This is all a test, we are still in pre-season mode until Monday! 

When Jason Marquis signed a contract for 3 years and $21 million this past offseason, I think Cubs fans had one of two reactions:
1) You've got to be kidding me! He was horrible with the Cardinals.
2) Well, at least he's always been healthy. He'll at least eat up some innings.

Fast forward seven weeks into the season and Cubs fans are now saying one of two things about the signing:
1) What a deal!! $7 million a year for a pitcher who is 5-1 is a great signing!
2) Jason Marquis for Cy Young! Check that....Jason Marquis is Cy Young!!

Oh boy. I like to stay as unbiased/level headed as possible when it comes the the Cubs, but I'm ecstatic with the way Marquis has pitched. Last night, Marquis won his 5th game of the season with a complete game, zero walk, five strikeout, three hit, bleacher bums going crazy, shutout of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The amazing thing is that Marquis has been doing this all season long. In the two games he pitched that he didn't win (one loss, one no decision), Marquis threw a total of 11 innings and only gave up four earned runs....and those were his first two starts of the season. Since then he is, obviously, 5-0 and has pitched over six innings in each of his starts.

Now we all will begin to wonder why Marquis is doing so well......Here are the reasons. Last season, in 33 starts Marquis gave up 35 home runs. This season, he has given up two. He's giving up fewer hits this season because he has confidence in his breaking pitch, which...and I hate to do this....should be credited to Cubs Pitching Coach Larry Rothschild. His delivery seems to be extremely consistent this season as well, whereas when I watched him pitch for the Braves and Cardinals in the past, it seemed to be out of whack at times. Credit Rothschild, Marquis and.....Greg Maddux for the success.

Greg Maddux you ask? Well, Maddux is an old friend of Marquis from his days with the Braves and this past offseason he recommended that Marquis sign with the Cubs so he could work with Rothschild. I see Maddux as a pitching genius and even though I have a dislike for Rothschild.....Rothschild must know what he's doing. After the recommendation came around, Marquis actually worked out for Rothschild before he signed with the Cubs. Only after the workout went as planned and Rothschild felt he could work with Marqus, did the Cubs sign him.

It's still early in the season and anything could happen but Jason Marquis is off to a great start and has become one of the most important players on the Cubs roster.

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