Game Sixty-Seven: Cubs (26-40) vs. Tigers (44-24)
Game Time – 3:05pm C.T. Comcast SportsNet, WGN Radio, XM Radio Channel 180
Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Carlos Marmol (1-0, 0.90) vs. Justin Verlander (7-4, 3.32)
Updated – 2:26pm C.T. – Prior to Start on Sunday against Tigers
The Cubs turn to rookie Carlos Marmol to end their 4-game losing streak today against the best team in baseball, the Detroit Tigers. The Cubs played better after Rusch left Friday’s game in the 2nd inning when another rookie, Angel Guzman, pitched very good in relief. Guzman held the Tigers to just 1 run in 5 1/3 innings of work and the Cubs will need that kind of performance from Marmol today to give the Cubs a chance to win the game. The Tigers have supported Justin Verlander all season to the tune of 6.54 runs per game, if Marmol allows that kind of production it will be a long afternoon at Wrigley. Carlos Marmol has been very good in his three outings this season, winning his first career start last Sunday against the Reds. The starting pitching for the Cubs this season has been one of the huge disappointments for the team. Zambrano, Maddux and Marshall have all pitched well at times but consistency has not been their strong suit. With the futures of Mark Prior and Kerry Wood in question another young arm, like Sean Marshall, would be a great find for an organization that is facing tremendous change.
Where will the Cubs’ offense come from? With Michael Barrett sidelined, Juan Pierre and Aramis Ramirez having sub-par seasons and Matt Murton now in a platooning role with, of all people, Freddie Bynum, the Cubs have little if no power without Phil Nevin in the lineup. The other teams is the league appear to not falter the way the Cubs have when faced with injuries, other players “step-up” and lead their team….too bad no one on the Cubs could have done that. Will anyone lead this team to victory today?
The Cubs are dangerously close to having the worse record in the National League. They have has many wins as the Pirates and with the current 6-game winning streak of the Florida Marlins (they have also won 16 out of their last 20), the Marlins have 1 more win than the Cubs.
Let’s Talk Cubbies Baseball….
Update – According to a report from the AP, Mark Prior will start on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers.