Cubs 5-3 (3rd, -1.5, take series
Pirates 3-5 (5th, -3.5)
POTG: SP Ryan Dempster (7 IP, H, 2 BB, 0 R, 5 K, QS [2])
Runner Up: 3B A Ram (3H, HR, 2B, 2R, 2RBI), LF Soriano (2 H, 2 BB), CF Reed Johnson (2 H, RBI, HBP), CF Felix Pie (H, 2 RBI), C Soto (2 BB, H), RP Howry (IP, H, 0 R), RP Wuertz (2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, BB, 2 K), RP Sean Marthall (IP, H, 0 R)
This can't be easy, can it? I mean, given enough chances, the Cubs win in the end but not without making it really iffy.
The good thing is Dempster is still pitching unreally great, Felix pie might have gotten himself unburied a little bit, and the 18 Man Pitching Staff is going to working as ever. The cycling of players up and down from AAA has already started with new relief ace Marshall and I wouldn't be too surprised if the same deal happened with Kevin Hart today. It's not because of his performance (though it's all up and down) but because the priority is fresh arms rather than young development in the bullpen.
I was not a fan of using Marmol in this game. They're in danger of over using him already, and he wasn't so much in control. It was his first outing of the year without a swinging strike. The problem is Marmol and Wood are the only two relievers Pinella trusts at the moment. Maybe Howry and Wuertz pitched themselves into a bigger role.
It's be nice to have a nice easy game, but seeing as no one seemed quite sure who'd start this game last night, I can't have too much hope. This would be a pretty crushing homestand for the Pirates if they lose today.
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