Even though the Cubs lost yesterday they are still on a 10-2 run of late. I have to give credit to the Nats Matt Chico for pitching a great game. He made the Cubs look like a team that really didn’t want to be playing in the morning. That was the strangest start time I’ve seen for a major league team during the week. Dmitri Young and Ryan Zimmerman also had great games completely taking the wind out of the Cubs sails. For the 3rd time in his last 4 starts Hill was really lit up. Unlike his previous starts, Hill really battled and was able to give the Cubs 6 innings and give the bullpen a bit of breather. That’s really the only positive I can find in yesterday’s game. The Cubs were mollywomped in all aspects of the game
In case anyone was wondering, the career series vs the Nationals (includes montreal days) is 256-281. The Cubs record at RFK is now 3-6 after yesterday’s loss. The Expos/Nationals have typically been a thorn in the side in recent memory. It was good to see the Cubs take the first 5 of the Series. Despite the loss I’m pretty sure we’ll all be satisfied with a 6-1 series against the Nats this year… after they win tonight anyway.
Tonights Starters:
Sean Marshall (4-3, 3.50)
So far this year, the best chance to get to Marshall is in the first inning. He tends to get better as the game goes on. Marshall also become more vulnerable when his pitch count gets up over 75 pitches. If the Nats are not able to get to him early, the best approach would to be as patient as possible and make Marshall throw more pitches. Besides, the Cubs bullpen right now is over worked and vulernable as well. Marshall is rather strange for a lefty as he is more effective against right handers(.651) than he is lefties (.840). At the plate, Marshall is hitless in 11 at bats with one walk and two sacrifices.
Jason Bergmann (1-5, 3.47)
I had a chance to see Bergmann pitch during his rehab assignment with Columbus. He threw a lot of strikes and really went after the hitters. The Lynx were unable to do much against him as he held them scoreless until he reached his pitch count limit. Bergmann’s record is a little misleading (as they usually are), he has been really snake bit this year. He has pitched well enough to win in all but 2 of his start (his first start of the year and his last start). In his 10 starts this year he has 7 quality starts. I think any team would be more than happy with that performance. The Nationals are 3-7 on days he has pitched this year. But like I said, records are misleading. The offense behind Bergmann is averaging only about 2.24 runs for him a start. Bergmann is tougher on righties (.495 OPS against) than he is lefties (.749 OPS against). Bergmann tends to walk lefties at a higher rate and is also more prone to coughing up the long ball against them. At the Plate, Bergmann is 2-19 with no sacrifices.
