Cubs Split, Gain Tie for First

It is some measure of the mediocrity of this division, accurately predicted in these pages, that despite some decidedly ordinary play and despite losing at least three or four games they should have easily won, the Cubs find themselves in a four way tie for first place in the NL Central.

I suppose there is both a good and a bad side to this development in that it demonstrates both what might have been achieved by just a few good bounces and solid decisions and that despite some injury setbacks and slowish starts, the team is still competitive.

Anyway, the Cubs continued to get good pitching yesterday except from Russell who really is over-matched right now as a starting pitcher. The Cubs are going to have to find someone else to pick up these starts as Wells is probably two to three weeks from returning to the rotation and Cashner is likely another week or two off from that. Cashner's return is not such a worry because it looks like Coleman can keep them in the games he starts and actually do pretty well.

Garza finally pitched a decent game, admittedly under pitcher's conditions on Wednesday. The Cubs continued their struggles to score runs against good right-handed pitchers with solid stuff who change speeds. They left a ton of guys on base until Reed Johnson ended the day with an unexpected home run to lead off the tenth inning.

Samardzija has pitched reasonably well over his last three appearances, though he is painful to watch even when he gets outs. They should definitely not turn to this guy as a spot starter. On the other hand, there is not much at AAA to get very excited about.

In the nightcap, Johnson again provided some pop, but unfortunately was caught up by an excess of enthusiasm after hitting a run scoring double and got himself thrown out at third base trying to stretch it to a triple. The base-running gaffe cost the Cubs a chance in the game as it was followed by consecutive solid hits by Baker, Fukudome, and Barney. I was listening to part of the game on radio and Keith Moreland would not give this up, returning again and again to how dumb the play was and what was he thinking, etc. This was Moreland's inning to do play-by-play. It was kind of refreshing to hear someone call it that way. I wonder how long it will last until somebody in the front office tells him to cut it out.

I liked the Cubs lineup in the second game with the exception of Johnson's start in center, which I rather thought given the Padres right-handed pitching both among starters and relievers ought to have gone to Colvin. Quade should give this alignment a chance over a couple of games even though Castro had a bad day at the plate and on defense. It ought to produce runs in the long run and at least it gives the Cubs professional at-bats really one through five.