The Cubs continue to play tight games. After Monday's loss to the Nationals, they managed to split the remaining games on the home stand. The Nationals series was really a strange one in which almost every run from either side was scored as a result of a home run. The same process continued on Friday until the Cubs collapsed completely on defense in a game they might have won. They managed to right the ship Sunday, winning 2-1 in eleven innings against the Royals. I'll give you this, the Cubs are genuinely in every game they play. At least they are interesting.
The biggest weakness so far is the inconsistency of the bullpen, which is exacerbated by having to carry two starting pitchers, Wood and Jackson, who are not very good at starting games and also not especially suited to relief. This, of course, weakens the bench, which is not exactly a strong point either in the absence of Denorfia and LaStella due to injuries. Word is the Cubs will pursue Ben Zobrist, a sort of super-sub, if Oakland makes him available. This makes sense short-term. Long-term, if they are still in it, I kind of think they will make a run at Hamels or another dominant starter near the trade deadline or sooner. Wada has been good, but the Cubs do not seem to trust him beyond five innings in tight games, which, of course, is all they seem to play these days.
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