So the Cubbies are 4-2 so far this year. A decent start to hopefully a great year. There is some issue as to who the closer should be. Last year, Carlos Marmol was the set up man to Kerry Wood. Kevin Gregg was the closer for the Marlins and apparently had decent success. This year, Wood is off to Cleveland and the Cubbies brought in Kevin Gregg. There was an open competition in spring training for the closer's spot and Gregg won it. I don't know Gregg; however, I have seen him in two games so far and he lost one of them and struggled a bit in the other. On the other hand, Marmol has been lights out. That guy's stuff is just plain filthy. Apparently he was disappointed in not getting the closer's spot and maybe he is making a push for it now.
The closer's role is difficult and it takes a special person to take on that role. Maybe Marmol is too young and doesn't have the make up yet but we need to see better stuff from Gregg or there will have to be a change. The Cubbies are built to win it all and we need to have our best people in the best positions to help us win. I am not giving up on Gregg by any means. He was given the closer's spot in spring training and I assume deserved it and you can't make a change too quickly. However, continued erratic pitching will warrant a change. The biggest issue with Gregg has not been the hits he has given up but rather he is walking guys and putting tying/winning runners on base. That cannot happen. Again, we'll see if he improves. The Cubbies have their home opener today and another couple of shaky outings will really get the crowd against this guy. Hopefully he improves.
GO CUBBIES!!!
3 comments:
Marmol will be the closer. I watched last night and it is clear who should be the closer.
Marmol mows down batters and Gregg looks shaky.
It got a little dicey last night. Up 4 in the ninth, Gregg gave up a homer then gave up a single and a walk before striking out Prince Fielder to end the game. It should never have gotten to that point, and I was expecting Fielder to knock it out and tie the game.
Yeah, Gregg blew the first game of the series because of a walk.
Funny because I was watching last night and I saw him give up the home and then the single and the walk (he did it again) and I saw Fielder coming up and then I just konked out. I missed the very ending. I woke up this morning trying to figure out who won the game. I was happy to see Gregg and the Cubs hung on for the victory.
I heard that they wanted to go with Gregg because he has more 9th inning experience. The guy has 60+ saves over the last two years so he is capable. Hopefully he gets his act together. The good news if he doesn't is that we have a guy like Marmol to take his place. Marmol is extremely talented; however, as mentioned, it does take a person with very short term memory to hold that position. Marmol seems like he would hold on to things and have a hard time shaking a poor outing and would just beat himself up over it resulting in continued problems. Whatever. I still like the guy. We'll see how this plays out.
Marmol is just flat out better. He should close.
Post a Comment