Rich Hill

Finally it feels like baseball season. Monday was the official opening day, but I had not had a chance to see any baseball until tonight. It was worth the wait.

The Cub offense went to work early, marking six runs in the opening frame against the Milwaukee Brewers. Then Rich Hill went to work. He had five perfect innings before a home run in the sixth by right fielder Corey Hart broke things up a little. Hill finished with seven good innings, giving up only one hit.

Last year, Hill had his struggles early in the season. He was on the mound for the famous Cubs/Sox game where catchers Michael Barrett and A.J. Pierzynski squared off. After some ill-thought comments to the media, Dusty Baker sent the young man back to Iowa.

The young man did not pout like outfielder Corey Patterson the year before. He went to work to show Baker, Jim Hendry and anyone watching that he did not belong in AAA any longer. When he returned, he put together a great final stretch. It was such an impressive second half for Hill that no one doubted that he had a spot in the starting rotation this year. The only question was whether he would be considered number two, three or four.

Number four is going to be good for Hill as well. Lower expectations will reap great benefits. Hill watched as Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis put on good shows this week. Tonight he showed the league what he learned.

Angel Guzman, another youngster with high expectations, closed out the game. He allowed a couple runs, but it is hard to concentrate with an eight run lead.

Tomorrow, Carlos Zambrano gets another go. Expect to see a sharper Z than we saw Monday.

The Sox were frozen out in Chicago today. Management decided it was too cold for baseball, and they were right. It is funny that it was not too cold just an hour north.

As for me, if the pitching keeps going like they have started, it is going to be a fun season.