Come to Think of It...Cubs Have Their "Phil"

Too much Cole Hamels? Sure, it would be easy to blame Cole Hamels. But I'm pretty sure it isn't just Hamels.

Yep, the Cubs ran into a good pitcher on Saturday night. But if you look at the early trend, and yes it is still very early, one thing is becoming clear.

The Cubs aren't good enough to consistently beat good teams.

Oh, teams like the Pirates are no problem. The Cubs can beat them most nights.

But play a team like the Brewers or Phillies and they just won't come out on top consistently.

Which sounds like last year. And, if it holds true, will mean the team is good enough to compete in the NL Central, but not good enough to win in the playoffs.

And isn't taking the next step and winning beyond the division what it's supposed to be all about? 

I mean, Sweet Lou ain't getting any younger.

And the 100-year losing thing is upon us. So another division title and first round playoff loss just won't cut it. Not this year.

I warned everyone when Fukudome was Jim Hendry's only move of any significance in the offseason that the Cubs needed more in order to be competitive beyond the division.

Alas, no leadoff hitter. No center fielder. No experienced closer. And no pitching depth.

It's clear that Ted Lilly, a career mediocre pitcher before last year, has come back to earth. In fact, he stinks right now. We expected a drop-off, but not this much.

And beyond Lilly and Carlos Zambrano, what sure thing do the Cubs have in their rotation?

They're probably looking at replacing Rich Hill in the rotation with Jon Lieber at some point, assuming Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis pitch well enough to beat the odds and stay in the rotation.

Aside from the pitching staff, Aramis Ramirez is regressing back to his lazy, uncaring ways. He is back to playing bad defense, and running the bases as if in a fog.

How many times has this guy hit balls that were not home runs, yet caused Ramirez to go into a home run trot?

And Alfonso Soriano is lost at the plate. Completely lost. And he isn't a threat on the bases any more. In fact, Saturday night he hit a single and didn't even try to take second when the throw got away from the catcher. 

Mike Fontenot should be playing second every day. He hits the ball and adds some life to the Cubs offense.

And if the Brewers keep getting healthy starts from Ben Sheets, watch out. He's always been good, just could never stay healthy.

Thank God there are teams like the Pirates out there so the Cubs can continue to fool their fans into thinking they have a chance to win a World Series.

Come to think of it, being competitive is probably enough for the Cubs. Who needs to win it all when you fill the stands every game, win or lose?