SarroSports

9/17/08 2:38pm

Cubs fans have been down this road before, looking like the team to beat in the NL coming down the final  stretch of the 2008 season.  Unfortunately for cubs fans, this road leads to a dark and dreary place.  In 2003 the cubs needed only one win in games six or seven to advance to the world series. With stud aces Kerry Wood and Mark Prior taking the hill, all looked well for Chicago.  In game six, the cubs had a 3-0 lead with only five outs to go, when the lovable losers blew it again. This time with a little help from one of their fans.  We all know what Steve Bartman did, reaching over into the field of play taking a probable out from the grasp of left fielder Mosis Alou.  Add in an Alex Gonzalez error at short, and the Marlins were off to an eight run inning that cub fans will never forget.  Game seven didn’t go any better with the cubs jumping out to an early lead only to lose the game and the series.  Yes folks the cubs were five measly outs away from baseballs biggest stage, but couldn’t get the job done.  This year the cubs will be singing a different tune and the loudest singers are the guys in the bullpen. 

Power arms dominate games in the late innings and Lou Pinella has always wanted a bullpen that looks like the cubs in 2008.  No wonder why Pinella has always been obsessed with guys who can dial it up near 100 mph. Its a high probability for a strikeout and therefore no freak incidents such as Steve Bartman (currently in hiding, there’s a better chance of finding Whitey Bulger than Bartman in October) and eliminates any chance of errors (see Alex Gonzalez game 6).  Strangely enough there is a familiar face that is getting it done for the cubs, but this times its at the back end of the bullpen.  Kerry Wood, 2003 game 7 goat who gave up seven earned runs over 5 1/3 innings, is now the cubs closer.  Wood has 31 saves in 37 chances, striking out a whopping 77 batters in only 61 innings pitched.  Woods arsenal of pitchers include a high 90’s fastball and a nasty slider that can freeze hitters at the plate.  As if this wasn’t bad enough for opposing hitters, Wood brings along some friends who have been just as impressive.

When the Cubs drafted Carlos Marmol as an outfielder in 1999, they soon saw flaws in his game that eventually lead to a position switch behind the plate.  Not having much success their either, Marmol took his rocket arm to the mound and never looked back.  In 2008, Marmol has struck out 111 batters in 83.1 innings, while posting a 2.70 ERA.  These impressive numbers landed Marmol on his first all-star team.  Marmol’s success can be attributed to his three plus major league pitches.  His mid 90’s sinker, a fastball that touches 97, and a devastating slider considered one of the best in baseball.  Marmol owns the 8th inning and look to see plenty of him in the postseason.

As if shutdown relievers in the 8th and 9th innings went enough, the cubs make it tough for opposing hitters in the 7th inning as well.  Former Notre Dame football wide receiver Jeff Samardzija is lighting it up since being called up to the majors on July 26th.  His velocity on his fastball has increased every season as a professional baseball player and now consistently throws in the high 90’s.  He has an electric arm and the potential to rack up huge strike out totals.  Samardzija boasts a 2.31 era and looks to see action in big game situations after gaining the trust of cubs management. 

Having a dominant bullpen in the playoffs, shortens games and allows managers to match up well against opposing line-ups.  In 2002 the Angles power arms in their bullpen, were a huge part of the teams success and eventually the reason why they won the world series.  Throwing Scott Shields, K-rod, and Troy Percival late in games, allowed manager Mike Scocia to take out struggling starters early.  This also deflates the moral of opposing hitters, knowing that they only have six or seven innings to put runs on the board.  With all this said things are looking good for the cubs heading into the postseason.  Then again its the Cubs, anything could happen.

-Sarro