Just in case you don't follow me on Twitter (@FrostyAustin), which I do not blame you, considering you are already reading this—following me on a social network may drive you to insanity 140 characters at a time—you missed out on this tweet brigade inspired by Sean Marshall's 7th inning heroics last night.
@FrostyAustin: Sean "The Adonis" Marshall, fresh off a 50/50 Svedka/Riptide Rush mixer in the pen, steps into the 1 run ballgame.
approximately 1 minute later...
@FrostyAustin: Sean "The Adonis" Marshall should be able to pitch in one of those trendy button-downs from J. Crew that are seemingly made of tissue paper.
3 minutes later...
@FrostyAustin: Sean "The Adonis" Marshall does it again. Someone get him a cigarette and an 85 lb. model to take back to the batting cage.
As you can see, "The Adonis", which is defined in Greek Mythology as a handsome youth loved by both Aphrodite and Persephone (in this case myself and Quade), has made coming in and closing the door on a prospective opponent's run look all too nonchalant. The 6'7'', 220 lb. southpaw consistently breaks loose from the restrictions of the pen and all of the mustache growing and insinuating scuttlebutt that goes on down there only to enter a baseball game set awry by the Cubs' fatigued starter.
Perhaps it's his 12-6 deuce, pinpoint slider or consistent fastball that I find to be therapeutic in watching Marshall pitch, but Sean has solidified himself as one of the most trusted names in royal-blue pinstripes.
In 2010, #45 pitched 74.2 innings as a back-end reliever and managed to rack up 90 K's compared to a meager 58 hits; all while holding his ERA below 2.65 and striking out 10.8 batters per 9. If not for Carlos Marmol's superhuman season in '10 in which it seemed like he was hurling frozen peas at hitters, Marshall's name would have drawn some serious recognition.
If you thought that was his year, wait until you hear what 2011 had in store for the city's favorite stoic strikeout artist. His alma mater, Virginia Commonwealth, reached the Final Four, and his career-long aspiration to become a starting pitcher might conceivably come true (that is, if it were up to me). Trust me, no pitcher wants to settle for being a 7th inning specialist. That's like majoring in Art History so you can give tours of the Kindergarten art classroom down the street from the Institute.
Prior to this post, I have expressed concern with the Cubs having a 5 man, all right-handed rotation. Then, when Randy Wells suffered an injury in the season's opening week, a rotation spot opened up. So what do the Cubs to? Start Casey Coleman, who went on to garner a 7.20 ERA after his first start. I'd rather have Derrick Coleman, Gary Coleman, or a Coleman cooler on the mound rather than this geek. What the Cubs don't realize is what they need is right in front of them.
It's like Omar Epps having to get down with Gabrielle Union (Shawnee Easton) and Tyra Banks (Kyra Kessler) in Love and Basketball before he realizes that he should be playing 1-on-1 with Sanaa Lathan to determine his matrimony.
The Cubs are in desperate need of a lefty starter and they're taking out a singles ad in the Trib that reads "Wanted: wholesome, smart woman" when they have a Natalie Portman-Anne Hathaway crossbreed in their culdesac. Sure, he's great in his current role, but you can't steal 2nd and keep your foot on 1st. "He is Marshall".
As for Pick of the Day, the Pulse Man got the nod last night as the Cubs held on in Space City. For tonight, the Pulse Man likes the Mets over the Rockies in the Big Apple.
Pick of the Day: Rockies (Rogers) @ Mets (Niese)- METS (-109)
Record:(64-51-0)
Now I'm done. Rack me
Frost
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