I would like to think that the Cubs may have one of the best 7th-8th-9th inning combos in the league with the trio of Marshall, Wood and Marmol. The main kink in this plan becomes apparent when any one of these guys needs a day off, which means we get introduced to some rookies and a mediocre wide receiver turned horrible pitcher. Undoubtedly, these days off will happen a lot given Wood’s bionic arm and Marmol’s occasional moonlighting as “Wild Thing” Vaughn. Regardless, Marshall and Marmol had extremely solid seasons last year (Wood can still bring it, too), and if they can produce similarly again in 2011, we may not have to be so nervous every time Zambrano cramps up in the 6th inning. The first week of the season has not been all too kind to Marmol and Wood though, but let’s hope it gets turned around sooner than later.

Thank goodness Soriano is actually hitting the ball this April. In 2010, he didn’t hit his 3rd homerun until April 30th – 22 games into the season. This year, he’s at 3 homers after only 6 games. He gets booed enough for all of the other shenanigans he pulls, and at least when he’s hitting homeruns he can catch a break from the boos. He still can’t catch a ball, but at least he can hit.

Here are a few photos from the Cubs’ opening weekend against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Spirits were high and seats were empty. Now, just 5 days into the season, spirits are low and seats will be even more empty. The Cubs have lost 2/5 of their starting rotation to the DL – and hopefully the short-kind of DL, not the Dr. Andrews-kind of DL.

Anyway, here are a few shots from the game on Saturday. More photos to come later.

Click here to see a few more photos.

A year ago, the real champs cut down the nets at the Final Four in Indianapolis. A team like the 2010 Blue Devils (and a class-act player like Nolan Smith) cutting down the nets was more fulfilling than watching the Huskies do the same last night – amidst allegations and sanctions.

Every time I see Will Hoge, he gets better and better. The guy is a class-act performer, with poignant lyrics and rocking tunes. His songs continue to get more and more powerful over the years. He’s been through more in the last few years than most artists go through in a lifetime, yet he keeps marching on and touring. Night after night, city after city, he leaves it all on the stage for every person in the crowd. Will is by far the most genuine person I’ve come across in the music world, and he deserves all the success that comes his way.

I will be posting more photos in a few days, but here are a handful of shots from Saturday’s show up in Evanston.

Click here for a few more photos.