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 The Cubs had an interesting day/night doubleheader against the A's and Giants yesterday and outside of the news about Kerry Wood having back spasms, everything turned out as well as they could have. In the first game, Ryan Dempster threw five strong innings, striking out seven and walking two as he continues to sew up the third spot in the rotation. Dempster has been throwing well all Spring and Cubs fans should have no reason to doubt that he'll do the same once the season starts. Kosuke Fukudome saw his Spring batting average drop to .225 in the afternoon game as he went 0-3 but Derrek Lee hit his first homer of the Spring.
In the evening game, Jon Lieber continued his battle with Jason Marquis for the final spot in the rotation by throwing five innings while only giving up one run. More importantly, after the game Lieber said he'd be willing to pitch out of the bullpen for the Cubs:
"I'm not even worried about it," said Lieber, one of three pitchers
vying for two spots in the rotation. "You can't do nothing. Like I've
said before, I'm more than happy to go to the bullpen. Those guys ...
deserve to be in that rotation. They've done a great job."
Now that is what you call a professional and that's exactly what the Cubs need...players willing to do anything to help the team. I have to believe that the Cubs will try to trade Jason Marquis but if they don't find an attractive offer they'll move Lieber to the bullpen. Again, I can't stress the importance of the Cubs being able to know that their pitchers will be able to pitch when their turn comes around in the rotation and they just don't have that with Lieber. Maybe this will work out best for everyone though as Marquis generally struggles during the second half of the season and Lieber can come in to take his spot. Or....Lieber will provide Marquis the motivation to keep his head on straight for a full season.
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2008 Cubs Preview
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