Game Twenty: Cubs (12-7) vs. Marlins (5-13)
Game Time – 1:20 pm C.T. on WGN TV, WGN Radio, XM Radio Channel 185
Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Angel Guzman (0-0, -.–) vs. Scott Olsen (1-1, 1,50)
Can you say pressure? This afternoon is the much-anticipated debut of Angel Guzman in a Chicago Cubs uniform, the Cubs Faithful have been looking forward to this day for what seems like a long time. Guzman’s progress to the Major Leagues has been slowed over the past few years due to injury and the promise that such a talent, as Angel Guzman, can give the Cubs has added to the pressure on the 24-year old right hander. If it were not for the spring that Sean Marshall had, Guzman probably would have made the club out of Mesa. The injuries to Mark Prior and Kerry Wood have given the Cubs a chance to look at the likes of Marshall and now Guzman to see if they can perform at the Major League level. Marshall has had 4 very good starts…. and is now 2-0 on the season and the Cubs have won every game he has started; now it is time for Angel Guzman to show what he can do.
The offense has yet to have a break out game and the weather on Tuesday night did not help get the bats going. Aramis Ramirez was 0-2 with a walk on Tuesday and his average is now way below the Mendoza Line at .180….Jacque Jones is not too far behind him at an even .200 after an 0-2 night on Tuesday.
Everyday the Cubs are getting contributions from different players. Other than Todd Walker and Ronny Cedeno, the Cubs have not gotten consistent offensive play from anyone else in the everyday lineup. The Cubs are getting clutch hits with runners in scoring position and Dusty’s “Combination Ball” is putting up wins on the Northside of Chicago.
The Cubs are 5 games over .500 and will try to get the sweep this afternoon against the Marlins and have their first 4-game winning streak of the season. Cubs’ teams of the past have had trouble closing out a series like this….get the sweep and don’t let history repeat itself.
Let’s Talk Cubbies Baseball….