And this Lilly thing is especially worrying when y...

2008-04-14T10:06:00.000-05:00

And this Lilly thing is especially worrying when you consider that last year he was the Cubs' "stopper." Throughout the season, and especially in the latter half, Lilly was the guy that always seemed to have a great day exactly when the club needed it. If we were on a big losing streak, when Lilly's turn came up he would put a stop to it. Now-the guy has like a 9+ Ernie and has looked terrible.

And what's also worrying about Marquis is that he's known for having great (okay, "good") first halves, then shitty second halves. If he looks like this in April-what are we going to be watching in August?

Overall, a 4-2 road trip is good and you'd rather ...

2008-04-14T09:07:00.000-05:00

Overall, a 4-2 road trip is good and you'd rather go 3-0 versus a lowly division team and 1-2 versus a potential division winner.

The bullpen was a bit shaky yesterday, probably from overuse. Wuertz struggled for the first time. Marshall was a big lift after Wuertz, even if he gave up the one run. Marmol was his usual solid self. While Woody didn't give a run, he wasn't flawless. If D-Lee hadn't snagged that grounder, the Cubs would've been swept.

But don't forget the other hero of the day, Felix Pie. Pie came in to pinch hit for Hank White in the 8th. Well, at least, he came in to be announced as the pinch hitter so that the Phils would switch to a lefty and then Lou could bring in Soto.

I guess we all knew that Lieb was brought in because the Cubs weren't going to be super-solid for the entire rotation, but the Lilly/Hill thing is worrisome. Lou's message to Hill was pretty clear, let's hope he responds. As for Lilly, I don't know what to think. He looked like he was going to battle his way through the 5th on Saturday, but just couldn't. That's what worries me. When a vet is going through a bad stretch, he needs to be able to gut out a performance that keeps his team in it. Lilly didn't.

Comments on Towel Drills: Chicago Cubs Prospects, Rosters, & Trade Rumors: Cubs Recap: Cubs @ Phillies 4/13/08

And this Lilly thing is especially worrying when y...

Overall, a 4-2 road trip is good and you'd rather ...