Game Forty-Five: Cubs (18-26) vs. Marlins (12-31)
Game Time – 6:05pm C.T. Comcast SportsNet, WGN Radio XM Radio Channel 183
Location – Dolphins Stadium, Miami
Kerry Wood (0-1, 7.20) vs. Scott Olsen (2-3, 6.55)
The Cubs need to forget the awful performance on Monday night and start playing baseball again. The White Sox hangover cost the Cubs a huge loss against an inexperienced team. The Cubs are now 2-2 on the season against the worst team in the National League, at least record wise, and are now in danger of digging themselves an insurmountable hole before Memorial Day. The bats are starting to come around and if they could actually put together a solid pitching performance with a solid performance by the offense, they might actually string together some wins. Kerry Wood is scheduled to make his 2nd start of the season and although he took the loss last week against the Nationals, there were positives from that game….the 6 strikeouts and no walks, how many other of the starting pitchers can claim that stat this season?
Juan Pierre has now hit safely in 6 of his last 7, Aramis Ramirez has hit 3 home runs in two games, Jacque Jones has had multi hit games in two straight and these are all good signs of the offense turning around. The supporting cast of John Mabry (.186), Neifi Perez (.192), Freddy Bynum (.229) and Henry Blanco (.051) have to start doing their job when they are called upon to do so and against the lefty Olsen, Perez should get the start at second base….it is time for Neifi to step up.
The Cubs are facing lefty Scott Olsen and he received a no-decision on April 26th in Chicago against the Cubs….Ricky Nolasco actually picked up that victory in relief. Olsen has not been consistent this season and gave up 8 runs on 8 hits in 4 2/3 innings of work against the Braves on May 18th. In 34 1/3 innings of work this season Olsen has allowed 23 walks. given up 35 hits and has only pitched past the 6th inning once in his last 4 starts. Olsen will beat himself, the Cubs have to give him a chance to do so.
The Cubs need a quality start and a win from Kerry Wood, let’s not expect dominance….let’s expect a win and that’s all that matters!!!
Let’s Talk Cubbies Baseball….