Did anybody else feel like they got hit by a bus yesterday after Carlos Zambrano's 8-run meltdown over an inning and a third against the Braves? I mean seriously, what in the name of Tuffy Rhodes was that for an opening day performance? Big Z has always been historically bad on opening day (only one win in 6 appearances since 2005), but he didn't even leave the game with his dignity. On the bright side, Sean Marshall dazzled for almost three innings and whiffed five guys in the process, and James Russell was stellar in his big league debut. However, the cause for concern is imminent with this completely unacceptable performance from Zambrano. The Cubbie starting rotation is already a huge question mark and to see the #1 starter get his teeth kicked in like he did does not bode well for the ole confidence.
It was also nice to see Marlon Byrd get off to a great start. I heard Pat & Ron say he's the first Cub to hit a home run in his first at-bat with the team since O'Henry Rodriguez did it in 1998. I'll go ahead and log that little nugget of info away for the next time I'm on Cubs Jeopardy. Byrd's big fly was cause for brief elation until Zambrano took the mound at the bottom of the inning.
Opening Day was a bit of a downer but keep your heads up everyone. This isn't the NFL where seasons are won and lost in one game. This is baseball and we have 161 more to go!
You are the least prolific blogger of all time. Have you given up already?
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