Ted Lilly began the season with a terrific 6-inning performance against the Milwaukee Brewers. He allowed zero runs and three hits while walking just two batters and striking out a respectable four. This past weekend he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning against White Sox. His stat line had him throwing eight innings with one hit, one walk, and three strikeouts. These are the lone two wins for Lilly despite a 2.90 ERA and insane 1.00 WHIP.

Lilly is getting just 2.5 runs of support an appearance

My Sympathies Ted Lilly

Ted Lilly made SportsCenter Sunday as he and Gavin Floyd raced toward a mutual no-hitter. Ultimately they both fell short. Floyd surrendering a double, single, and run in the seventh inning. Lilly took his potential no-no two inning further, losing his bid in the ninth inning after a single by Juan Pierre.

I think the game proved an excellent allegory for his season so far. He has eight quality starts in 10 appearances and has a 2.90 ERA and absurd 1.00 WHIP, yet he has a meager 2-5 record. Similarly, he pitched wonderfully on Sunday, but fell just short of adding an accolade to his long career.

Two of those losses he deserves, just as he truly allowed that hit. But he should have far more wins and every Cub fans wanted to celebrate a no-hitter on the same day the Blackhawks brought the Stanley Cup to Wrigley Field (insert your joke about band wagon fans here). The Cubs have given him just 2.5 runs of support despite averaging 4.16 runs a game. Heck, call that an even four runs a game and give him that support and the Chicago is 7-3 when he starts instead of 4-6.

There is no telling what his record would be, but it would certainly by better than 2-5. Of course this is far less news to fans who have had Cubs tickets to any of his starts or been watching so far this season. The Cubs have looked quite bad so far this summer and players like Lilly have been the victims. Hopefully, this will all turn around soon.

I cannot help but believe Lilly’s flirting with a no-hitter gives this team hope, just as Marlon Byrd does along with rookie Tyler Colvin and imported-ace Carlos Silva.

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