The Cubs got a welcome break Monday by not having to play in the Hall of Fame Game in Cooperstown after rain washed the game out.
The break is an especially welcome one for the bullpen, which has been heavily worked this year. Surprisingly, though, manager Lou Piniella said there's a method to the apparent madness of sending ace setup man Carlos Marmol out in three of the last four games, even with the Cubs having sizeable leads in two of those games. "We're trying to get him sharp too," Piniella said. "I'm using him real short, a couple hitters here, a couple hitters there. We're doing something with him in that regard."
That "something" is getting him work often. Marmol has made 37 appearances on the season. That tied him for second in the NL with four other relievers entering Monday.
Piniella noted the long counts Marmol sometimes gets himself into as evidence of needing to be sharper. However, it will be a balancing act of keeping a prized pitcher sharp and working him too much.
