Forget the fact Paul Maholm (4-5) is winless over his last five starts.
It’s not the victories the Cubs need most from Maholm. It’s innings logged that’s crucial from their lone left-handed starter.
With the Cubs weakest link its bullpen, it’s imperative the starters last long enough to shorten the game for the pen.
Maholm, unfortunately, simply isn’t getting the job done.
Soriano doubles to ‘Triples-Alley’. Classic
#Cubs
— Bullpen Brian (@bullpenbrian) June 3, 2012
“The Munsters and The Adams Family were the same thing!” – Ron Santo #Cubs
— dswing (@dswing) June 3, 2012
Telling my niece she can’t put ketchup on her hot dog while wearing a #Cubs shirt.
— Margo Schleef (@WalkingOnFull) June 4, 2012
GoodLord. Come on #Cubs
— Brie ⚓ (@bheckaman) June 3, 2012
Much to the chagrin of many Cubs fans, we’re finally seeing the true limits of Tony Campana’s abilities as a major league player.
Since a blistering start to the season when Campana finished the month of April hitting .370 with a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen bases, his average has plummeted 93-points during the last 30-games with 11 steals and three caught stealing.
I had my concerns with Darwin Barney’s stamina heading into the season.
After hitting well over .300 during the season’s first half in 2011, Barney slumped terribly in late August through the finish line hitting .208 over the final 30 games.
It seemed the rigors of a full major league season and advanced scouting took its toll on the young rookie second baseman in his 143 games played.
After a slow start this year, Barney has bounced back to being a productive hitter, especially lately.
Starlin Castro says he feels awful about his mental lapse during Monday’s loss at San Francisco when he lost awareness of how many outs the Cubs had in the fifth inning.
‘‘I want to say I’m sorry to my teammates and it will never happen again,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m real embarrassed. There’s no excuse for that. That can’t happen in a game. That will never happen again.’’
Here’s the troubling part. The above quote from Castro wasn’t from Monday’s post-game.
The chart below details the results of 10 recent Cubs games. See the common thread?
|
at Brewers |
7-8 |
|
at Cardinals |
6-7 |
|
Phillies |
7-8 |
|
White Sox |
2-3 |
|
at Astros |
1-2 |
|
at Pirates |
0-1 |
|
at Pirates |
2-3 |
|
at Giants |
3-4 |
|
at Giants |
1-2 |
|
at Giants |
2-3 |
He’s reached base safely in 13 of last 15 starts.
Is hitting higher off RHP (.292) than LHP (.212).
Has drawn 6 walks.
Switched jersey No. this offseason.
Current jersey No. last worn by coach Alan Trammell.
Name that Cub! (Answer after the jump)
Welcome to Fox Saturday Baseball. I’m Dick Stockton.
Here’s the starting lineup for the Chicago Cubs:
The Cubs have scored more runs in the ninth inning than any other frame this season.
It happened again Friday night when Alfonso Soriano hit a three-run shot in the top of the ninth to pull the Cubs within one-run of the Giants.
But as has been the case for much of the season, it was too little, too late with San Francisco holding on for a 4-3 victory. (Continued after the jump)
|
Inning |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
x-I |
Total |
|
Cubs |
23 |
13 |
18 |
26 |
16 |
13 |
19 |
21 |
37 |
2 |
188 |
|
OPPS |
32 |
18 |
31 |
23 |
24 |
31 |
19 |
36 |
19 |
2 |
235 |
