At least it’s starting to feel that way.
I know it’s only spring training and were only four games in, but Cub fans can’t help but notice that same old feeling that ended abruptly in three nights last October–knowing your team is going to win.
It’s an odd feeling, to be a Cub fan and not peek with one eye as you open the paper/web page(assuming you couldn’t catch the game–f*&cking job) only to find out that the team lost a five run lead in the ninth after going scoreless in the first six innings against a Wandy Rodriguez or a Dave Bush( yea…Dave Bush…Fuck that guy)
It’s even sweeter to know your team dropped a thirteen run bomb on their Crosstown pseudo-rivals
The Cubs dropped the Sox this afternoon at Ho Ho Kam by a score of thirteen to nothing.
Thats zero runs scored by the Sox.
And zero runs given up by Aaron Heilman, who took the mound in the first two innings of today’s game. Heilman gave up one hit( to guess who…) Yea, that’s still a goodie. Heilman struck our four of seven batters and walked none, making Pinella and pitching coach Larry Rothschild’s job that much harder when choosing who is going to fill the vacant five slot. Heilman should get a few more starts this spring to prove his worthiness, but if he falters I expect his innings to shorten up as he prepares for an eventual role in the pen. Nothing too ground-breaking
Until Now
ALSO PITCHED:
KEVIN GREGG! –There you are Mr. Gregg. And all one hit and no runs with a K. Oh you…
Neal Cotts — Umm, thanks for coming. Cotts pitched one inning giving up a hit and no runs with a walk. Well played, Mr. Cotts, well played–but I’ve still got my eye on you.
David Patton –Rule-fiver from Cincinnati saw his first action today, pitching two scoreless innings with no walks and two k’s. How does it feel to cost about as much as Soriano’s left index finger?
Ken Kadokura –Second time on the mound for the Japanese league veteran this spring. Pitched an inning of no hit ball with a hit a walk and a K. Was seen wearing a Fukudome style kamikaze headband with it’s own Japanese caricature writing. When translated it read “F*&CK KOSUKE!”
Jason Waddell — Gee, it’s been so nice getting to know you this spring Mr. Waddell. You and your no hits, no runs and no walks in one. Don’t be a stranger!(even though you most likely will be in a week.)
Esmailin Caridad –Pitched a perfect ninth giving up a hit with a K. Esmailin pitched a perfect ninth with pride and pomposity which people may never purvey as…oh fuck it.
Astonishingly enough, most of the Cub pitchers–be they veteran, rookie, or non-roster invitee–have pitched extremely well. This bodes well for a team that some consider to have an already incredibly strong rotation and back end of the pen. keep your eye on Jason Waddell(Someone else told me to–so now I’m telling you to) as spring progresses as he might be a surprise guy who breaks camp in the pen.
But as solid as the pitching has been, the bats may be the real surprise of early spring training, in which many consider the hitters to be about a week behind pitches in their progress.
AT THE PLATE
Brad Snyder – yet another Minor League outfielder, Snyder played the entire game in right and went two for five with a grand slam in the seventh. He put on a good show today, but with all the outfield depth the Cubs seem to be suddenly sporting, Snyder might be better off looking for another team.
Doug Deeds –didn’t I just get done chastising Bradley about this? The minor league outfielder subbed for Soriano in left and went one for two with a run. Yipee!
Aaron Miles –not Mark Derosa started the game at short today and went one for two. Was eventually lifted for:
Andres Blanco –who was actually sent in to remind Miles that he wasn’t Derosa and ended up staying in and going one for two with a run scored and two rbi’s. Not bad for a guy from the island of you know where.
Derrek Lee – Lee went one for three today to bring his spring average up to a robust .250. No double play jokes. Not today.
Micah Hoffpauir — he went two for four today with another rbi to make it eight on the young spring. Apparently he is so impressed with his own play that he’s been seen writing his name on all of D-Lee’s underwear.
Mike Fontenot — went one for two with a walk and a strikeout. Was overheard in the fourth inning telling Miles “It’s Ok, Im not Derosa either.”
Bobby Scales –Scales replaced Fontenot in the game and is apparently busy “Keeping up with the Rivas’s” –he went two for three with three rbi’s. Hmm, maybe it’s time to start thinking about some elective surgery.
Koyie Hill — Koyie went one for three with a two rbi double. Only gives the finger now to the cross-eyed.
Sam Fuld — Aww F*&Ck Fuld. Why’d you have to go do something like go two for two and f-up the kool-aid. Fuck.
And just like that the Cubs keep on rolling. Are we seeing the Pinella presence here? Or is the team finally being constructed intelligently with good scouting, coaching, and plate patience. If you’re a fan you have to like what you’re seeing so far, with a pitching staff giving up less walks than k’s and the inverse from Cubs batters at the plate( I don’t know if that statistic is actually true.) Heilman showed today that he really wants that fifth starter spot, but as long as Marshall keeps pitching well along with some of the other guys in camp we might be in for an exciting season.
IF BY SOME CHANCE I happen to have Jinxed the team and they end up breaking off a string of 170+ consecutive losses remember this:
__________________
I’ve got nothin.
Cubs travel to Peoria to take on the Padres and guess who ...
That’s right– Mr. Not Brian Roberts.
First pitch is at 2:05
The Sox did a whole lot of this .
Yea, I’m all like WTF! too, but still…
