As I write this, the Cubs are in the fith inning against the Marlins, with an 8-1 lead. I have to say, no matter how this game turns out (actually, with impending weather issues, it may not turn out at all), it's good to see some runs on the board. Of course, they've managed 8 runs against one of the better pitchers in the league, with their best hitter on the bench.

I don't really have a point to this, except that no matter what happens in baseball, you never really know what's going to happen next. Although Neifi's 0-3 is hardly a surprise.

On another note, it's interesting to see Matt Murton starting in left, although it makes perfect sense with a lefty on the mound. He's responding well, 1-1 so far with a walk and a sac fly. I would have rather seen Greenberg in center with Hairston at second and Perez on the bench, instead of Hairston in center and Perez at second, but obviously that's too much to ask.

Zambrano just walked his fifth batter of the night, and his BB/9 is up substantially - about half a walk more - from last year. Troubling, although he's giving up fewer hits, partly because his K/9 is the highest of his career. Paradoxically, his ground ball/fly ball ratio is up from last year, but he's on pace to give up far more homers than he ever has. I don't know what to make of all this.

Nonetheless, I'll put forth a theory. I wonder if he's not on the cusp of becoming truly dominant. It seems that he has better pure stuff than ever, but is having some trouble with his control as he adjusts. If he can get it figured out ... wow. After all, even with the control problems, he's pretty good. And he's still only 24. Hard to believe that just a few short years ago, his future as a starter was in doubt.

Or, maybe that's just the homer in me.

Good, five innings are in. Bring on the rain!

Murton now has added a double to his debut evening. Gotta love that 1.000/.750/1.500 line, even if it looks really weird.

Neifi has just popped up, and is now 0-4. Even Pat and Ron seem to have given up on Neifi.

Getting back to Greenberg, I just noticed that Carrie Muskat mentions today that Greenberg will "sub in center field against right-handers." What does this mean? Does it mean that Greenberg will start against right-handers, or merely that on the rare occasions Greenberg actually plays, it will be against right-handers? One never knows, but it's hard to believe the former, given recent history.

Wuertz has walked the leadoff batter. Coupled with Neifi's 0-4, I rescind my earlier comment that "no matter what happens in baseball, you never really know what's going to happen next." Now he's walked the second guy, too. Followed by the three-run homer by Lowell. Tell Corey hi when you see him, Michael.

Off-topic, but Pat just mentioned that the chance of rain in Miami tomorrow has been downgraded from 100% to 60%. My question is, how can you possibly downgrade from 100%? 100% means that there is NO CHANCE of it not raining. 100% is, by definition, an absolute. If you downgrade from that, it means that the chance of rain wasn't really 100%, right?

Speaking of rain, Pat says it's coming down pretty good. For the best, I say. Don't stop now, nature!

Pat: "It's still raining, but not as hard as it was a minute ago, thankfully." THANKFULLY? Whose side are you on, Pat?!?! They're up 8-6, the bullpen is in the process of melting down, and you're HAPPY the rain is dying down?

Whew. Fortunately, a double play gets them out of the inning.

Now more rain, and a delay. Sounds like some problems with the tarp, so the chances of resuming the game seem pretty slim. With that, I think I'll call it a night.