More Frustration

Since my last post, the Cubs have come from behind 8-0 to post an incredible 10-9 victory over the Nationals, and then just completely blow a game they had in hand to the Pirates. Hard to figure this team out.

I guess the real issue is that as the team gets a little bit healthier, they are starting to play tight games they have a chance to win. Part of the improvement is that they are finally starting to get power and production from the corner infielders. Of course, the contrary thought is that as they get that power, they only seem to score runs on home runs, generally from either Pena or Ramirez, and they do not build innings and score in bunches unless it is by the homer run.

Usually they wind up losing more often than they win, either as a result of careless, sloppy play, bad situational hitting with men on base, managerial error, or some combination of two or three of the above.

Last night it was careless, sloppy play on the part of Starlin Castro. Now Castro is a rare talent, but he is also a hard case. They are right to move him up to second in the lineup. Third is too much pressure for an already overly aggressive hitter. I rather think he will eventually learn the strike zone with two strikes (assuming he ever allows himself to get to two strikes), but his fielding lapses are not getting any better.

It is always a challenge to teach a player to play within himself. I hope the Cubs coaching staff is up to the challenge. So far they have few tangible results to show for their efforts. Last night's relay throw to complete an easy double play and escape the 8th inning with a 4-3 lead cost them the game.

Quade doesn't help much with his bullpen management. He cannot use Marshall every single day, nor can he keep going to Marmol to deliver two inning saves every day. Last night Marmol's slider was flat. Somebody might have noticed this when he was warming up, but if they did they failed to tell Soto about it. End result: what amounts to a humiliating defeat.

Are the Cubs close to being a competitive team, then? Or are they just kidding themselves? I'll consider that topic in my next longish post, probably during the All-Star break.