Dismal Production From Lineup, Cubs Get Swept By Sox

Photo by Associated Press

The atmosphere became Unwrigley-like today against cross-town rivals the White Sox in Interleague Play. Nothing developed with the offense as the Cubs lost 6-0 behind a tough pitching showcase by Jake Peavy. Only 5 hits total mounted by the Cubs! This contest wasn't worth watching (the 2012 club has yet to give fans a reason to cheer much). Paul Maholm(4-3)left many in the crowd at Wrigley speechless. He went 6.1 innings to allow 5 earned runs on 9 hits with no walks. Yes, one game to truly want to forget. Starlin Castro and the boys in blue failed to produce any real offense. This has to sting a bit for the Cubs who just hit their 6th straight loss. Optimism won't be enough to fuel the club until the half-way point in the season. Nothing seems to be working right on consistent basis, bench-hitting, outfield rotation, call-ups from Triple-A, decisions on the base paths just name it.

At 15-26 the problems grow for the Cubs. They don't have the veteran leadership or the power in the lineup to make comebacks often. A struggle to reach at least 4th place right now is SERIOUS with no insults being made here. Theo Epstein is the new guy in Wrigley with the power to make all the top decisions so good trades have to be made sooner than later. If he can piece together a contender like so in Boston than it's time to make history positive again in Chicago for once again a uncertain, struggling franchise. The best which can be noted in the recent week is the Kerry Wood strikeout in relief and his farewell (giving a curtain call to a near sell-out home crowd). He pitched with dominance in his early career and led the Cubs to the playoffs twice. Finished out his career with a positive stride while performing at a lesser control level as a reliever. Yet he as a player with his talent will be missed.

As for the present time the Cubs don't want to put their season on ice and let everything falter around them. Their goal needs to be to keep working on hitting techniques to prove they can sustain the bad and avoid the real ugly games to get back within .500 ball. The NL Central is shaping up to be a toss up so far. For now the Cubs have to play with intensity and earn runs (average 3-4 per game) truly on offense and pray the starters stay healthy and effective for the best overall results. This club looks to snap the losing streak with new life in the lineup against the upcoming series with the Astros and Pirates.