The Gist: Game #9

The Cubs bullpen is on fire (and not in a good way).

• I'm going to let Heilman off the hook for his earned run. We need him for long relief, and he will be a staple. Occasionally he'll allow a run, which I can life with.

• Holy hell Neal Cotts. Can someone check to see if his number of hits and walks allowed outwieghs his number of outs recorded? I bet it does. I don't care if he's the only lefty in the 'pen. Get him out of here and find someone else.

• Oh young, sweet David Patton. We all want you to succeed. You had a hell of a spring. However, it's well known that you were kept on the roster so that we wouldn't immediately lose you as a Rule V. Really, we wish you could put it together and stick with the Cubs. But you know what they say, if you love something, you have to set it free...

• Angel Guzman? The same hyped Angel Guzman that the Sporting News touted as a top prospect in 1995*? So you're out of options? Big deal. We could steal a better option than Guzman off of the Pirates roster.

• Luis Vizcaino didn't screw up today, but even he knows he's in Lou's permanent doghouse.

• Add it all up and this is one deplorable bullpen in the early going.

Milton Bradley strikes out looking to end a rally, then gets ejected for arguing balls and strikes. No umpire is going to give you pitches Milton. You have to swing man.

Look for the Fukudome flower to start wilting May 1, but we might as well enjoy the ride while it lasts.