I expect the Cubs to wrap things up today. The Marlins will most likely be demoralized, knowing that they'll have to beat both Mark Prior and Kerry Wood in Chicago to advance. Beckett's curveball was nowhere in game 1, which suggests that he may have some sort of health problem (which we will hear about after Florida is eliminated). After Clement's solid performance in Game 4, Zambrano is the only Cubs starter who hasn't pitched well in the post-season. Today will be the perfect opportunity to regain some confidence. If the Cubs win the series today, they'll be able to set up their World Series rotation in optimal fashion (Prior starting Game 1).
After three innings, with the clarity of hindsight, it's obvious that the Marlins aren't giving up. They didn't when Barry and company tried to bury them, either.
I'm not suggesting the Fish are going to march into Wrigley and clobber Prior and Wood; I'm not even predicting a win today. However, Josh Beckett has been very impressive so far, and Pudge is mixing up his calls well after apparently forgetting about the curve last time.
Good effort by Zambrano for the first couple of innings, but he hasn't been quite as efficient, falling behind a lot of hitters, and he very nearly came unglued in the third, with a walk, a wild pitch, and a hit batter. He's over 60 pitches already, so he may not be around too much longer. On the other hand, it's still scoreless.
I'm not suggesting the Fish are going to march into Wrigley and clobber Prior and Wood; I'm not even predicting a win today. However, Josh Beckett has been very impressive so far, and Pudge is mixing up his calls well after apparently forgetting about the curve last time.
Good effort by Zambrano for the first couple of innings, but he hasn't been quite as efficient, falling behind a lot of hitters, and he very nearly came unglued in the third, with a walk, a wild pitch, and a hit batter. He's over 60 pitches already, so he may not be around too much longer. On the other hand, it's still scoreless.
Pudge has homered off Dave Veres to make it 3-0 Marlins in the bottom of the seventh. In the fifth, a Mike Lowell 2-run shot had opened the scoring. Beckett has struck out nine, allowing only two hits, and has been so efficient (92 pitches, just one walk) he should be back for the eighth, if not the ninth.
I realize I'm "talking" to myself here; Da Box is a quiet place on a holiday weekend, especially at dinner time.
I realize I'm "talking" to myself here; Da Box is a quiet place on a holiday weekend, especially at dinner time.
I have finally managed to get the FAN 590 coming through clearly
in my apartment, and what a relief it is to hear Dan Shulman instead
of the various FOX talking heads. He's more excitable than he was
in his Blue Jay days - I suppose it's more fun to broadcast the NLCS
than to broadcast the Ash-era Jays. He actually describes what is
happening on the field, which is something I'm not used to announcers doing :-).
I guess they're going back to Chicago.
in my apartment, and what a relief it is to hear Dan Shulman instead
of the various FOX talking heads. He's more excitable than he was
in his Blue Jay days - I suppose it's more fun to broadcast the NLCS
than to broadcast the Ash-era Jays. He actually describes what is
happening on the field, which is something I'm not used to announcers doing :-).
I guess they're going back to Chicago.
What I find about Shulman, when I occasionally catch him on the radio or doing an ESPN game, is that he seems more self-confident than he was during his Blue Jay days. Perhaps this ties into the excitability that Dave is noticing.
I always felt that he deferred to much to Buck Martinez, an analyst I know is highly popular in these parts, but one who engaged into a little too much hyperbole for my tastes.
Am I right in believing that the Shulman we all witnessed, back in the day, was the one making the first time transition from the radio booth? Perhaps this helps explain his overly demure nature back then.
I always felt that he deferred to much to Buck Martinez, an analyst I know is highly popular in these parts, but one who engaged into a little too much hyperbole for my tastes.
Am I right in believing that the Shulman we all witnessed, back in the day, was the one making the first time transition from the radio booth? Perhaps this helps explain his overly demure nature back then.
Shulman is better than ever; if talent matters more than seniority, it won't be long before he passes Jon Miller on the ESPN depth chart.
Beckett was magnificent. An 11 K, 2-hit complete-game shutout; a no-hitter into the fifth, and no Cub got as far as second base. He was still hitting 98 in the ninth, and his changeup is breaking like a screwball.
Extending the series was great for the Fish and their fans, but it precludes what Robert mentioned in his intro -- assuming they get there, the Cubs won't be able to use Prior in Game One of the World Series. Jack McKeon refused to speculate on who will start the next game for the Marlins, but I'd lean to Pavano over Penny.
Argh. I added manual word wraps again. Oops.
That's OK, Dave. I liked the poem.
Beckett was magnificent. An 11 K, 2-hit complete-game shutout; a no-hitter into the fifth, and no Cub got as far as second base. He was still hitting 98 in the ninth, and his changeup is breaking like a screwball.
Extending the series was great for the Fish and their fans, but it precludes what Robert mentioned in his intro -- assuming they get there, the Cubs won't be able to use Prior in Game One of the World Series. Jack McKeon refused to speculate on who will start the next game for the Marlins, but I'd lean to Pavano over Penny.
Argh. I added manual word wraps again. Oops.
That's OK, Dave. I liked the poem.
If there's one thing I'm a bit disappointed about with Schulman is that he seems to buy into the myth that Oakland conducts their drafts and trades purely through spreadsheets. I was surprised to hear that from a guy who usually does his homework.
Though to an extent, I think it's true that Oakland places a bit more value on stats than the Jays do in the draft. Somehow I don't see JP and the TO scouting staff deciding to select a guy like Jeremy Brown in the first round. Heck, they didn't even select Jamie Vermilyea until the 9th round despite a glowing scouting report.
Though to an extent, I think it's true that Oakland places a bit more value on stats than the Jays do in the draft. Somehow I don't see JP and the TO scouting staff deciding to select a guy like Jeremy Brown in the first round. Heck, they didn't even select Jamie Vermilyea until the 9th round despite a glowing scouting report.