Opening Lineup Impressions

Derek Lee hitting 6th - What is Lee's job to get on base so Alex Gonzalez and Michael Barrett can strikeout with a runner on base? I know Baker doesn't look at OBP, but put Lee 4th.

Michael Barrett - 3rd Inning Barret is looking HORRIBLE behind the plate. No big surprise. Looks like Wood is afraid to throw breaking balls in the dirt because Barrett is getting eaten alive trying to handle them. Again no big surprise.

Kerry Wood - Looked like Kerry Wood. 5 IP, 6 SO's, 3 BB, 95 pitches.

Mike Wuertz - Looked impressive in his debut striking out 2 batters in his first inning.

Joe Borowski - The Borowski watch is on in Chicago. Started off the inning with 88 MPH fastballs and 80 MPH sliders with the first two hitters. Then struggled with the next three hitters where his fastball was topping out at 86 MPH and slider was only occasionally hitting 80 MPH.

By that account his velocity is nearly 5 MPH off from where he should be. Not a good sign, especially with Baker looking for any little excuse to move Borowski from the closers role.

I am sure Baker instilled a great confidence boost in Borowski in the 1st game by warming up Hawkins when things got just a little bit harry. Its all a matter of time till Borowski gets demoted.

More later if anything else interesting happens.......