Winning and Losing in Chicago

June 28, 2018

On any given day your team can win or lose. For the most part, every team wins 60 and loses 60. It’s what you do in the other 40 that counts. Every year you have exceptions to this old adage. This year the Orioles, Royals and White Sox are all poised lose 100 games.

Since my last post, the Cubs got swept by the juggernaut Cincinnati Reds. A team with World Series aspirations should not lose 4 in a row to a team 13 games under .500. It wasn’t so much losing the games as it was how ugly they were. Home runs including a grand slam to pitchers. Blowing late leads, giving up seven runs the seventh inning of game 4. Is there an explanation?

Aside from Lester most Cub starters are not getting past the 6^th inning. This puts a lot of pressure on relief pitchers arms. Worn out pitchers get hit and give up runs. As good as Pedro Strop has been he got lit up in Cincinnati. What happened to Kyle Hendricks?

I’ve always thought that injuries can devastate a good team. Happens every year. Therefore, no matter how good Baez has been they still need Kris Bryant. This is especially true with Rizzo struggling. They also need their top set-up man, Edwards, and closer Morrow to get healthy.

The Cubs redeemed themselves, splitting 4 games with the Dodgers. The Cubs have lost 6 of their last eight games and only lost a ½ game in the standings. Thank god for the lousy Central Division.

People have told me I’m too negative regarding the White Sox. After splitting with Oakland and taking 2 of 3 from Minnesota, I’m upgrading from 5 to just bad, bad, bad.

Staying positive General Manager Rick Hahn made his best move, getting rid of Trayce Thompson. Speaking of bad hitting outfielders, Engel is getting less playing time now that Avisail Garcia is back from injury. Lucas Giolito has looked great in his last 3 starts. Carlos Rodon had his best outing since coming back with 8 strong innings of two run ball. Throw in a good Dylan Covey and Reynaldo Lopez and you have 4 of 5 starters for the rebuild. You also have a couple of stud guys in the minors who can be a fifth starter.

I look at the product on the field and it makes me sad. It seems they are so far away from being competitive. If the pitching doesn’t come through you’re going to continue to lose not only now, but next year as well. They have some good young talent that won’t be ready for a while. My problem is whether ready or not they are better than who’s playing now? Play a team that has a better chance of winning. Some prospects are ready. Those that are hurt should get a little seasoning and brought up. They can’t do any worse and would be much more fun watching.