After watching the Chicago Cubs sputter out to a 4-5 record, I have already come to a conclusion: this is going to be a long summer.
Through nine games, the pitching is not dominant and the offense remains dormant, especially with runners in scoring position.
The magic of two N.L. Central division titles is long gone and it shows in the stands of Wrigley Field. This season, the Cubs have recorded just one sellout (opening day) and had less than 27,000 fans two straight games.
The actual number of fans at the game was much less than the paid attendance. But can you blame the fans?
Who wants to see a bad team play the Arizona Diamondbacks in 40 degree weather? The answer: only about 13,000 fans that actually made it on a Tuesday afternoon.
Mike Quade and the Cubs are getting frustrated already.
This season has disaster written all over it.
One stat that really jumps out to me is the fact that in nine games, the Cubs have not stolen a single base.
That is unacceptable.
Quade says that it is because the Cubs do not have speed, but they are still a professional baseball team.
This is a team that is making excuses for poor play.
Games are being blown late and hitting is non-existent at critical times. But I am a Cubs fan. Therefore, I know that they will turn the season around.
Ok, that may not be true. But as an optimist, I had to put it in there. Honestly, it is not too late to turn this train wreck around.
But improvements on and off the field must begin immediately. Quade needs to take control of his team and put pitchers in late-game situations that can actually get the job done and hold the lead.
Also, the lineup must be tweaked. If Aramis Ramirez is not hitting, drop him out of the No. 4 spot. If Alfonso Soriano can’t hit or run, sit him on the bench.
The Cubs need to realize that even though Ramirez and Soriano make a lot of money, they still need to produce to see playing time. The Cubs are only a year or two away from being a real competitor in the N.L.
But they need one more player to put them over the top. Once they acquire him, and hopefully pick up Albert Pujols, the Cubs will be the team to beat.
But first, I have to endure this torturous summer known as Cubs baseball.
