As the Chicago Cubs continue their fall from grace, a familiar statement is etched upon the walls of Wrigley Field. Except you can't see it because the ivy is covering it.
It says, "failed expectations," year 100 version.
This was supposed to be our year. Just like 1969 was supposed to be. And 1984. And 2003. Get the picture?
Well, it still can be our year, but things have got to start changing immediately and I just don't know how that is going to happen, given the trends.
First of all, the bullpen needs to improve and quickly. Yes, I know Kerry Wood is hurt, but a lot of the situations we're getting burned by are earlier in the game, before Woody would even be in the game.
Let's face it, Cub fans, this bullpen would try and use a wad of gum to stop a leak in the Titanic, for crying out loud.
It seems every time Bob Howry comes in, he gives up a run. Carlos Marmol got out of a jam yesterday but the old Marmol wouldn't have even gotten into that jam in the first place.
- B/R Ticket Guide
And yes, let's bring in the kid for his first ever major league appearance in a game situation, late and tied. Fit to be tied is how I'm feeling. Seems we've seen this plot before.
Lee and Ramirez, Ramirez and Lee. No matter how you slice it, those guys are not clutch hitters and both are prone to slumps that come in bunches. That's what we saw in last year's playoffs. And even when he's not slumping, Lee couldn't get a meaningful hit if you placed the ball on a tee for him.
Fukudome is starting to become a bust. OK, I said it, I went there. But hey, popularity isn't why I write. And the truth is simply that we have three more, very expensive years of a powerless corner outfielder who can't go anywhere.
Arghh.
What we do know is...
...that the Cubs can't win on the road. Check.
...they are only 3-3 in their last six home games. Check.
...the bullpen is a mess. Check.
...Soriano is back. Check. (Hey I may be a realist, but I'm not a fatalist)
...After two more home games, they travel to Milwaukee for a four game series against the second place (but perhaps soon to be first place) Brewers.
The Brewers want to win as badly as the Cubs. Which isn't fair, this is our year, dammit, so why can't all the other clubs just lay down and let us win this thing? Let them wait their turn. The poor Brewers haven't sniffed the playoffs since 1982? Well, boo f'ing hoo. You won't get any sympathy from a Cubs fan.
Oh well, at least Rich Harden goes for the Cubs on Saturday. Hopefully, he'll get his first win as a Cub. He'll be opposed by tall righthander Chris Volstad, who has pitched well in the first three starts of his career.
Strap it on, Cubs fans, it's a long season. Come to think of it, you might want to bring some newspaper to wrap the fish.
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4 months ago
Bobby, I think you are a little frustrated. Yes, the Cubs have been slumping. Yes, their lead is down to half a game.
I will say this, I think the middle of the season, is the best time to slump.
Remember last year? The Cubs started off horribly and had to fight for the entire season overtake the division. The Mets slumped horribly at the end of the season to lose their lead.
When you slump at the beginning you dig yourself a hole right off the bat. When you slump at the end, you have no time to regroup.
Incase you don't remember, it was Aramis Ramirez's clutch walk off home run against the Brewers that turned the season around in '07. I honestly don't believe it had to do with Barret and Zambrano's bout in the dugout.
Kosuke is yet to be determined. MLB is totally different and more demanding than what he is used to.
I am sad to say it brotha, but reading this article reminds me of reading one written by a Yankee fan amidst a bad season for them.
We still have the best record in the NL and have plenty of time to right the ship. Don't worry, support the boys, they still have the most talent.
from 4 months ago
I am frustrated. And watching this game on Saturday - it's great the way we keep coming back. But now we're struggling at home too.
4 months ago
I am concerned of recent play, but not as worried as you are, it is all apart of the ebb and flow of the season. I think the cubs ship will right itself before the season ends.
4 months ago
I think it's still too early to call Fukudome a bust (just as it was too early to call him a success/deserving All-Star a month and a half ago), but he's going to have to learn how to hit left-handed pitching if he wants to be a .300 hitter in the majors. The book is obviously out on him (if you're a lefty, throw him away, especially with breaking stuff) and he hasn't made an adjustment yet.
4 months ago
It could be worse Bob. Part of me is waiting for the other shoe to drop still. Harden is a ticking time bomb. Dempster, though he has been a starter, has worked out of the bullpen for a couple years, and his arm has got to be feeling it after pitching into the 8th and 9th inning constantly.
I lay part of out bullpen woes on our starters. While they are solid, no one outside of Dempster ever goes into the 7th on a regular basis. When you have to use 3 or 4 relief pitchers every night, the bullpen wears down.
We'll do better when the bats come back. Koske will break out of his slump, and Soriano will return to form. Maybe DeRosa will even bring his bat back. Playing outfield everyday has worn him out as well.
We'll come around, I think. It's just frustrating because we know we're better than we've played the last 3+ weeks or so.
4 months ago
Two things, first, our pitching has been terrific, the first 4 games of our trip, the bullpen was perfect, and aside from Zambrano's game in Houston, everyone has thrown quality starts. Marmol made it work yesterday, and he'll be fine.
Secondly, the offense slumped against Lincecum, and then sucked against Houston and Arizona. But today, against Johnson who had great stuff, we managed to get a ton of guys on base. Think back to that stretch where the Cubs loaded the bases at least once a game, for like 2 weeks straight. They didn't win every game, but they did win most of them.
Anyway, don't despair, give it time, you can't win every game, 6-4 is a 600 winning percentage, and Harden and Marquis will make it work.
We have the best quartet in baseball pitching against the Brewers, we can take 3 of 4.
4 months ago
I feel your pain Bob. Hopefully today Harden can shut down the fish. I will be at the game so I'll keep my eyes open for anything out of the ordinary (like a Ramirez base hit or a Fukudome home run, jk)
4 months ago
Any Cub fan is a little frustrated and a little worried, but its a long season and as long as they keep plugging away they will be fine. they will get there rythm back again. I rather see them struggle now and not in late september or even the playoffs. There have been a few tough losses the last couple weeks but they will get their swing back.
4 months ago
I know its way to early to call, but you have to like what you have seen out of Samardzija so far. If he can keep it up, he could become a solid contributor to yalls bullpen as you make a playoff push. Marmol is worrisome though, the drop he has made from the first half to now.
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