Jason Marquis

los Zambrano (13-5, 3.53 ERA), Ryan Dempster (15-5, 2.95), Rich Harden (9-2), and Ted Lilly (13-8). Jason Marquis has been adequate throughout the year, and Sean Marshall has given them some solid starts, either of which could give them quality innings early if needed in the playoffs (assuming the Cubs don't choke!). The bullpen is solid with righty fireballers Carlos Marmol, Jaff Samardzija, Chad Gaudin, and Bob Howry, as well as lefty Neal Cotts, and Kerry Wood nailing down games as a closer (28 saves in 33 chances). His stuff is still sick. Truth be told, Howry, Cotts, and Gaudin have had their share of struggles lately, but they have been good enough, and more help in this department could be on its way if Michael Wuertz, Jon Lieber, Kevin Hart, or Angel Guzman got in a groove as a late season call-up. 

Continue reading "Why the Cubs WILL Win the World Series ..."

Ted Lilly has been bad in more starts than he has been good, and Jason Marquis has been bad too (isn't he supposed to be good in the first half of the season?). Sean Gallagher has done pretty decent for stepping up from AAA. I don't know what the hell happened to Rich Hill but whatever it is, I don't like it. I would like to see Lilly step up, I just can't see Dempster finishing the season 20-4. Carlos Marmol has been incredible, but unfortunately I can't say the same about anyone else in middle relief. Howry is starting to look better, and if Neal Cotts can be of any use to this team at all, it would be a super bonus, because I pretty much forgot about his existence on this planet (and he was the setup man of the year in '05 with the Sox). I just don't want Lou to have to put Marmol in every single time they need some clutch outs and burn out his arm before the second half of the season.

Continue reading "Cubs Tearing Up the National League"

     It is late August, after eight scoreless innings from Jason Marquis against the Philadelphia Phillies in what many consider to be playoff preview. Manager Lou Piniella makes the call to the bullpen and out comes Kerry Wood in a one run game. After twelve electric pitches with the Wrigley Field faithfull roaring, Kid K pumps his fist in celebration after securing the win.

Continue reading "The Scene is Set"

sp;   On a side note, Piniella apoligized for his comments which were prompted because of Jason Marquis's demand for a trade if he was not in the starting rotation to open the season.

Continue reading "Piniella,"This is my last job.....""

  Chicago Cubs pitcher Jason Marquis is competing for the final two spots in the starting rotation.  If he does not make the rotation, he would probably end up in bullpen.  In his first start during spring training he went 2 innings, gave up 2 runs, both earned, along with 3 hits.  However, it wasn't his arm that hurt his chances of winning a spot in the rotation.  Rather it was his mouth. 

Continue reading "To Start or To Not to Start: Marquis Sounds off"

As the Cubs open up their first spring training game on Thursday against the San Francisco Giants, there are three stories we should look at while this game is going on.  These will also be the stories throughout spring training.

Continue reading "What to Watch For"

hype by batting .320, hitting 23 homer runs, and driving in 90. 

(4)  Ryan Dempster or Jason Marquis will be traded

  One of them has to go.  Who will it be?  That is hard to say.  After Marquis had a brilliant first half last season, he stumbled in the second half and he is now fighting for his job to stay in the rotation.  After Dempster had an inconsistent year as the Cubs closer, he was bumped from his old job and his now trying to win a spot in the rotation also.  There are two opening spots open, but it will not go to both of them.  The Cubs signed Jon Lieber to a one year deal and it was not just for him to work out in spring training.  Jon Lieber will be in the rotation no matter what.  He does not need to worry about Marquis or Dempster.  Whoever does not get the final spot in the rotation, will be traded.  They will not go to the bullpen because they are not needed there.  I see Dempster winning the spot because Lou would not have forced Dempster to switch if he was not guaranteed a spot in the rotation.

Continue reading "Carlos Zambrano Injured!!!"