28-year old righty starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano didn’t have his best season in 2009 for the Cubs. He has started 27 games this season for the Cubs and he is 9-6 with a 3.69 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. In nine seasons with the Cubs, Zambrano has pitched in 258 games (237 starts) and he is 105-67 with a 3.50 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. I know that Lou Piniella has had some problems with Zambrano this season but he would be very hard to replace especially if the Cubs goal next season is to win a World Series.

The Chicago Cubs almost got rid of 27-year old reliever Angel Guzman before the 2009 season began. Who could blame them? From 2006-2008, Guzman pitched in 33 games (14 starts) in which he was 0-7 with a 6.00 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP. But, Guzman did show off an impressive arm and he did strike out 96 batters in his first 96 innings for the Cubs. This season Guzman has stepped up working out of the bullpen full time. He has pitched in 55 games (0 starts) for the Cubs this season and he is 3-3 with 1 save, a 2.95 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Guzman has learned how to pitch this season as he isn’t trying to whiff every batter. He has only allowed 41 hits in 61 innings this season for the Cubs showing how nasty he can be. The Cubs have to be ecstatic with Guzman’s improvement this season.

You can’t blame 33-year old lefty starting pitcher Ted Lilly for the Cubs season which has been a huge disappointment. Lilly has started 22 games this season for the Cubs and he is 9-8 with a 3.35 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Lilly has been aggressive in the strike zone this season as he has whiffed 118 batters while only walking 29 in 142 1/3 innings and that has benefitted him greatly. The Cubs need to start scoring some runs for Lilly who often gives them solid outings.

Forget Rick Vaughn in the Major League movies as Carlos Marmol is the real “Wild Thing”. He has to be causing Lou Piniella to lose quite a few hairs off his head when he’s pitching. Still, somehow he has remained effective despite his wildness. Marmol has pitched in 53 games for the Cubs this season and he is 2-1 with 3 saves, a 3.10 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Marmol has only allowed 26 hits while whiffing 58 batters in only 49 1/3 innings this season but that’s the good news. Marmol has hit 8 batters this season and walked 44 batters which makes his ERA and WHIP that more amazing. If Marmol could just throw strikes he would be the Cubs’ closer without a doubt. Until he improves his control the Cubs won’t trust him in that role.

26-year old righty rookie Randy Wells came out of nowhere to take over as the #5 starter for the Cubs. Wells has started 10 games for the Cubs this season and he is 3-3 with a 2.43 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. Wells’ pitching this season is one of the main reasons that the Cubs have stayed in contention in the National League Central.