There isn't a whole lot to say about this team that hasn't been said over the last eight games, most of which look depressingly similar.
The Cubs still rank tied for second in the NL with 21 quality starts. Yes, I am aware that a QS can be as bad as a 4.50 ERA, but a pitcher still has to meet this standard or he doesn't get one. The Pirates, who currently stand ahead of the Cubs, have only 12; the Phillies, who are tied with the Padres for the best record in the NL, have only 13. The Cubs also are currently underperforming their Pythagorean W-L projection by two games -- they "should" be 16-18, still bad. A lot of the problem is the record in one-run games, currently 3-7. That's caused by two things: bad bullpen work and failure to hit in clutch situations, like last night's eighth inning.
Really, I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. There's rain headed this way later this afternoon. The way this team is playing, earlier might be better (there is, incidentally, no chance of a makeup date tomorrow -- the Marlins do not have Thursday off).
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Chris Volstad has made five career starts vs. the Cubs. Despite giving up no more than two runs in any of them, he has five no-decisions to show for those starts. Aramis Ramirez is 4-for-8 lifetime with a HR off Volstad, but it doesn't seem to matter lately what A-Ram has done against any pitcher in the past. Mike Fontenot has also homered off Volstad -- maybe he ought to start today.
Carlos Silva had two starts vs. the Marlins in interleague play, one with the Twins in 2007, the other with the Mariners in 2008. He posted a 3.09 ERA in those starts with one walk in 11.1 innings. Current Marlins are hitting 3-for-21 off Silva. It's supposed to be another coolish day with the wind blowing off the lake. Keep the ball down, Carlos, and you should have a good afternoon.Today's game is on WGN and FSN Florida. Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
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Tonight's first pitch thread will be up at 1:15 pm CDT, and the overflows will post at 2:15, 3:15 and 4 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.