Cubs sweep Astros in short series
Slowly but surely people are coming off the ledge in Cubs Nation. Winning three of four from Florida and then playing well against the Giants, almost beating Cy Young winner Tim Lincecome with 6 starters getting the day off….and now sweeping the Astros at Minute Made Park in a short two game series.
Ted Lilly pitched 6 strong innings only giving up two runs on four hits and was helped along by Alfonsio Soriano’s two home runs to complete the sweep 8-5. Only rough spot to talk about would be the middle relief again. Looks like right now Aaron Heilman is calming down and understanding his role..his last two starts have produced 2 innings pitched and no hits, 5 strikeouts. Marmol and Gregg are solid, but after that it is a crap shoot. David Patton has been erratic, and last night Chad Fox in his first relief appearance after being called up gave up three runs and two hits in 1/3 of an inning.
Up ahead we have a weekend set up at Wrigley North with the Milwaukee Brewers. Tonight Randy Wells gets the nod for the Cubs subbing for the injured Carlos Zambrano against Dave Bush. Bush is 1-7 against the Cubs but has pitched well the last few starts. Saturday Ryan Dempster goes against Brewers ace Yovani Gallardo, and the series finale, tough luck starter Sean Marshall vs Jeff Suppan. Honestly the starters really haven’t been an issue for either one of these teams in the early matchups….it’ll come down to the bullpen I’m sure again. Three fantastic games back in April with the Cubs taking two of three, and we hope for just the same if not more this weekend.
