Seemingly on life support, the Chicago Cubs got a defibrillator boost this weekend from Jeff Samardzija.
Yes, the same Samardzija that was hauling in TD passes at Notre Dame less than two years ago.
After giving up football by signing a $10 million deal with the Cubs, he quickly tore up minor league pitching and Sunday, he saved the Cubs game with two shutout innings, striking out three Marlins.
Even Lou Piniella can't help but sing the rookie's praises. "We've been looking for one more good arm in the bullpen, and I think we've found it."
Piniella even talked about wanting to hit a Notre Dame football game this fall.
Samardzija, however, did have some mixed results in his debut on Friday, giving up the tying run in the 7th inning before pitching a perfect 8th and the Marlins won the game in the 9th.
But with Kerry Wood on the disabled list with a blister and Carlos Marmol and Bobby Howry struggling, Piniella decided to give Samardzija the ball in a pressure situation, which doesn't seem to faze the 6-foot-5 righty who's hitting 97 on the radar gun.
Two spring trainings ago, I remember, Samardzija pitching an inning against the Giants when Barry Bonds came to the plate. Samardzija overpowered Bonds twice, before ripping a single.
Expect more of the same this year. He'll overpower most hitters, but the good ones will still figure him out, just like Hanley Ramirez did, smacking an 0-2 pitch on Friday and later scoring the tying run.
But just like K-Rod gave the Angels a shot in the arm in 2002 and Joba Chamberlain did with the Yanks last year, the Cubs have new star power coming out of the bullpen and the Wrigley faithful absolutely love it.
They even gave Samardzija as standing O after his first appearance, the first of many to come.
Fantasy spin: Samardzija (3.13 ERA, 40 Ks in 32 IP in AAA Iowa) won't likely get too many saves this year, but he should be considered heavily in all keeper leagues. The Cubs will probably revert him back to a starter long-term, but if Wood is out for longer than expected and Marmol's struggles continue, Samardzija is a dark horse to take over the closer's job this season.
Samardzija, however, did have some mixed results in his debut on Friday, giving up the tying run in the 7th inning before pitching a perfect 8th and the Marlins won the game in the 9th.
But with Kerry Wood on the disabled list with a blister and Carlos Marmol and Bobby Howry struggling, Piniella decided to give Samardzija the ball in a pressure situation, which doesn't seem to faze the 6-foot-5 righty who's hitting 97 on the radar gun.
Two spring trainings ago, I remember, Samardzija pitching an inning against the Giants when Barry Bonds came to the plate. Samardzija overpowered Bonds twice, before ripping a single.
Expect more of the same this year. He'll overpower most hitters, but the good ones will still figure him out, just like Hanley Ramirez did, smacking an 0-2 pitch on Friday and later scoring the tying run.
But just like K-Rod gave the Angels a shot in the arm in 2002 and Joba Chamberlain did with the Yanks last year, the Cubs have new star power coming out of the bullpen and the Wrigley faithful absolutely love it.
They even gave Samardzija as standing O after his first appearance, the first of many to come.
Fantasy spin: Samardzija (3.13 ERA, 40 Ks in 32 IP in AAA Iowa) won't likely get too many saves this year, but he should be considered heavily in all keeper leagues. The Cubs will probably revert him back to a starter long-term, but if Wood is out for longer than expected and Marmol's struggles continue, Samardzija is a dark horse to take over the closer's job this season.
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