The Chicago Cubs look like they have started to take away some of the question marks surrounding this team.
How can a pitching staff that's so good on paper (maybe the best in the National league, when healthy) keep losing one run games? Ted Lilly got the win in a close 2-1 ballgame.
How can an offense that was so potent and productive last year not be scoring runs consistently? The Cubs, combined with a masterful performance from Ryan Dempster, shut out the Dodgers 7-0.
Now, a new question mark has come into place. Did the Cubs make the right decision in choosing Sean Marshall as their fifth starter? This particular question mark will be addressed when Rich Harden returns from the disabled list, when Marshall will almost certainly be sent to the bullpen to take the place of Neal Cotts, who was the lone lefty in the 'pen.
Randy Wells, (0-2, 1.80 ERA) has pitched a lot better than his record will tell you and will take over the fifth starter position on a permanent basis.
Marshall (3-4, 4.73 ERA) struggled through the first inning of a prime time Sunday night game, allowing five runs. He was not mixing his pitches well, and didn't throw what many consider to be his best pitch, his 12-6 curve ball. In fact, when asked what happened to Marshall in the first inning, that's exactly what Piniella blamed the horrifying inning on.
Did Cubs fans ever think they would miss Jason Marquis (7-3, 3.93 ERA) as their fifth starter? While Marshall looked shaky in this last start, Marquis has found a way to win seven games with a team who doesn't seem to have a snowball's chance of competing in the NL West.
In fact, Marshall's start reminded me of a Marquis start; the only difference is Marshall was able to find the strike zone, he just wasn't fooling the Dodgers hitters. He allowed five hits before recording an out in that dismal first inning.
Two of four from the Dodgers is still fantastic, in my opinion. There were certainly bright spots among the negatives that easily stick out.
Ryan Dempster (4-3, 4.48 ERA) pitched three hit, shutout ball en route to his fourth win of the season. Dempster hadn't been pitching as well as he had last year when he won 17 games, but a shut out of the best run scorers in the league may be just what Dempster needed to regain some of the confidence he lost from his last start against the Pirates, that back and forth game that ended in an 8-10 loss. It was also the last time Neal Cotts pitched for the team, who was demoted (thank God).
Reed Johnson was able to play center field for the series because Los Angeles only used left handed pitchers in the series. Johnson was fantastic, going 8-12 in the series, including a couple home runs and one of the most beautiful squeeze bunts I've ever seen.
The Cubs will now start a nine game road trip Tuesday night in Atlanta, after a much needed off day. Hopefully the team carries the mentality that they split a series with the best team in baseball rather than thinking about their horrific 8-2 loss.
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