The Cubs travel to Pennsylvania all week -- Pittsburgh, then Philadelphia, for three-game series vs. each team. Today is the Pirates' home opener, so expect a full house. They'll have nice weather this afternoon, too (sunny and 64).
The only real information of note this morning is that if the Cubs get into a 9th-inning save situation today, it'll be Carlos Marmol instead of Kerry Wood. No, nothing's wrong with Kerry:
"We're just trying to be a little prudent," [Lou] Piniella said.A blowout win would solve this problem, right? The Cubs' three wins have been by three runs, two runs, and one run, respectively.
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Ted Lilly was 1-0, 3.20 in three starts vs. the Pirates last year; in 19.2 IP he struck out 15, walked only three, and allowed only one HR (to Ronny Paulino in a game the Cubs won anyway).
Derrek Lee, who's hot right now, is 5-for-9 lifetime vs. Oak Lawn native Tom Gorzelanny (2 doubles and a HR). Otherwise Gorzelanny can be tough on the Cubs: 2-2, 2.60 in four lifetime starts. Expect Reed Johnson to start again in CF today, and here's a hint for Lou: start Ronny Cedeno at SS in place of the slumping Ryan Theriot. Cedeno is 4-for-7 in his career vs. Gorzelanny (one double).
I'm going to add this link to each day's game thread: the baseball-reference.com game preview, which has team and pitcher records and splits in one easy-to-read page.
TV today: WGN and FSN Pittsburgh; local radio, XM 183, and the MLB.com Mediacenter.
MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)
MLB.com Gameday (2008 version)
Discuss amongst yourselves.