Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Astros - 07/18/06

Game Ninety-Two: Cubs (35-56) vs. Astros (45-48)
Game Time - 7:05pm C.T. Comcast SportsNet, WGN Radio, XM Radio Channel 184
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Carlos Marmol (2-3, 4.23) vs. Roy Oswalt (6-6, 3.06)

It has been 48 hours....will there be a hangover from Sunday night? The last time the Cubs faced Roy Oswalt they beat him 1-0 behind Sean Marshall. Oswalt has been a victim of no run support his last 5 outings and is 0-3 with a 2.30 ERA including a loss in relief just before the All-Star break against the Cardinals. Oswalt is 1-1 this season against the Cubs with a 2.40 ERA.

Carlos Marmol has been very impressive at times for the Cubs, but that "one bad inning" continues to follow him from start to start. Last time out against the Brewers he walked the bases loaded in the 1st inning, but calmed down and held the Brewers to just 1 run in 6 innings of work. Marmol needs to throw a complete game, not in innings pitched, but in location, command and effectiveness. He must throw strikes and not give the Astros any advantages. The last time out against the Astros, he walked 7 (2 were intentional) and could not make it through the 5th inning and it was his shortest and arguably his worst start of the season. Opponents are hitting .215 against Marmol but his walk to strikeout ratio is beyond alarming his last two starts....he has walked 12 and only struck out 5 in his last 10 1/3 innings.

The Cubs offense has not been a problem as of late but tonight will be a different story. Oswalt throws strikes and seldom makes mistakes but the Cubs must make Oswalt work and not give the All-Star any help. The Cubs have been extremely patient (at least for them) as of late and they must continue that against Oswalt tonight. The Astros have trouble scoring runs as well and the game could be decided by which starting pitching makes the first mistake. If Marmol is on, this could be a very good pitching match-up to watch.

Let's Talk Cubbies Baseball....

Jason B. from AZ

Cubs win! Nice job for Marmol...gotta keep putting him out there every 5 days, to get some seasoning, and to see if he figures into the starting rotation plans next year or not.

Hey...I just noticed that the Dodgers put Kent on the DL with an oblique injury...those can be tough injuries (just ask Prior) to deal with. Hey...I know...the Cubs happen to have a few extra 2nd basemen, named Todd Walker and Neifi Perez! How awesome is that! Take them, LA...please!!!!

Neil

Those lead off walks just kill.

Jason, I think you hit the nail on the head. If Walker is traded I wouldn't be surprised to see Neifi but Freddie Bynum is supposed to be back soon and I have wondered would he become the "everyday" 2nd baseman. If I remember correctly that is his natural position.

Jason B. from AZ

Neil,

If you don't start Walker, and you start Neifi instead, that means one of two things:

1. You are trying to showcase Neifi for a trade.

2. You would rather play Neifi than Theriot.

If #2 is correct, that means if Walker is traded, we will see Neifi just about everyday the rest of the year...how does that help this club this year or in 2007?

Neil

Tonight's lineup was just posted:

Pierre - CF

Barrett - C

Lee - 1B

Ramirez - 3B

Jones - RF

Nevin - LF

Perez - 2B

Cedeno - SS

Marmol - P

Jason, there are a lot of rumors around Walker and Nevin right now. Both are rumored to be receiving interest from the Giants. I do think there is some showcasing, but doesn't Walker hit incredibly bad against Oswalt? I hesitate to say this but I do not think Neifi is going anywhere...he signed a 2-year deal why would anyone want to take that contract...same with Glendon Rusch, although I have heard rumors about him on XM.

They should play Walker more right now if the intent is to trade him, no doubt.

Jason B. from AZ

Neil,

I heard the N&N boys are starting today: Nevin and Neifi. Is this true?

If so, the only reason, and I mean ONLY reason they better be starting is to showcase them for a trade...otherwise, this just makes no sense at all.

The fine manager of the Chicago Cubs may still think he has to win every game to save his job, and that may be costing our youth ample opportunities to get experience and improve.

I really hope the manager and Hendry are on the same page, and that this is just showcasing for a trade. If not, Hendry has to do something, or say something, because this season will not improve with Nevin and Neifi starting games, and it won't help next year either.

By the way, do you think they should play Walker more, or less, to increase his trade value at this point? Can he hurt his value more than he can help it at this point?