There’s been a distinct lack of interest around these parts about the Chicago Cubs and the 2013 season. Maybe it’s the hangover from a horrible 2012. Maybe it’s the low expectations for 2013. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s because we’re all a bunch of jerks who don’t believe in Chris Rusin. But Chris Rusin believes in us, and that’s all we need right now (side note: Chris Rusin doesn’t believe in us, I made up that part). Mr. Rusin did throw a gem of a Cactus League game Thursday.
“I didn’t know I’d do that well against them today,” Rusin said. “I had movement and had early action and kept my defenders on their toes and not on their heels.”
Rusin could be an option for the Cubs bullpen. Right now, the only left-hander set is James Russell and there are openings.
“I don’t really think about that at all,” he said. “I just go out there and if they tell me to pitch, I’ll pitch. If they want me to throw two innings, I’ll throw two innings, if it’s five, like I did today — whatever they want me to do, I’ll do.”
What they want you to do is pitch well in real games. Can you do that?
“If they tell me to bat in the four-hole, I’ll go in and bat in the four-hole,” Rusin said of his willingness to do whatever the Cubs want. “I probably won’t get a hit but that’s what I’ll do.”
That’s not what I said. No one wants you batting clean-up, weirdo. What we want to know is, have you learned anything?
“I feel getting my feet wet last year [in the big leagues] will help me if I get up there this year,” Rusin said.
Is “getting one’s feet wet” a euphemism for being bad at pitching?
One thing we do know is that Rusin won’t be a part of the starting rotation, at least to start the season. We have a rotation, and if you were hoping Edwin Jackson would start the home opener, you’re in luck. But before all that…
Sveum announced the rotation for the first week of the season with Jeff Samardzija starting Opening Day against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 1 followed by Jackson and Travis Wood to wrap up the series. Scott Feldman, Carlos Villanueva and Samardzija will start in Atlanta against the Braves April 5-7.
Good news, anyone attending the first home series of 2013: you won’t have to see Spellcheck start a game.
Almora is broken:
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/18864733-419/cubs-top-prospect-albert-almora-breaks-hamate-bone.html
HELLO? Hello? hello?……
Cue Nirvana…
It’s been a good day so far…I’m rallying the troupes on twitter to call for the demolition of Wrigley.
Looks like Greg Maddux is on twitter now…
https://twitter.com/31gregmaddux
*crickets*
I’ve been unavailable for most of the week, and this is what happens.
I need to say something controversial to get some convo started here…
Um…
Ok…
The Cubs should trade Starlin Castro and get good prospects for him and let Baez play shortstop.
Which prospects are we talking about? Because if we are talking about a catching prospect who would be ready next year, I’d listen to see what kind of pitching would be included in such a deal.
Which prospects? I think the Cubs should get all the prospects for Castro. Every single one of them.
What could go wrong? Sign me up!
“occasional frog croak”
Meh.
I leave for a couple of months and come back to nothing impressive in CubbieVille. So much for my hopes and dreams. I might go back into hiding.
This place was a lot more lively last week.
This is the week before Spring Break. Everyone likes to schedule their workshops and seminars this week. I had little time for the sadness that is the 2013 Cubs.
Sorry about that.
I have the day off,but have been trying to get a leg wedge to ice my knee,as the heat seemsto have undone everything I did in physical therapy. Watching the Cubs, too bad is theSux announcers…
Is it just me,or if you are the “executive director of communications” for the white Sox, shouldn’t you be wearing some kind of a jacket? And they are practically begging people to watch the Sux…
“you won’t have to see Spellcheck start a game”
Hell, he’s our flippin’ ACE!!! Don’t we WANT to see him start a game??
Oh — we don’t?
Apparently the flu is still out there and I have it. Be good to Carl while I’m out.
*sad trombone*
Don’t die on us…I don’t think I could really handle that.