Kosuke Fukudome had just lined his fourth hit of the game into right field.
My uncle asked me, "So what do you think of Wood as the closer?"
I responded, "Well, it's hard to say because the last few times they've warmed him up, the team scored a bunch of runs and he couldn't get a save, so I'm not sure. Let's see how he does in a close game."
Low and behold, I got my wish. Wood entered the game with a 3-1 lead and was set to face Craig Counsell, a pinch hitter, and Jason Kendall.
I thought to myself, “Kerry, finish these guys off and let's head to St. Louis on a good note.”
He presumed to hit Craig Counsell on his first pitch. What a start!
Of course, Len and Bob had to mention that in Kerry's first appearance this season against the Brewers he hit Rickie Weeks with the first pitch. The Brewers then went on to score three runs in the inning.
So I kept that in the back of my mind but didn't think much about it. The next batter, Gabe Kapler, lined a double over the head of Alfonso Soriano, putting runners at second and third with nobody out.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Jason Kendall, the former Cub, hit a ball up the middle that was knocked down by Theriot. Counsell scored, cutting the deficit to one, at 3-2. Wood then walked Rickie Weeks, making the bases loaded with no outs. Mike Cameron was then up.
Cameron struck out on a high fastball, and I thought it was an okay double play here, game over. First pitch to Ryan Braun, a devestating slider, 0-1.
Where was this earlier Woody, I said to myself.
The next pitch was lined over Fukudome's head. Kapler scored. Kendall scored, but Weeks was thrown out at the plate.
However the damage was done, the Brewers led 4-3. Fielder then grounded out to second to end the inning. Another blown save for Kerry.
The Cubs entered the bottom of the ninth against Eric Gange, who has struggled to say the least. Ronny Cedeno led off with a walk, and I thought it was an alright but good start.
Come on Soto, two-run homer here, let's end this. Soto struck out looking on a questionable call, one down. The next batter, Felix Pie, grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end it.
Final score: Brewers 4, Cubs 3.
My uncle looked over at me and said, "Why didn't they just leave Marmol in? He struck out four of the five batters he faced. Instead they bring in Wood and he blows it again."
One should know that I was on the Kerry Wood bandwagon in the beginning. I felt that as long as he didn't get hurt, he could close for this team.
The wagon has since crashed and burned, and I hopped on to the Carlos Marmol wagon. Marmol has the best stuff of the guys in the pen and maybe the best stuff on the team.
In 15 games this season, Marmol is 0-0 with a 1.42 ERA. He has pitched 19 innings, giving up only nine hits, three runs, and has struck out 27 batters. He also has two saves.
Give this kid a chance! Wood is a shell of his former self and could become a quality set-up man but not a closer.
Marmol has been the glue that has held the bullpen together and deserves a shot at being the closer. After all, he can't be any worse than Wood.
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8 months ago
The difference is they don't have about 5 years worth of investment (agony) in Marmol like they do Wood.
Apparently they don't understand the phrase"cut your loses"
8 months ago
Agree with you 100%. I said in my article "Lou Piniella Lacks the Balls to Roll to a World Series" that Marmol should close and he'd be the best closer in baseball if and hopefully when they make the switch. I don't know the exact number, but Wood has had around 10 save opportunities and blown 5 of them.
I also think that Pie needs to sit the bench for Reed Johnson to start, and Soriano needs to not be a whiny little bi*** and hit in the 5 spot. Lou needs to make changes now. This is why the Cubs are not a great team. They are 500 against everyone except the Pirates (7-0).
8 months ago
Right, but my memo to you is who will replace what Marmol brings to the table? I agree Wood isn't getting the job done but you can lose a game in the 7th and 8th inning too. And Howry is pitching terrible.
The real fault lies with Jim Hendry.
8 months ago
While I may not understand much of what the Cubs do, I think this whole Marmol situation is almost more puzzling than the Cubs insisting on putting Soriano at or near the top of the order. It's pretty obvious that Marmol should be the closer, and while you lose having a shut-down kinda guy pitching the 8th inning for you, I personally think the Cubs have enough depth to pick up a middle relief guy via a trade (or hell, bring back Cotts). In regards to Soriano, would it kill the Cubs to try having Lee bat second and Soriano bat third? Seriously, they should just try it...
8 months ago
Remember when Mariano Rivera was the set-up man for (gosh I forgot his name). ANyway, it was a joke then because Rivera was getting all of the hard outs. He usually pitched the 7th and 8th innings.
I actually think the most important reliever role in baseball is the set-up man. He gets you out of tight jams in the 7th and 8th innings and sets up the closer to only have to get one inning of work most of the time.
IF you have the bases loaded in the 8th and need to get out of that jam, would you rather have Woods come in as the set-up man to end the jam and then have him set up Marmol for the final inning or would you rather let Marmol come in and try to end the jam and set up Woods for an easy save?
Yeah, I agree, why not let Marmol pitch both innings.
To me a great closer can pitch 2 innings in a tight game. In a huge jam in say the 7th inning, it never made sense to me to not bring in the best pitcher available. A guy like Marmol comes in with the bases loaded and nobody out and nobody scores. He pitches the 8th and then the closer gets the save. That is a joke as the game was for all realistic purposes saved in the 7th.
Having the BEST reliever in a set-up role is optimal in my opinion. An ace closer rarely sees that key jam in the 7th.
It is simple to me actually.
If your starting pitcher tires and you need 3 relief innings, it is not unreasonable to have 3 good relievers all do one inning in a tight game. BUT, when the jam occurs in the 6th or 7th inning with the leading and tying runs in scoring position, then I say bring in your best regardless. Otherwise you may never get to your best.
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