Piniella Calling Out Cubs

Lou is finally taking a hard stand.

The skipper was quick to point out the in the post game press conference that his team is playing poorly, period.

Despite the Cubs sub .500 record this season, we haven’t heard Lou get this critical publicly about his players all year.

I think the tough love is long overdue, but at least Lou is saying something other than “what can I do?”

Obviously, Chicago needs a fire lit under their rear ends, and it’s Lou’s responsibility to light the torch.

The Cubs have as many wins (35) as the always pathetic Pirates, and they’re also in jeopardy of dropping into fifth place below Houston.

First place Milwaukee is sure to add reinforcements by the trading deadline, and the Cards have already added Mark DeRosa.

What are the Cubs going to do to keep up when batting 0-for-the century with RISP won’t cut it?

Right now the Cubs’ problems can’t be solved alone with the return of Aramis Ramirez.

The clubhouse is becoming fractured, the defense is leaky and the starting pitching must be growing tiered of wasted quality starts.

Now’s the time for Lou to earn his money. Get this team going before it’s too late.

• The Cubs (35-37) are in fourth place.

• W: Danks (6-6) L: Zambrano (4-3)

• Chicago is 1-6 on its 10-game road trip.

• Overall, they’re 14-24 away from Wrigley Field, including a 4-9-1 road series mark.

• Milton Bradley is 1-for-16 on the road trip; Fukudome is 5-for-26.