Even as the Cubs continue what we hope will be a march to 2013′s number one draft pick, we can still enjoy them beating the Astros, right? That’s just what happened yesterday, on the strength of Anthony Rizzo’s first home run as a Cub. In what could be the most surprising development of the summer, Carlos Marmol didn’t look terrible again when he came in to close out the victory. He’s been throwing more fastballs and throwing more strikes.
“There’s no question (the fastball has helped),” manager Dale Sveum said. “He’s throwing his fastball in the strike zone. If he doesn’t, it’s just missing and he’s able to come back and do some things. He’s still going to throw his slider, but his fastball is still going to be very important to be able to throw, especially the velocity. Hitters see 94, 95 (mph) and it speeds them up.”
And it makes things a bit easier for Dale with the rest of the pen, too.
“It gets the bullpen a little more stable with Marmol going back in the closer role and (James) Russell and (Shawn) Camp being able to mix and match in the seventh or eighth innings,” Sveum said. “(Manuel) Corpas has done a nice job against right-handed hitters, so you’re able to mix and match from the sixth through the ninth inning.”
I smell an 80-something game winning streak!
Today’s attempt at a 3-game winning streak starts at 1:20 Central. On the mound will be Wandy Rodriguez (6-5, 3.52) and Travis Wood (2-3, 3.54). Lineup:
Johnson CF
Castro SS
Rizzo 1B
Baker RF
Soto C
Mather LF
Barney 2B
Valbuena 3B
T. Wood P
You can watch it on CSN should you so desire.
Go Cubs. Shhhhhhhhhh
I’m watching soccer. Someone keep me in the loop.
Oh! Look who posts now? The West Coast posse had to post yesterday,because the rest of Loho apparently melted in the heat. And look, once again only chicagoland viewers can see the game. I know,there’s game day,but I’m sick and really don’t want to look at a monitor…
I guess it’s just the West Coast Posse again today…
Wood pitching and hitting. hold on cubbies.Trying to be low-key and not jinx this
We need to keep Barney
Absolutely.
The Sean Marshal trade is beginning to look a lot better…
Where’s Doc? I guess he doesn’t like to make fun of us. What’s up with that?
They’re bringing a special Rizzo reliever!!!
Boo! It worked.
Cubs sweep Astros
Cubs win!!!!!’
T Wood: 19.1 scoreless innings!? Did I see that correctly?!
consecutive that is.
My points fantasy team says so. He won the week for me!!!!
LaHair is going to the All-Star game?
And AJ isn’t because no one wants to play with him.
As a reserve-Castro too….
I like LaHair, and he’s on my roto team, but….
either nobody is looking lately to notice he is platooning…OR
current management needs to leave him play ALL the time like he should be doing.