The Starting Rotation

Perspective is a funny thing. Never would I have thought having a 13-14 record for a calendar month would be a good thing. Alright, maybe not good, but an ok thing. In that 27-game, overall losing record stretch, the Cubs managed to outscore their opponents 129-99. That's right. One game below .500 but with a +30 run differential. It's a step in the right direction.

A lot of the credit goes to the Cubs starting pitchers, but not how you might think. The rotation was only 8-10 for the month but they also managed to drive in a National League-record breaking 19 runs themselves at the plate.

Recently returing to the rotation after a DL stint, Matt Garza hit a two run double in his season debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Unfortunately, the Cubs squandered the lead, losing 5-4, in a no-decision for Garza. I haven't had a chance to make a card for Garza yet but it's coming.

Edwin Jackson contributed two RBIs with a double to get the ball rolling in an 8-2 blowout against the Washington Nationals (a game that I attended).

Jeff Samardzija broke a 1-1 tie against the Colorado Rockies with a two-run home run, the second of his career. The Cubs held on for a 6-3 victory.

Add up Garza, Jackson and Samardzija's RBI total for May and you'll come up with six, equal to what Scott Feldman drove in himself. Spread out over 4 games, Feldman's four hits included two doubles and a home run.

That brings us to Travis Wood, whose grand slam against the White Sox brought his May (and season) total up to seven RBIs. Additionally, he had a two-run homer earlier in the month.

With that kind of run production, it comes as no surprise that Wood and Feldman are the only Cubs with a winning record. Although, the way Garza has been pitching, he could be joining them soon. Yes, I know he's 1-0, but let's get him a few more starts and we can talk again.

Let's keep it going into June!

2013 Topps Edwin Jackson Factory Team Set

Edwin Jackson signed as a free agent this past off season so his inclusion in this team set needed a photoshop job. His 1-6 record this season doesn't necessarily reflect the ways he's pitched. I was fortunate enough to witness his lone victory this season last weekend against his former team, the Nationals.

The photo Topps used was good although, with his throwing hand knuckles nearly cropped off and his glove arm missing, it was probably better suited for a horizontal card. Since the Cubs didn't have any of those in the team set, that would have been nice.

This was kind of a tough photo to find. Apparently Jackson has a very consistent windup and follow through. The only variations were slight timing differences in when the photos were taken during the process. Sometimes his throwing arm was up closer towards his arm later in the delivery or the glove was curled in a little closer towards the body. 

What gave this photo away were the legs behind Jackson in the background against the blue signage. 

Acording to the caption, this was a game between the Washington Nationals and the Milwaukee Bewers on July 26, 2012. Normally, since this didn't involve the Cubs, I wouldn't really care but for the sake of consistency in these posts, I looked up the boxscore.

Jackson and the Nats defeated the Brewers 8-2 just like his game last weekend. Similarly, he also helped himself at the plate. In that game we went 1-2 with a walk and scored twice.

I've admitted not following much baseball beyond the Cubs and their opponents but I didn't realize Jackson had played for so many teams before coming to the Cubs. More than a couple one and dones. The Cubs are looking good right now so like the bullpen from yesterday, let's get the bats going and get some run support.

Trade with Golden Rainbow Cards

A couple of days ago I plugged two new blogs, one of them being Golden Rainbow Cards. Bryan had contacted me about my 2013 Topps Want List and offered some help which I gladly accepted. The package arrived on Monday and got me 14 cards closer to completion along with a Cubbie parallel!

 To go along with the base card and the black border parallel, this is my third version of this Dejesus card.

Red Target David DeJesus parallel

 I won't show all 14 cards Bryan sent but will do a Christmas Carol version of the few. I present to you from 2013 Topps, Cubs of Past, Present and Future!

2013 Topps Sean Marshall #251

 From the past, we have reliever Sean Marshal. He pitched for the Cubs from 2006-2011 and was sent to the Reds in exchange for Travis Wood and Dave Sappelt last offseason.

2013 Topps Anthony Rizzo #44

From the present, we have Topps All-Star Rookie, Anthony Rizzo. I had this card already for my Cubs collection but needed one for my complete Topps set. Rizzo should be the Cubs first baseman for years to come!

2013 Topps Edwin Jackson #233

And from the future, Edwin Jackson. He signed as a free agent this offseason. Some might consider Jackson a present Cub but in this fan's opinion, he still has to make an official appearance in the regular season. I've seen him play for my hometown Washington Nationals so I have high expectations for this former All-Star.

Thanks again to Bryan over at Golden Rainbow Cards for the great trade! Check out his blog if you haven't already!