Wednesday Another Gut Check for Cubs

Bullpen Brian

Jun 2, 2009

Wednesday’s game has fast become the most important of the season–you don’t want a loss like this one to linger.

Everything went so well for the first eight innings. Soriano and Lee homered. Randy Wells was unhittable, and a sizable lead was handed over to Marmol and Gregg.

This is how the Cubs are supposed to look!

But when it all goes for not, it’s a huge punch to the gut. And, had I been watching the game in the Cubs’ dugout I would have taken my own hacks at the Gatorade machine.

Marmol’s tendency to work himself into a jam finally came back to bite him. Not surprising at all.

I can’t blame Gregg for blowing the save when Soto failed to block a third strike in the dirt. You give a team enough extra outs and they’re bound to make you pay for them.

You can’t ask more of Wells. The guy has been absolutely terrific through five starts.

He goes no-hitter through 6.2 innings, drives in a run, and the Cubs still can’t give him his first major league win. It’s anything but fair.

When Harden comes off the DL you move Marshall to the pen and make room for Wells in the rotation. He’s earned the opportunity to start every five days.

Milton Bradley was just starting to hit before his newest injury–a strained calf muscle. In the last month he’s raised his average nearly 100 points. He batted .400 on the recent home stand and also started providing Lee some needed protection in the lineup.

Now he’s out–again–and possibly headed to the DL. If that’s the case, I’d go with the hot-hitting Reed Johnson as his everyday replacement.

Reed has a six game hitting streak. He’s also driven in 14 RBI in his last 14 games, and defensively he’s an upgrade over Bradley as well.

Soto has been coming around at the plate too, but not fast enough. His .278 average during May was a positive, but he’s still not hitting his own weight and the power stroke from a year ago is MIA.

I’m beginning to worry something is still wrong with him physically–maybe his right shoulder is bothering him again? Either way, why not try Koyie Hill’s hand for a few games in a row?

Too bad Bobby Scales couldn’t come up with a decent sac bunt in front of his hometown fans. I think we’ve all imagined ourselves in such a situation, but without popping out to the pitcher!

Wednesday’s game is a real gut check for the Cubs. Thank goodness Lilly is on the mound.