4/14 Cubs (Jackson) vs. Giants (Lincecum) - 1:20 pm (CT) WGN

[Little Slide Rooter]

FWIW, we scored 4 runs or more in 7 of the last 8 games. If we can remain relevant until the originally projected starting rotation is in place:Garza-Shark-Jackson-2 of Baker/Wood/Villanueva (sorry Feldman) as well as Barney, Stewart, and maybe a few competent late inning relievers, this team could just be watchable.

How are we going to get a few competent late-inning relievers? And when exactly is Garza coming back? And why should we believe he won't just get hurt again a month later?

 

Don't know about Garza. But Barney's defense will be big, and if Stewart can hit he will too. The biggie is going to be that pen. With Gregg and Loe, the throwing [expletive] at the wall has already begun, and I suspect that until something sticks, more will be thrown.

[mul21]

FWIW, we scored 4 runs or more in 7 of the last 8 games. If we can remain relevant until the originally projected starting rotation is in place:Garza-Shark-Jackson-2 of Baker/Wood/Villanueva (sorry Feldman) as well as Barney, Stewart, and maybe a few competent late inning relievers, this team could just be watchable.

How are we going to get a few competent late-inning relievers? And when exactly is Garza coming back? And why should we believe he won't just get hurt again a month later?

 

In theory, a guy or two in the current rotation can slide to the pen and provide a little more consistency. Garza should be back the 1st or 2nd week of May. He's right, the offense hasn't been terrible this week, and they certainly should have capitalized on it better than they have, especially this series where they could have won every game with a little less mental midgetry.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Crap. Why was I thinking 7. Either way, I think that before the relationship comes do an end, unless something miraculous occurs between now and the 2015 offseason, money will be spent.

 

Money *is* being spent. They committed almost $100 million this offseason, and almost $50m of it is being paid out this year.

 

And when something truly worthy becomes available, they'll likely strike. The problem is that teams are locking up their young stars early and often these days, so it won't be as easy as we'll just buy this guy in 2014 and those guys in 2015. Kemp, Hamels, Kershaw, and Upton all would have been viable options, but they were extended. Can't fault them for not just letting the money burn a hole in their pocket and overpay for guys they don't view as fits; although as time goes on, they could very well become less picky about who is and isn't a fit. My point is that I'm not quite sure where I'm going with this due to 2.5 year old and 2 week old related exhaustion and my brain is clouded by hate for our bullpen as well as Brent Lillibridge who didn't even play.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I guess I have to wonder if throwing Tony Zych into the fire would be constructive or destructive.