I Like What I See

June 24th, 2007

Monday; Cubs; CSN Chicago; 8:05 PM ET;

Jason Marquis, 5-4, 3.38 ERA, vs. Jeff Francis, 7-5, 3.44 ERA

Well, today the Cubs completed a 3 game sweep of the White Sox, where in we declared to the nation that we were the better team from Chicago. Anyways, I saw a lot of good baseball today. For example:

1. Shutout
2. Best Defensive game for the Cubs all year
3. Soriano homered-again-for the third night in a row
4. We got the consisten Sean Marshall
5. Good relief pitching

Now, with that being said, I also was troubled by a couple things. Well, actually, just one thing made me scratch my head. Sean Marshall left after 6.1 innings, even though he was in the 7th inning and retired the first man. I know it's only fair to Marmol, who had been warming up since the 6th inning, but, c'mon, Sean was throwing a gem. Not like he was throwing a 1 hitter or anything, and he wasn't striking a lot of guys out*, but he walked only 1 and gave up only 5 hits.

I don't remember who was up at the time of the switch. Perhaps it was to get an advantage on a right-handed hitter. After all, Marmol is a great reliever**, well this year anyways***. So, back to the main idea, here. I liked what I saw today, and if the Cubs keep playing this well, and actually win 7 or 8 in a row, like all winning teams do****, the division could be led by the Cubs by the all-star break*^.

*- Sean struck out 4

**- His ERA in '07 is o.93

***- Well, remember '06? His ERA was 6+

****- Not a winning team, not just yet (35-39)

*^- Knock on wood

Thanks,

Ryan