Carlos Marmol came in yesterday’s game to slam the door on the Cubs’ shutout of the Red Sox. He managed to load the bases then get out of the jam, so he’s now back in the closer role. Dale Sveum visited him on the mound after loading the bases. I wonder what he said to Carlos?

“He didn’t tell me any nice thing,” Marmol said. “He let me (stay in). It was nice, and I appreciate it. He said to just throw strikes, ‘I don’t want to take you out of the game, let’s go.’”

Does Sveum have any good reason for throwing Marmol back into the lion’s den?

“We made a conscious effort a couple days ago (to let Marmol close) because the way things had been going to solidify the bullpen,” Sveum said.

(snip)

“(Marmol’s use of his slider) wasn’t as bad as we’ve seen in the past,” Sveum said. “At least he has some conviction with his fastball now when he throws it, not like I am going to waste it and go back to my slider.”

That must be what Dale said when he visited the mound. “Throw your fastball with conviction!” » Continue reading “Saturday Headlines/Game Thread: Red Sox @ Cubs, 6:15 Central”