Jason Marquis sucks. There, now that I've got the obligatory comment out of the way, we can move on to a (quick) discussion of Friday's game. I say quick because it's August. Enjoy the weather, meet some friends, have a good time. The dogs days of summer are officially here, and I really wouldn't dwell on the Cubs 3-0 loss to the Pirates today. It's just one of those losses. Move on.
But back to Marquis sucking. He really doesn't, and didn't today. However, apparently I couldn't even grab lunch at an upscale restaurant and watch the game without hearing the familiar refrain. He went six innings, giving up three runs in all. Trust me, it was not Marquis's sharpest outing, as he allowed lead-off hitters in four of his six innings, and fell behind way too many hitters. I'd complain, but if you're 5th starter gets a quality start, what can you really say? He kept you in the ballgame, and didn't tax the bullpen. And the hitters? Well, let's just say that this game was a snooze; a classic dog day game, with too many guys sleep-walking through the afternoon. I expect them to bounce back tomorrow, but the letdown from the Brewers series was palpable.
No, the one thing that stood out in this game that I have to gripe about yet again was advance scouting. Yes, advance scouting. It's a been a bad joke around here for years that in a pennant-chasing season, should have no one laughing. Once again a relative unknown like Jeff Karstens baffles the Cubs, and collects a win. I was convinced that no one was actually reading them before. But then Bob Brenly and Len Kasper announced that the Cubs contacted ex-Cub and Yankee bullpen coach Mark Harkey for scouting on Jeff, a former Yankee. Huh? Guys, it August. In another two weeks, half the National League will be checking out for the year, either bringing up call-ups for a 2009 preview, or doing waiver wire deals that will feature guys you've not seen recently. If you're serious about making a run at this, perhaps you might consider actually GETTING AND READING THE DAMN ADVANCED REPORTS!!! Sigh. There, I've said my peace. See you tomorrow. I'm off to go laugh at Ken Griffey, Jr. playing center field for the Sox.