Game 10

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• Friday April 11^th – Citizens Bank Park

• Phillies 5 – Cubs 3

• Record (6-4) – 2^nd place in the NL Central

The skinny: I actually felt good about the Cubs’ chances tonight against the reigning NL East champions. After all, the Cubbies had won five straight, two in extra innings, Big Z is on the mound and the Phils are without 2007 NL MVP Jimmy Rollins (sprained left ankle).

And, I felt even better after D. Lee (2-4, 1 RBI) and Aramis (2-4, 1 RBI) went back-to-back of Brett Myers in the top of the first giving the Cubs an early 2-0 lead. Although, that’s about all Myers allowed the Cubs the rest of the game (8 IP, 3-R, 5-H and 5-K).

Also, I thought the fifth inning play Fukudome made against Greg Dobbs’ drive into the left centerfield gap was indeed a catch. Granted, it was a borderline play. However, the technical ruling (Fukudome didn’t complete the play) appears to be baseball’s version of the tuck rule.

Still, Kosuke showed off his after-burners running a long way just to put leather on the ball. I figure a few Cubs fans watching the replay must have wondered why Fukudome isn’t in centerfield every game.

Speaking of which, during WGN’s pre-game show Lou said he needed to rest some regulars and get some more playing time for the bench. That explains Fukudome’s stint in centerfield.

Plus, Lou also said during the interview that the days of a player starting all 162 games are over. I have to agree. During the last ten years it seems a player is considered a “gamer” if he starts 150 or more ball games a year.

My theory to support Lou’s comment begins with the players’ high salaries. The high dollar signs tend to make organizations overly cautious about playing a star player through nagging injuries.

Thus, players spend an extended amount of time on the DL or rehabbing which, ultimately limits the total amount of games they’re available for during the season.

I don’t point any blame at the players or the general managers. Quite frankly, if I were in either one of their shoes I’d be following the same path. Or better said, it explains the career path of Mark Prior in Chicago.

Player’s High Salary + Player’s Agent = Cautious Front Office and Fewer Games Played

W: Myers (1-1) - S: Lidge (2)

L: Zambrano (1-1)

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Tags: Chicago Cubs, Cubbies, Kosuke Fukudome, Wrigley Field, MLB, Cubs, MVP, Carlos Zambrano, Aramis Ramirez, Derek Lee, WGN, Big Z, Sweet Lou, Baseball, Philadelphia Phillies, Jimmy Rollins, J-Role, NL MVP, tuck rule, Mark Prior