Cubs claim 2013 opening series in Pittsburgh, avoid near meltdown late in Game 3

AP Photo- Gene J. Puskar

  Thanks to homeruns from Anthony Rizzo in Game 1 (3-1 win) and a significant one from newcomer Nate Schierholtz in Game 3 late the Cubs managed to win 2-of-3 from the Pirates to kick the season off right.  Starlin Castro knocked in a run with a single in yesterday's 3-2 victory also to help the cause.  Let's not forget about the starting pitching either which rendered 2 total runs for the series.  Fine outings by Jeff Samardzija (7 innings: 2 H, 0 ER, 9 K's) on opening day and then Travis Wood (1-0, allowed one hit in 6 IP) Thursday allows Chicago to earn a 2-1 record to start the season.  The only loss came the previous day with a 3-0 shutout with basically no offensive production. 

  Less hitting for the most part revolved around the first series on the road.  Chicago must work to achieve a 4-run average each game. That is a decent goal to start with for the lineup.  The worst issue to notice though came in the 9th inning for Game 3 with Carlos Marmol again, who came in close and caused a near diaster.  He pitched uncertain to yield 2 runs across the plate.  Other than pitching to Andrew McClutchen the reliever should've had nothing to worry about.  He is a lost cause for the team with several bad closing appearances in 2012.  As luck went the Cubs way they managed to get a double play to end the game, 3-2. 

  As far as the outfield goes for now there needs to be another tremendous bat added in either left or right field.  Judging from the marginal hits in 3 games Cubs management can work to pull off at least one big trade.  Third base needs a good replacement when the time comes later this year.  If anything the team can go out and pick up more than a ulility player to cover the spots Chicago lacks offense the most.  Why not look for someone like Raul Ibanez, Corey Hart, or even a Jose Bautista caliber type position player?  The starting pitching won't be able to endure all the time so it's worth making an early move.  So far the club looks okay to play small ball behind effective starters.  Still management needs to ship Marmol, DeJesus, and possibly Soriano somewhere to get any good value before it's too late.  The Cubs match-up with Atlanta for a 3-game series starting Friday where the bats may come up in short supply.