And just like that, the 2009 Cubs season is underway. Chicago started off the year with a bang, winning two of three games over the Houston Astros, and then two more against Milwaukee in Miller Park. With two series wins to start the season, Triple Play opens the year by looking back at the first six games:

1. Top of the Line(up)

Alfonso Soriano got the Cubs off on the right foot last Monday by launching the second pitch he saw into the Crawford Boxes of left field. There was a large amount of banter early in spring training about Soriano’s place in the lineup, and after much deliberation (or what seemed like it anyway), Lou Piniella decided to leave him at the top. In the following four games, Soriano had eight hits in 28 at-bats, with four home runs. It’s hard to argue with Piniella’s decision after seeing Sori’s opening week performance.

Not only has he hit four out of the park, all four have been of significance. Two homers have been to leadoff the game, another one tied a game against the Astros, and a fourth (third of the season) proved to be the game-winner over Milwaukee. Critics will say that with that kind of power, he should bat further down in the order to drive in more runs, but the fact of the matter is that after the first at-bat, he really isn’t the “leadoff” hitter anymore, what with other batters being able to get on before him in later innings. Plus, how can you really have a tiff with a 1-0 lead to start the game.

2. For Starters

Opening week was a chance to make a statement for Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, and Rich Harden. Zambrano has been the victim of criticism for some time, with many questioning if he has fallen off. Big Z showed up any naysayer on Opening Day, throwing six strong innings, fanning six and allowing only one run. If that wasn’t enough, Zambrano came back on Saturday and threw for another quality start, again going six innings, this time allowing three runs.

Dempster followed Zambrano’s lead, pitching six with two earned runs in his first start. Many have been skeptical of whether Dempster can have a repeat performance of 2008, saying last season was just a fluke. For him to come out and play the way he did to open his season is huge as it can set the tone for 2009.

Rich Harden has always come with the tag of “Handle With Care” and this spring was no exception. He battled the flu, shoulder issues, and decreasing velocity while in Mesa, Arizona. Like the starters who preceded him, Harden silenced his doubters in his first start. Allowing only three hits and one run over six innings, he struck out ten while baffling hitters with his fastball/changeup combination. The most telling part of these numbers is that Harden showed no signs of injury and looks 100% healthy opening the year.

3. Closer Controversy?

If there is one thing that is evident after one week of baseball it is this: Carlos Marmol is filthy, and Kevin Gregg is not. Gregg has allowed at least one run in all four of his appearances to date, with already one blown save. In Sunday night’s rubber match against Milwaukee he recorded the save, but not before making it interesting. It took a Rickie Weeks home run, Craig Counsell double, and a free pass to Ryan Braun for Gregg to realize he should probably do something quick before Prince Fielder ties the game with a home run.

Meanwhile, Carlos Marmol made hitters look foolish throughout the week, getting them to bite on his slider breaking off the plate nearly every time he threw it. In 4 2/3 innings thus far, Marmol has two holds, a save, and zero earned runs. It was a questionable call from the start to name Kevin Gregg the closer, and it’s looking more and more like the wrong decision. From the first week’s performance it is clear that he does not have the lights out stuff that is demanded from the closer’s role. Will Lou Piniella promote Marmol sooner rather than later? If week one is any indication as to how this season will play out, it better be sooner.

Record through 4/12: 4-2

Closing Quote: "I just tried to put the ball in play, just swing at strikes. When I swing at strikes, I hit the ball very hard." –Cubs LF Alfonso Soriano on Sunday night’s performance.

*Triple Play will be running on a weekly basis through the month of April. It will return to it's standard series-by-series format beginning with the May 1st-3rd series against the Florida Marlins.

Johnson's grand denial 04.12.09: Reed Johnson makes an amazing leaping catch at the wall in right, robbing Prince Fielder of a grand slam in the fifth inning

TrackBack URI for this entry

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment