The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

So, we are two months into baseball season.  I can’t wait for summer (I’m ready for warmer weather), but given the way things are going, I’m really looking forward to football season…

But let’s take stock of the Cubs to date.

Good:  There are a few things to like about this season.  Really.  There are.  In no particular order:
1.  Afternoon games at Wrigley.  Because there’s nothing like leaving the office to enjoy a game at Wrigley.  Even if it’s a bit chillier than expected/hoped.
2.  Starting pitching.  Randy Wells has done well, despite his record.  And in general, the starters have done their job, which is to keep the Cubs in position to win.  Lilly has battled and Dempster has hung in there. Oh, and I was at the game where Z went off on the ump.  I don’t blame him for being unhappy with the call, and that was fun to watch!
3.  AAA callups.  Bobby Scales is a great story, and Jake Fox has been a good callup, too.  Guys like that remind me that this really is a game, and there’s lots of passion there. 

Bad:  So we’ve seen some things that haven’t been so great this season, too.
1. Offense.  Note to the Cubs: The thing you hold in your hands when you go up to the plate that looks kind of like a stick?  The idea is to use that to HIT the small white object that is flying toward you.  And then run to 1st base.
2. Small ball.  Lou may not be a “small ball” manager, but all teams know that once you have men on, especially in scoring position, you need to score the run.  That’s been a huge challenge this season.  I don’t have the courage to check the stats for men left in scoring position.
3. Off-season moves.  See TheWittyOne’s comments below.  I really can’t add anything more.

Ugly: And some things have been downright painful.
1. Road games.  The Cubs just can’t seem to get it together on the road.  Case in point: No road wins between May 10 and June 3.  And that wasn’t because they played at Wrigley the whole time.
2. Injuries.  Aramis Ramirez, Rich Hardin, Milton Bradley, Aaron Miles, Carlos Zambrano, etc., etc., etc.  The list has been long.  In fact, this may be one of the most consistent areas of the team.
3. The bullpen.  It’s not reliable.  Confidence in the closer is low.  And though they have had their days, even the good ones (Marmol) seem to like to put men on base.  Especially with walks.  That hurts.

The Cubbies haven’t held my attention well so far this season, and they have to pick it up if they want to hang nera the top of the division.  And so, I’ll look forward to college footbal…