Tuesday, April 21, 2009

What we know about Chicago Cubs after 11 games

Bullpen starting to take shape; Lee, Fukudome making strides at the plate

By Dave van Dyck

After the first two weeks of the season—11 games for the Cubs—what do we know about the two-time defending Central Division champions as they prepare to play host to Dusty Baker's Cincinnati Reds?

"It's going to take us a little longer [to know]," manager Lou Piniella said. "I've got 40 percent turnover on this team. That's a lot."

Technically, Piniella is correct, but most of his core lineup and starting rotation is the same as last summer.

So to help Piniella, here's what we know so far:

The bullpen ... is not nearly as jumbled as many believe and is sorting itself out quickly, with Aaron Heilman the bridge to Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg.

But the future of David Patton is in doubt and the annual problem with left-handers is surfacing early.

Like Will Ohman two years ago and Scott Eyre a year ago—both gone at season's end—Neal Cotts is quickly working his way into the manager's doghouse.

Piniella does like lefty Sean Marshall, who is in the rotation—for now. But with Jeff Samardzija starting and doing well in Iowa, could he be promoted and Marshall returned to his bullpen role that Piniella favored last year?

Milton Bradley is ... well, what is he?

Is he a question mark because of the small sampling? Or just what was expected, given his tight lower body and history of leg problems?

Forget about the infamous temper, Bradley's physical status could become an on-going saga.

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