Cubs box score for 3-10-07 and cubs notes...

Here is the link to the box score to the Cubs vs Royals game-

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2007_03_10_chnmlb_kcamlb_1

Prior got roughed up again. It has only been two starts but no progress is being made. He pitched 2 innings, gave up 4 runs and 3 walks. His velocity is still down which is not good news. Sweet Lou is not impressed and sounds like he is getting very frustrated. Here is the quote from cubs.com-

"He couldn't get his breaking ball over at all, and he's pitching with one pitch and he's not locating that pitch, so it's not really a recipe for success right now."

It really sounds like Lou is disappointed with his outings thus far. I think he just wanted to see a little improvement but he hasn't seen any. I'm upset at this outing as well( like most cubs fans), he should be making some improvement and he is not. Is there something Prior is not telling us? Cuz I know Lou wouldn't keep things from us fans, Lou is a straight shooter.

Lilly is the exact opposite than Prior, looking very impressive on the mound. He looks the #2 starter he is slated to be! He pitched 3 innings, allowed 3 hits, one run and had 2 strikeouts. Not to mention his Era is at a great at 1.80! Maybe Prior should get some advice from Lilly!?!

Prior better get his act together because he has good competition with Cotts and Miller. Not to mention the the dark horse and the surprise of Spring Angel Guzman. Guzman is looking impressive, he has a 2.84 era, fastball around 95 with movement, today he allowed 1 run on 5 hits over 3 innings. He has looked solid and is turning heads.. Watch out for him if he continue to pitch the way he is.

Here is the link to all the cubs ST stats if your interested-

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/stats/sortable_player_stats.jsp?c_id=chc

Last Thought- If Prior show no improvement in his next outing, expect him to do one of two things. 1. Go on the DL or 2. Start the season in AAA Iowa. Having said that, Miller, Guzman, and Cotts would battle for the last spot in the cubs rotation. Cotts would likely go to the pen as a long reliever so in all actuality it would be Miller and Guzzy battling for the 5 spot! That's just my thought.

Cubs box score for 3-9-07

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070309&content_id=1835268&vkey=spt2007gamer&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2007_03_09_chnmlb_texmlb_1

Cubs win! Ward Homer. Pie looked good!

Here is the link to the cubs and Pads boxscore for March 8th 2007-

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070308&content_id=1834092&vkey=spt2007gamer&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

Miller article, doesnt make 5th spot, he is out?

Check the article out-

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-070307cubs,1,2743476.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines

this quote tells me he might be traded before the end of Spring if Cotts or Prior get the job.

"My fastball is coming around," Miller said. "I threw a bullpen [session] a couple of days ago, and I feel great right now."If Miller doesn't earn the fifth spot, he said, "I'll have to explore my options." Going to the bullpen isn't among them, and Hendry likely would accommodate Miller if he asks for a trade."Until that time comes, I'm a Cub," Miller said.


I think Prior will get one of the spots in the rotation and Cotts will be the long reliever in the pen. This leaving Miller either released or traded before the end of ST. Lou said he may carry 11 pitchers instead of 12 which cuts down a reliever and puts more pressure on the pitchers trying to make the ball club. It also opens up a position for a position player like Perez, Cedeno, Moore, or Kincade. If he is carrying just 11 pitchers then you have Wood, Cotts, Dempster, Eyre, Ohman, and Howry in the pen and your starting 5 being Z, Lilly, Marquis, Hill, and Prior or Miller. Miller is the odd man out, Prior who has tremendous upside and I think will just get better as ST goes on. Miller who is a #3 starter if he is healthy has a great upside also but his velocity is down like Prior but unlike Prior, I personally think it wont come back. There is still alot of Spring Training left so we will have to see how things develop!

Cubs box score for 3-7-07

Here is the link to the box score for Weds game-

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070307&content_id=1832773&vkey=spt2007gamer&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

Soriano hit his first homer in a Cubs uniform.

Z didn't fare well today, but no pitchers did.

Jones went 3 for 3 with 3 rbi.

Hey the Cubs won, now if we can just put power hitting with dominate pitching we will be set!

Theriot makes team, who is left out??? Lilly named April 4th starter.

Piniella announced Tuesday that Ted Lilly will start the second game of the season April 4th against Cincinatti and said "Ryan Theriot will be our primary extra infielder."This leaves one positional spot left on the team, the Tribune suspects Angel Pagan to have the inside track.

If Pagan gets that job then where does that leave the rest of the team? who will be on the 25 man roster on opening day? Since the cubs are planning to carry 5 starters and 7 relievers(12 pitchers) that leaves 13 position players to fill the rest of the roster. So lets check this out-

1. Soriano CF
2. Murton LF
3. Lee 1st
4. Aram 3b
5. Jones RF
6. Barrett C
7. Derosa 2b
8. Izzy SS

Bench-
9. Floyd OF
10. Theriot UTL
11. Ward 1b/OF
12. Blanco C
13. Pagan OF

14. Zambrano
15. Lilly
16. Marquis
17. Hill
18. Prior or Miller or Cotts

19. Dempster
20. Eyre
21. Howry
22. Weurtz
23. Wood
24. Ohman
25. This spot is up for grabs. You have a 2 spots and 3 players fighting for it. One man will be sent to AAA, traded or put on the DL. The only way that all of them make it is if Ohman or Weurtz are sent down or traded. The odd man out in my opinion is Miller. He has done OK in spring, his velocity is down and unlike Prior is only owed 1.5 million this year. You could say the same about Mark but he is making more money and I think he will prove himself in ST and actually take the #3 spot in the rotation and Marquis take the 5th spot. By doing this Cotts goes to the pen and is the long reliever and spot starter on the team. Miller I feel will be traded or let go. I would hate to let him go but for once we have a problem with to many pitchers that could be in the rotation. Its only 6 games into ST so alot of things could still happen from now til then. At least we have the problem with to many pitcher, unlike last year when we didn't have enough!

Cotts could be 5th starter, Z talks resume, etc

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/285953,CST-SPT-cubnt07.article

Thanks to the suntimes for this info-

The cubs have 3 serious contenders for the 5th spot in the rotation. Cotts, Prior, and Miller who will pitch on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday as the competition will start to heat up. There is no definite 5th starter Lou said, he likes how Neal has pitched, and could see 3 leftys in the rotation if it should come down to that.

My bet is on Prior tho. It was his first start in Spring in forever and I think he will look alot better in his next outing. He is my 3rd starter and Marquis moves to the 5th spot.

Another note is that talks have resumed between the Cubs and Carlos on an extension. This coming days after he guaranteed a the cubs winning the WS and him winning the Cy Young award. It is likely to be a 5 year deal with the price being around 16-19 mill a season.

Theriot will likely see more time at short, 3b, and outfield because he will more than likely have the utility roll this year, which is a great move on Lou's part!

Cliff Floyd is expected to see his first action on Saturday. Floyd, who is coming off a foot injury, wants to start on Friday but said Saturday will work.


Wood will pitch in relief in another game on Thursday.

Cubs news, notes, and box scores

Sorry guys I have been gone for a couple of days. I have an 8 week old mini doxie that I picked up on Saturday. Anyways here is the cubs box score from yesterday and today.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore;_ylt=AsR21j0jGe2Rug9pc8i0JzwRvLYF?gid=270305112

Prior did not well in his first start in Cactus League play. As you can see, but he isn't concern because its his first start in a long time. Wood on the other hand dominated! Its just great for the cubs to get there first win in league play!

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070306&content_id=1830802&vkey=spt2007gamer&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

Marquis pitched great in today's game! 3 IP, 2H, 1BB, and 2 SO.. that's a solid game and your not supposed to look into it so much but I really liked what I seen. The cubs are doing well with the bats. Dlee got his first homer Sunday against the Sox and Soriano went 3 for 3! Lee continued his hot streak today with 2 for 4 with a run. Hoffpauir had the big blow in the ninth with a walk off Homer to edge the Brewers 3 to 2. Just all around a good game for the Cubbies.

Other news-
1. Wood and Prior felt no pain after there first Spring debut.