Cubs smoke Fish in Game 2
CHICAGO -- What a difference a game -- and some offense -- make.

Moises Alou and Aramis Ramirez hit back-to-back home runs to power a season-high 18-hit attack Friday and lead the Chicago Cubs to an 11-2 victory over the Florida Marlins and a split of their doubleheader.

In the opener, Cy Young candidate Carl Pavano (17-5) threw a seven-hit shutout and hit an RBI double in Florida's 7-0 win. Kerry Wood (7-7) took the loss and didn't get much support as the Cubs were blanked for the second straight game and made three errors.

Allow me a moment to question something- Game one, against one of the Marlins strongest pitchers, Dusty "rests" regulars Alou and Ramirez (and Grudzie, too, I think), knowing that in the second game the Marlins are starting an "A" ball pitcher? Why wouldn't you put your best offense in and let the back-ups face the kid, who ended up getting pounded anyway?

I don't get it. These games are critical. Why rest the best when you are facing the best?