Maybe Cubs’ funk will lift in time

SEAN KEELER • sekeeler@dmreg.com • July 27, 2008 Chicago, Ill. - Maybe the Cubs are guilty, with Cheeseland looming, of nothing more than doing what the good people of Miami do every day: overlook those plucky little Marlins. Maybe Florida outfielder Jeremy Hermida, who blasted two home runs Saturday in a 3-2 Marlins victory at Wrigley Field, is just the inevitable second coming of Carlos Lee. Or maybe it's something else. Maybe the Chicago bullpen is still feeling the ripple effects of Kerry Wood's disabled-list-inducing blister, even if Carlos Marmol doesn't need a GPS system to find the strike zone anymore. Maybe manager Lou Piniella is coddling newly acquired starter Rich Harden, who was pulled after five mostly brilliant innings and just 87 pitches. Maybe this short-term batting funk - the North Siders left six men on... [read full story]