Open Thread: Cubs vs. Marlins, Tuesday 5/29, 7:05 CT

Comedy Central performances since games of May 9:

Man, that's pathetic.

If the Cubs had even gone 9-9 over the last eighteen games (that would have meant winning, at the very least, these three games, all games that should have been in the bag, they'd be only two games out of first place right now.

Time to start making up ground against these other five losers. NOW.

Today's Starting Pitchers

J. Marquis Cubs vs. D. Willis Marlins 5-1 W-L 6-3 2.60 ERA 4.80 34 SO 52 20 BB 30 4 HR 9 vs. Fla -- vs. Cubs

Jason Marquis will be trying for the fourth time to win his sixth in a row; he's got three no-decisions since his shutout of the Pirates on May 9. His 2.60 ERA ranks sixth in the National League.

Dontrelle Willis -- who is in his fifth full major league season at age 25 -- is an enigma. Is he still the guy who won 22 games and finished 2nd in Cy Young voting in 2005? Or is he the guy who, despite having won six games already this year, has the highest ERA (4.80) and WHIP (1.54) of his career?

If the Cubs are to get that "offensive juggernaut" rolling tonight, this is the guy to hit. Look at some of these career numbers vs. Willis: .357/.438/.500 (Michael Barrett); .538/.600/.846 (Alfonso Soriano); .667/.700/.889 (Cesar Izturis; no, that's not a misprint -- Izturis really is 6-for-9 lifetime vs. Willis); .429/.429/.857 (Mark DeRosa); 1.000/1.000/1.250 (Matt Murton, 4-for-4, a double, two RBI and a walk). Hell, activate Wade Miller to pinch-hit; he's 3-for-5 in his career batting against Willis. On the other hand, Willis is 2-1, 1.60 lifetime at Wrigley Field in five starts. So who knows?

It's an all-cable extravaganza tonight, on CSN and Sun Sports Florida; check the Mediacenter for more info.

MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)

MLB.com Gameday (2006 version)

Discuss amongst yourselves.