Who would have thought Carlos Silva would be 5-0 to start the season? Definitely not me as I wasn’t even counting on Silva being a contributor to this team after coming over from the Mariners. I will give Silva credit though as he does have a 3.35 ERA go go along with that 5-0 record.

Tyler Colvin needs to get more playing time. I don’t care if it is in left field or in right field this kid can hit the ball and needs to be in the lineup.

Starlin Castro had some growing pains the first week in the big leagues especially on defense but since then those quick five errors the kid as really settled down and is playing great. Castro currently leads the team with a .350 batting average (only 40 at bats) and has five walks compared to three strikeouts. The kid simply puts the ball in play and makes something happen.

Carlos Zambrano is headed back into the rotation. Big Z pitched the ninth inning on Tuesday night against the Rockies but look for him to be back in the rotation as soon as he can get his arm stretched out and prepared to be a starter once again. The setup man role did not fit Zambrano well but I give him credit for going to the pen and giving it a try.

Aramis Ramirez still isn’t hitting the ball on a constant basis.

The Cubs remain 5.5 games out of first place heading into the Wednesday night game in Philadelphia. They do have a huge upcoming series against the Cardinals at home and that series could be the make or break point in the first half in my opinion. Win that series and pick up a few games on the Cardinals and the Cubs will be right there in the thick of things.

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Cubs News and Notes May 18th

“I talked to Carlos [Zambrano] today and told him we really needed him in the bullpen, and that we felt he could do a nice job for us,” Piniella said. “He said he’d do what’s best for the team. I’m very appreciative. He talked about maturing [this year]. This proves it to me.”

“Lou called me into the office today and asked me if I wanted to go to the bullpen and help this team in the seventh and eighth innings,” Zambrano said. “I said, ‘Whatever you want me to do, I’m here for this team and I’m here to help this team. If you want me to go to the bullpen, I’ll go. If you want to keep me in the rotation, I will.’”

They say the move is temporary but who knows how long that means. It could be for a few games or it could be for six weeks. It all depends on how well Z can throw the ball as the setup man and if the starters can continue to throw the ball good and go deep in games. Carlos Silva did just that Wednesday night and the Cubs offense came out of no where to beat the Mets 9-3.

So right now the Cubs has a setup man that has not pitched in the bullpen since 2002 and is also earning $18 million dollars this year. I just hope this move doesn’t mess with Zambrano’s head any more. Can this guy stay calm and enter the game with a couple of runners on base and one or two outs and get out of the jam? For some reason I don’t know if he can get his control issues under control that quick. It could turn out ugly…

Cubs Blog

Zambrano headed to the bullpen

Carlos Zambrano once again struggled as he lasted just five innings. Big Z did strike out seven Brewers but also gave up three walks and allowed four runs to score. The wind was a factor in the game as it was blowing out at 18 MPH but Zambrano knows that he needs to keep the ball down and he simply did not get the job done.

The bullpen wasn’t any better as Sean Marshall, Jeff Samardzija and John Grabrow all gave up runs in relief. I don’t think Samardzija will be getting very many more opportunities in close games as Lou has to be running out of patience with the right hander.

The one nice thing in the game and series was how well the Cubs hit the ball. The warm weather helped get the bats going which is something Cubs fans are not used to seeing in April during home games. Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Marlon Byrd all hit home runs but despite the three dingers, it was still not enough to get the victory.

All in all, I’m happy with the first series at home. You take two out of three every series and you will be right where you want to be at the end of the season. The teams record now sits at 4-5 on the year as they start up a weekend series with the Astros who finally picked up their first win of the season against the Cardinals.

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Cubs unable to complete the sweep over the Brew Crew

The Cubs bullpen was an up and down story the rest of the game. Sean Marshall and James Russell pitched well but Jeff Samardzija was charged with six runs and Justin Berg was charged with another two. Way too many walks by the bullpen especially when you were already battling back to get into the game.

The Cubs bright spot of the game was two swings. Marlon Byrd hit a three-run home run in the top of the first inning to put the Cubs up 3-0 and Aramis Ramirez added a two-run home run in the third inning. Five runs will usually win the ball game for you when you have your “ace” on the mound but right now I don’t think you can call any pitcher on the Cubs roster an “ace”.

Hopefully the team can bounce back and get a win on Wednesday night to even up the series at one game each. Follow us on twitter as I’ll be tweeting live during the game. @chicagocubsblog

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Zambrano rocked as Cubs drop first game of season

The Cubs will kick off their 2010 Spring Training games this afternoon against the Oakland Athletics. No matter how the game goes this afternoon, there are questions that the Cubs and management will need to address before the season starts. To me, these are the keys of the 2010 Cubs season.

1. Will Carlos Zambrano win 15 games this season?
2. Will Ted Lilly recover from his injuries?
3. Will Alfonso Soriano finally play in 150 games in one season for the Cubs?
4. Is Aramis Ramirez’s shoulder 100% and can he stay off of the disabled list?
5. Can Derrek Lee stay healthy?
6. Who will win the second base job? Mike Fontenot or Jeff Baker?

One thing if for certain. Anything that new center fielder Marlon Byrd does will be an improvement over Milton Bradley did in 2009. Having Byrd in center will also allow Kosuke Fukudome to move back to his natural right field position.

Let’s set back and see how some of these spring training games go and hope that the team stays injury free. Staying injury free and getting Ted Lilly back will be the keys to the Cubs starting off the season on the right in my mind. Let’s just hope that it happens.

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Cubs ready for first Spring Training 2010 game

Zambrano struck out eight and gave up five hits before being pulled after throwing 98 pitches. Big Z was not happy with coming out of the game and he let Lou know about it as he walked back into the dugout. As Zambrano walked back to the dugout, replays showed Lou just smiling as he waiting on the mound for John Grabow to enter the game.

Grabow, and Carlos Marmol both threw scoreless inning and Marmol picked up the save which was his 11th of the season. Marmol sure is showing the team that he wants that spot full time in 2010. One bullpen guy did not have a good game and that was Kevin Gregg again. Gregg was taken deep for a three run home run by former Cub Ronny Cedeno. Gregg, it was nice knowing you, (not really) but your time as a Cub should and will hopefully be over after this season.

Micah Hoffpauir hit a solo home run and also had a sac fly as he finished the game with two rbi. Catcher Koyie Hill also knocked in a pair of runs with a rbi single. The offense really swung the bats good in Pittsburgh. Hopefully the off day on Thursday won’t throw them off stride.

The Cubs will begin a weekend series with the Cincinatti Reds on Friday. Need to keep on winning if they want any shot at making the wildcard. I know it is a very small shot, but who knows what can happen.

- Cliff

Cubs Blog

Cubs sweep Pirates but is it too late?

Despite winnings two out of three games, the Cubs find themselves ten games out in the division as the Cardinals just continue to pile up the wins. In the wild card, the Cubs are 5.5 games back with four teams ahead of them in the standings.

I would not expect to see Alfonso Soriano play a whole lot the remainder of the season. Soriano received a cortisone shot to help out with some inflamation around his knee and has not played the past couple of days. I would rather just see Soriano take it easy and get Jake Fox some more playing time in left field.

Win will Carlos Zambrano have another dominating performance? He has stunk it up since coming back from the disabled list. Eleven hits in 3 1/3 innings simply is not earning your pay check Carlos!

Milton Bradley had a great weekend and has been swinging the bat like Cubs fans had hoped for when he signed a three year free agent contract in the off season. I’ll give Milton some good press even though the media is all over him for what he says in his interview. I’m one fan that would like to see Bradley in a Cubs uniform next season. I think he is still capable of being a very good baseball player and he can do that for the Cubs in my opinion.

- Cliff

Cubs Blog

Cubs take two of three against the Mets

Zambrano wasn’t the only Cubs pitcher to struggle even though he did give up eight runs. Aaron Heilman allowed a grand slam to Elijah Dukes while Sean Marshall and Tom Gorzelanny were both charged with three runs each. Just not a good night to be a Cubs pitcher.

Milton Bradley had the hot bat for the Cubs as he went 4-4 but it doesn’t matter when your pitching staff struggles. Bradley, Zambrano and Jeff Baker all hit solo home runs in the game but the solo shots did little damage to the Nationals pitching staff. Geovany Soto had a rbi double in the game as well as he looks to get out of his season long slump.

Oh yeah, why the hell was Aaron Miles in the game again even it was in a pitch hitters role?

Things sure don’t look for this ball team right now.

- Cliff

Cubs Blog

Cubs get embarrassed by the Nationals 15-6

So now after winning the two games on Friday and Saturday the Cubs are currently 4.5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the division and three games out of the wild card. The Rockies and Marlins are currently playing and so every Cubs fan should be hoping for a Marlins win. From here on out the Rockies, Marlins, Giants and Braves are the teams that Cubs fans need to pay attention too. I really don’t see the team catching the Cardinals but the wild card is there for the taking.

Some good news for the team is that Ted Lilly will be returning to the rotation in San Diego and Carlos Zambrano is scheduled to make a start at Class A on Thursday as he rehabs. The team will also welcome back Aramis Ramirez to the lineup in San Diego. So everything isn’t lost for the Cubs, they really need to have a good series against the Padres however.

With the series out in San Diego, I will more than likely be posting in the mornings rather than the evenings since the games start so late. Remember to check out our in-game updates via twitter @chicagocubsblog

- Cliff

Cubs Blog

Cubs take two and are rained out on Sunday

Friday’s Notes:

• Carlos Marmol is charged with three runs in the eighth inning as the Marlins beat the Cubs 5-2.
• Rich Harden strikes out eleven batters but lasts just five innings.
• Jake Fox hits a two run home run for the teams only runs.

Saturday’s Notes:

• Cubs win 9-8 in ten innings.
• Kevin Gregg blows the save in the ninth inning by giving up three runs.
• Derrek Lee saves Gregg’s butt with a solo home run in the top of the tenth for the game winning hit.
• Carlos Zambrano left the game with a stiff back while Aramis Ramirez left the game after being dizzy and having some pain after being hit by a pitch.

Sunday’s Notes:

• Cubs lose 3-2 and lose two out of three games in the series.
• Kevin Gregg gives up back-to-back home runs in the ninth inning to blow the save and lose the game.
• Derrek Lee and Jake Fox both had one rbi each. Fox’s coming on a solo home run in the ninth inning.
• All three Marlins runs came via solo home runs.
• Thanks to a weird start time and not being local to Chicago I was unable to watch the game thanks to some awesome blackout rules and the game not being available on Extra Innings.

So overall it was an ugly series was the bullpen pitched terrible. Especially Marmol and Gregg. The offense didn’t put many runs on the board but they gave the team a chance to win which Mamol and Gregg blew. Hopefully things will turn around Monday when the team begins a series in Cincinatti.

Cubs Blog

Cubs have a bad series down in Miami

Carlos Zambrano was wild but effective through his five innings of action. Zambrano struck out six batters but walked four Nationals including a bases loaded walk in the first inning that gave the Nationals their only run of the ball game. Big Z once again helped himself out with the bat as he knocked in two runs in the top of the second inning with a two run double.

The Cubs also seen third basemen Aramis Ramirez connect for his fifth home run in the season. Ramirez’s solo home run was his first long bomb since coming off the disabled list due to a dislocated shoulder. Let’s all hope that A-Ram heats up and continues to crush the ball!

I would have to say the story of the night was the Cubs bullpen as I look over box scores and news articles though. Aaron Heilman, Carlos Marmol, Sean Marshall and Kevin Gregg all did a good job out of the pen and kept the Cubs two run lead. The four combined pitchers allowed just two hits over the final four innings of the game. Great job!

Ted Lilly will not be making his start today due to a sore left knee so Randy Wells will be moved up a day and will throw against the Nationals Saturday night.

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Cubs effective enough to beat Nats 3-1

First it was a 2-1 loss on Tuesday night as Carlos Zambrano pitched on short rest as he filled in for Ryan Dempster who was placed on the disabled list with a broken right big toe. Yeah, Dempster broke his toe on the railing as he celebrated a Cubs victory. Just a break that went against the Cubs and Dempster.

Kevin Hart was re-called to take Dempster’s spot in the rotation and got the start on Wednesday afternoon. Hart limited the Braves to a single run but he was getting behind hitters all game long and really didn’t have as good of outing as his stats show. He allowed four hits and one run but walked five braves in just five innings of action.

Casey Kotchman took Angel Guzman deep for a solo home run in the sixth inning that put the Braves up 2-0. At that point, it was going to be hard for the Cubs to come back the way they were swinging the bat but Kosuke Fukudome did help out with a solo shot in the bottom of the inning to make the score 2-1.

However, in the ninth inning Fukudome made a mistake on a line drive that got by him that resulted in a rbi double for Martin Prado. Prado would advance to third base on the error by Fukudome and then score on a wild pitch by Kevin Gregg. Just a bad inning for the Cubs.

So the Cubs are playing like a sub .500 team which they really are at this point. Things just aren’t clicking for them overall. It’s either the pitching sucks and the hitters are on, or the hitting sucks while the pitchers are throwing the ball good. Things just aren’ matching up and things won’t get any easier as the St. Louis Cardinals will be coming to town for four games over three days. This is a huge series before the All Star Break. I suppose you could call it a make or break series at this point.

- Cliff

Cubs Blog

Cubs offense sucks it up one again

I’ll start off by talking about Thursday nights game which I was only able to listen to the final two innings of. Derrek Lee was on fire his first two at bats as he smacked a three run home run in the first inning and then followed that up with a grand slam in the fourth innings. That wasn’t the only home run hitting for the Cubs as Geovany Soto and Jake Fox also went deep in the Cubs 9-5 victory.

Onto today where the Cubs scored the game winning run in the 10th inning on a bases loaded walk to Fox. Fox battled off some close pitches and then took a slider that stayed up high for ball four to force in Ryan Theriot for the winning run. The 2-1 victory currently puts the Cubs just two games out of first place in the division. At worst, they will be 2.5 games back depending how the Cardinals do tonight against the Reds.

Carlos Zambrano got another no decision in the game as he gave up just one run over seven innings of action. Zambrano struck out just three batters but also only allowed five hits to the Brew Crew. Zambrano also helped himself out at the plate as he singled in the fifth inning to score Fox for the Cubs first run of the game.

Kevin Gregg pitched two scoreless innings to finish the game and pick up the win. Gregg improved his record to 3-2. Things almost didn’t go Gregg’s way in the ninth inning after Milton Bradley messed up and lost a ball in the sun in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Gregg battled back and got Ryan Braunt to pop up to Theriot to end the threat.

So far so good in the big series as you look back at both games so far. With Rich Harden getting the start on Saturday afternoon, I like the Cubs chances to win their third game of the series and inch closer towards first place. I hope everyone has safe and happy July 4th weekend. Hopefully we can all take a break from the festivities and catch the game tomorrow but if not, check back here Sunday and we will have the games blogged about!

- Cliff

Cubs Blog

Cubs beat Brewers on bases loaded walk

Good job Gregg, way to blow another game for the team. I’ve blogged over and over that Gregg is not a capable closer for this team. This was the third time this season that he has blown a save and is now 2-2 on the season. I wish I would have been able to start off this article talking about Micah Hoffpauir hitting a go ahead two run blast in the eighth inning but that is pretty much forgotten thanks to Gregg.

Carlos Zambano ends up with a no decision as well in the game. Big Z tossed seven innings and limited the Tigers to just five hits and three runs. Zambrano gave up a two run home run to Brandon Inge and a rbi triple to Placido Polanco in the game. Not a bad outing for Zambrano but not good enough to get the victory in the end.

The Cubs offense wasn’t hitting the ball that well tonight as they faced off against Tigers starter Edwin Jackson. Jackson held the Cubs to just four hits and two runs over his seven innings of action. Derrek Lee did extend his hitting streak to 20 with a double in the sixth inning. Lee also had a rbi in the first inning when he scored Alfonso Soriano on a fielders choice. Geovany Soto added a sacrafice fly in the sixth inning as well.

So now instead of being up 1-0 in the series the Cubs are down 0-1 and will have to face Rick Porcello who is 8-4 on the season. Had the Cubs won tonight, I really liked their chances of winning two out of three in Detroit and winning the series. Not now, I don’t think the Cubs will beat Porcello, but they should win on Thursday.

Keep those heads up Cubs fans. One of these times Gregg will actually do his job.

- Cliff

Cubs Blog

Ryan Raburn says take that Kevin Gregg!

Kevin Gregg actually held the White Sox scoreless in the top of the ninth inning and then it was lead off man Alfonso Soriano delivering the game winning base hit to score Reed Johnson who led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a sacfrafice by Andres Blanco. Soriano then knocked a single to right center field off White Sox pitcher Matt Thornton to score the winning run.

This was exactly the type of win the team needed. A come from behind rally where it got their emotions going and to come out on top was just the icing on top in my opinion. This will hopefully give them a little spring to their step and they will start playing better baseball.

Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano pitched a pretty good game until he ran into trouble in the seventh inning when Alexei Ramirez hit a two run home run to put the White Sox on top by the score of 3-1. Zambrano gave up six hits and three runs in seven innings of action on the mound.

Way to go guys! The bats woke up and finally did some damage! Now will it continue over into the weekend series with the Cleveland Indians who will be in town for a three game series. Welcome back Mark DeRosa and Kerry Wood!

- Cliff

Cubs Blog

Late inning rally wins it for the Cubs!