Cubs-Brewers Never Disappoints
The Cubs wrapped up a 3-game series against the Brewers tonight, and all three games lived up to the hype. Some thoughts:
-
Freaking Kevin Gregg. He's yet another in the long line of on-and-on-and-on crappy closer acquisitions for the Cubs. Antonio Alfonseca, Mel Rojas, Dave Smith, Latroy Hawkins, Rick Aguilera. Name your loser. He's now given up a run in every appearance, and I put the over-under on him being replaced by Marmol at 1.5 weeks (which means he has about a half a week left). What can I say about Marmol that hasn't already been said. He was awesome on Saturday. He was awesome today. I love him in the 7th and 8th in high leverage situations, but I also love not having to hide under a blanket and pray for every 9th inning out. We were spoiled last year with Wood.
-
Is it me, or does it seem like Prince Fielder always strikes out to make the final out in Cubs victories? Marmol got him Saturday, Gregg got him today. I recall an epic dual with Wood last September. I like it. Although he still scares the crap out of me every time he swings.
-
Alfonso Soriano!! Mr. All-or-Nothing is Mr. Everything right now. His bomb Saturday had me jumping out of my seat. His leadoff homer tonight almost seemed pre-ordained. I swear, I've never flip-flopped as much as I have with my opinion of Soriano. This week, I'm thinking he's the smartest $136 million that Hendry ever spent. Next week I'll probably calling for his benching again. Unreal.
-
Milton Bradley had to leave tonight's game. Every time I watch him run the bases or run down a fly ball, I hold my breath. Its kind of like watching Rich Harden pitch last year. Every time he whips his arm back, I feared it was going to break off like Dave Dravecky. Bradley has got to play 120 games this year for the Cubs to have a chance.
-
How about his replacement tonight, Reed Johnson? Play of the year. And unlike last year's amazing catch, the Cubs actually held on to win the game.
-
Kosuke Fukudome has been raking all week, shutting me and my DFA-calling mouth right up. Speaking of my stupid judge-a-season-by-watching-five-games analysis, I smell another wild conclusion jump in 3...2...1...
-
It's official: Derrek Lee has warning track power. Does it even seem possible for him to hit 15 homers this year? I know its possible, it just doesn't seem like it.
So the Cubs are 4-2 with Jason Marquis and the Rockies coming to town for the home opener. And imagine if they had Soto healthy or a decent bullpen? Or more than one hit from Milton Bradley. Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen.
Go, Cubs!