5-1, +7.45 units
2* <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
ffice:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on"><st1
lace w:st="on">Chicago</st1lace></st1:City> Cubs -112
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o> </o>
The Cubs were 5-3 on the road in decisive game 3’s 1<SUP>st</SUP> half of last year including a win over the Reds at Cincy in this same situation. In my opinion, this early season game means more to the Cubs, new manager Sweet Lou, and free agent signee Jason Marquis to get off on the right foot to start the season in Cubbie uniforms.
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The Cubs also have a greater advantage in the pitching matchup than this line indicates.
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Although I’m not a big Jason Marquis fan, he is a pitcher that has historically started off seasons hot, while Reds starter Kyle Lohse has not. In fact, Marqui’s ERA in April at 3.99 is his best month. And that may be just what the Dr. ordered as Marquis faded down the stretch last year as the season wore on, and he will get a fresh start with a new team to make things right in his favorite part of the year: the start.
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Lohse’s ERA the past 3 seasons has been significantly worse in the first month of the season than any other month. Lohse is 3-6, with a 7+ ERA in April, by far his worst month the past 3 years. This tells me Lohse is a pitcher that has a hard time settling into seasons, he takes awhile to get the feel of his pitches, and in this particular case, it may be even more difficult for him. Lohse was with <st1:State w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Minnesota</st1lace></st1:State> for 5 or 6 years, his home field was a dome, and struggled last year with Cincinatti making the switch from American to National and dome to outdoor. Lohse’s ERA naturally decreased facing new hitters that had never faced him before, and getting to face the pitcher instead of a DH, but opponents hit .313 off of him at the Great American Ballpark. His one outing vs. the Cubs was 3 IP, 7 hits, 6 runs scored and 2 HR’s.
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With the addition of Soriano to this lineup, Cliff Floyd, a healthy Derek Lee, and a red hot Ramirez - Lohse will struggle today going up vs. a veteran pitcher, veteran coach, and a veteran lineup in it’s prime. Meanwhile, although Marquis hasn’t been lights out vs. this Reds lineup, he has absolutely dominated Adam Dunn in 32 career At-Bats, only 4 hits, and that puts a big hole in the Reds lineup in the 3 spot.
Reds used 4 bullpen pitchers yesterday, while the Cubs used 2.
Chicago 6
Cincinatti 4
2* <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
ffice:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Chicago</st1lace></st1:City> Cubs -112<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o> </o>The Cubs were 5-3 on the road in decisive game 3’s 1<SUP>st</SUP> half of last year including a win over the Reds at Cincy in this same situation. In my opinion, this early season game means more to the Cubs, new manager Sweet Lou, and free agent signee Jason Marquis to get off on the right foot to start the season in Cubbie uniforms.
<o
> </o>The Cubs also have a greater advantage in the pitching matchup than this line indicates.
<o
> </o>Although I’m not a big Jason Marquis fan, he is a pitcher that has historically started off seasons hot, while Reds starter Kyle Lohse has not. In fact, Marqui’s ERA in April at 3.99 is his best month. And that may be just what the Dr. ordered as Marquis faded down the stretch last year as the season wore on, and he will get a fresh start with a new team to make things right in his favorite part of the year: the start.
<o
> </o>Lohse’s ERA the past 3 seasons has been significantly worse in the first month of the season than any other month. Lohse is 3-6, with a 7+ ERA in April, by far his worst month the past 3 years. This tells me Lohse is a pitcher that has a hard time settling into seasons, he takes awhile to get the feel of his pitches, and in this particular case, it may be even more difficult for him. Lohse was with <st1:State w:st="on"><st1
lace w:st="on">Minnesota</st1lace></st1:State> for 5 or 6 years, his home field was a dome, and struggled last year with Cincinatti making the switch from American to National and dome to outdoor. Lohse’s ERA naturally decreased facing new hitters that had never faced him before, and getting to face the pitcher instead of a DH, but opponents hit .313 off of him at the Great American Ballpark. His one outing vs. the Cubs was 3 IP, 7 hits, 6 runs scored and 2 HR’s. <o
> </o>With the addition of Soriano to this lineup, Cliff Floyd, a healthy Derek Lee, and a red hot Ramirez - Lohse will struggle today going up vs. a veteran pitcher, veteran coach, and a veteran lineup in it’s prime. Meanwhile, although Marquis hasn’t been lights out vs. this Reds lineup, he has absolutely dominated Adam Dunn in 32 career At-Bats, only 4 hits, and that puts a big hole in the Reds lineup in the 3 spot.
Reds used 4 bullpen pitchers yesterday, while the Cubs used 2.
Chicago 6
Cincinatti 4
