Difference Between Cubs & Cards

There’s a reoccurring theme between the Cubs & Cardinals.

It has nothing to do with any rivalry, but everything to do with defining the success of St. Louis and the drudgery of Chicago.

The St. Louis Cardinals always find a way. They’ve done it successfully for years, this season being no exception.

Just consider that St.Louis lost Adam Wainwright before the season. Shortly after, they lost starting second baseman, Skip Schumaker, followed by starting third baseman, David Freese.

If that wasn’t enough, the Opening Day closer, Ryan Franklin, was bombed so hard even the well-mannered hometown crowd booed him off the field and into the dog house.

The rest of the bullpen stinks as much and, even Tony La Russa can’t escape the plight–he’s sidelined with Shingles.

You compound all this with a winless Chris Carpenter heading into Tuesday’s game and tell me how in the heck St. Louis is a first place team?

Given all the setbacks you wouldn’t expect much from these guys, right?

But as always, St.Louis is back atop the division. They hit with RISP, they get timely outs…they find a way.

The Cubs also find a way…to lose. Chicago has equal, if not greater talent, on its roster than St. Louis. But to no avail…no timely hits, no timely outs, no will to win against its fiercest rival.

I know, we’ve heard it all before, Cubs fans. The Cards are great. The Cubs stink. But the simple truth remains…the Cards find a way where Chicago doesn’t.

It pains me to say it as much as it pains me to watch it. The Cubs haven’t not just found a way…they’ve seemingly lost it, as well.

Low Temps Bring Low Attendance

I walked past Wrigley this evening and thought: my gosh, what a beautiful night for baseball–67-degrees, light breeze, a deep red sunset over left field.

That thought, of course, is the first of its kind during this Chicago spring. A spring in which, mind you, a good day means temperatures above 40-degrees and scattered showers opposed to thunderstorms.

Granted, we didn’t suffer through the wrath of our neighbors to the south in Alabama and Mississippi, but in baseball terms, our Chicago spring has been nothing short of dreadful.

However, be it for just 24-hours, it truly felt like May weather today. The temperature reached 90-degrees by afternoon marking the earliest date the city has reached 90 in 31 years. I’d say we were due…like the Cubs with men on base…only Mother Nature actually delivers.