For many Cubs fans the previous five games have not gone as planned. The timely hitting that Cubs fans had become accustomed to a few weeks back is now lost somewhere in the ivy covered walls of Wrigley Field.
At a time when the bats disappear, a ball club needs their pitching staff to pick them up and carry them. However, recently a few Chicago Cubs pitchers have been as clutch as they have needed to be.
Carlos Zambrano
Zambrano left Tuesday night's game against the Astros early, stating that he wasn't feeling good. This coming after his scheduled start on Sunday was pushed back to give him a few more days to rest. In his last five starts, Zambrano has a 1-1 record and 7.43 ERA. The remainder of the season for Zambrano is now one huge question mark and is one of concern for Cubs fans.
Rich Harden
Also on Tuesday the Cubs announced that they would skip Harden's next turn in the rotation to give him extra rest. He is now scheduled to start during next week's series in St. Louis. There is nothing said to be wrong with Harden. The Cubs' management had determined already to give him extra rest when they acquired him from Oakland.
What Happens Now
As a result of what has happened with Zambrano and Harden the Cubs are now relying on the back end of their rotation to carry them through the last month of the regular season. A rotation that seemed overpowering a few short weeks ago that featured Big Z - Dempster - Harden - Lilly - Marquis now seems to have a few cracks in it with question marks surrounding #1 and #3.
With 16 of the Cubs' final 22 games being on the road now is not the time to rest and jog home. The Cubs have six games remaining with both the Cardinals and the Brewers. A let down now could mean for a long September.
However, for the Cubs, Thursday's off day could not have come at a better time. The day off will allow the Cubs to head into their weekend series in Cincinnati against the depleted Reds with much needed rest as they begin the final push to October.
What will happen with Zambrano? Is Harden injured and we don't know? Both are good questions, but the Cubs have shown time and time again that they can come back from any deficit so I won't be one to count them out!
September call ups came at the right time for the Cubs, but they must remember with the Brew Crew lurking on the Cubs' heels, now is not the time for a letdown
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Can't Afford a Let Down Now
Posted by uisjmc mcnace at 6:32 PM
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ASSIGNMENT FOR TUESDAY--
Which team would you most want to see the Cubs face in the first round of the playoffs, and why?
Philadelphia
New York Mets
Los Angeles
Arizona
The Cubs are in trouble, period.
While they are going to make the playoffs, I can see them losing in the first round just as they did last year to the Diamondbacks.
I mean the Cubs have lost 7 of their last 8 games in a variety of ways.
They lost today by giving up 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th inning. Kerry Wood couldn't find the strike zone, and 2 errors in the 9th is unacceptable. Ronny Cedeno took his eye of the ball because he was so excited to run to 2nd base and try and turn the game ending double play...oops! he forgot the ball as it skidded into center field and 2 Reds scored. That's a 1st grade mistake right there.
Cubs better turn it around quick, or else it be another quick post season exit.
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