first 'W ' for the 2010 season. Cubs pitcher Randy Wells (1-0) pitched remarkably well, although I still be he could go back to catching full time, and perform to the Cubs' standard .

There are several very nice things to be taken from this game.

In the first three games of the Chicago Cubs' 2010 season, both Sean Marshall and John Grabow have appeared in each game. Each man is a left-handed pitcher in manager Lou Piniella's bullpen. That is where all similarities end.

Marshall has logged 4 1/3 innings, striking out seven batters and allowing no base-runners.

Grabow, meanwhile, has thrown 1 1/3 innings, giving up two hits and a walk.

Must I say I told you so?

Thursday, Tyler Colvin, 24, made his first start of the 2010 season at Turner Field for the Cubs after slow starts from Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome, and the entire Chicago offense for that matter.

Colvin faced numerous skeptics after demolishing opponents in spring training—the outfielder hit .468 while slugging .753 and driving in 18 RBI’s in 77 plate appearances—but few of those doubters still remain.

The Cubs had high expectations going into 2009, but they were a disappointment coming out of it.

There were antics. There were injuries.

Look, when you're a long-suffering Cubs fans like myself, you have to find your success's where you can.

So, when I heard the news that the Cubs passed the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees for the highest non-premium average ticket, I shouted: "We're Number One! We're Number One!"

OK, so this isn't much to get excited about. In fact, it hurts because going to Wrigley Field is just so darn expensive these days that as a family man, I just can't afford it.