Game Twenty-Four: Cubs (13-10) vs. Pirates (7-19)
Game Time - 7:05pm C.T. on Comcast SportsNet, WGN Radio, XM Radio Channel 187
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago
Sean Marshall (2-0, 4.22) vs. Victor Santos (1-4, 6.48)
The Cubs look to rookie Sean Marshall to end the 2-game losing streak. Marshall picked up his first career victory against the Pirates on April 14th. Marshall is 2-0 in his young career. but most importantly the Cubs have not lost when Marshall has started the ballgame (4-0). The Cubs finished the first month of the season 3 games above 500 and in 4th place in the Central Division 3 games back of the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals.
The Cubs offense was a no show on Saturday and Sunday and they only have 39 hits on this home stand....and 13 came against the Brewers on Friday. While I questioned adding another player to this team before the weekend series against the Brewers, I now think it is imperative they do so. Aramis Ramirez is back under the Mendoza Line and Jacque Jones is not too far behind him. Todd Walker and Ronny Cedeno have cooled off and they are the only two players in the everyday lineup with averages above .300.
The offense is struggling and it needs a spark and maybe the calendar change will be what the doctor ordered. The Cubs' offense is currently ranked 9th in the league and they are hitting .260 as a team and with the lack of effectiveness over the last few days, the pitching staff dropped from 4th to 11th over the weekend and the team ERA is now at 4.66 after 23 games.
The good news for the offense is they are facing the worst pitching staff in the National League and could build some confidence over the next few days against the Pirates and long as the Cubs do not play to the level of their competition....which historically has been a problem....two games against the Pirates could be the answer to a lot of problems. The Cubs are 3-3 on this home stand and anything less than a 2-game sweep over the Pirates would be unacceptable. The Pirates are the worst road team in the league and are under achieving this season.
Juan Pierre is the key to this series for the Cubs. When he gets on base, the Cubs relax and perform the way they are capable of. The Cubs depend on Pierre and with Lee out and the lack of leadership skills of Aramis Ramirez, Pierre has to step up and lead by example. The Cubs need to forget who is on the mound and just play their game, the hits will come....its just the wins that need to follow.
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Tonight's lineup:
Pierre
Cedeno
Walker
Ramirez
Murton
Jones
Barrett
Mabry
Marshall
I honestly believe that the Cubs lack of execution in the bottom of the 4th is unfortunately going to come back to haunt them.
Marshall has only 42 pitches through 4 full innings. That is exactly what we needed.
That should have been an out....Wilson was out of the basepath. C'mon guys don't waste this gem by Marshall
It's very hard for a team to gain momentum back after blowing an opportunity like we did. I feel horrible for Marshall....that just ain't right.
Hey if anyone sees the Cubs offense, can they give them directions to Wrigley? Hurry please, they're leaving for Arizona in less than 24 hours.
Let's go guys...win this for Marshall. Great job, 4 pitch walk to Walker...Ramirez has to do something, he is way past due...
Mr. Clutch does it again!!!! Get some insurance Jacque....make up for the 4th inning and turn it over to Dempster
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!
Is it wrong for a man to love Murton ? This kid is C-L-U-T-C-H !!! This game was huge, and should take the pressure off of Guzman. I'd proud of these guys, bc they could have layed down when the air was taken out of them. The sign of a good team.