Out of all places… Colorado? To the Rockies? Saturday made it back to back games. First to an 8th inning go ahead grand slam, then to a game tying home run in the 9th and loss in the 10th. It’s not just that the Cubs are showing themselves out of the race for the wild card spot, it’s the way they’re doing it. I guess you could say those chances are “on the rocks”…
We’ve seen this movie before, and no, I don’t have to go back in the memory banks and remember all those seasons where the Cubs stumbled in September; there have been many. All we have to do is think back to last year. This year is turning out to be a carbon copy of last year. The thing about last year, is we didn’t expect much from the Cubs… at least I didn’t. It was a low expectation season; I was happily surprised. Of course, the Cubs got me excited enough just in time to watch them collapse in September. But OK, I wasn’t devastated; the Cubs showed me something last year. Now, this year, we were primed to take the next step. Hiring Counsell in the offseason told me my instincts were correct; now who will we be adding to the squad to help take us to that next step. The answer was Shota. I love Shota; we really lucked out with him. The Cubs did not add anybody else of note. So outside of Shota, and of course our new manager who was considered one of the best in the majors, who by the way, never steps in the batter’s box himself, we were happy with running it back… We’ve seen this movie before too; please reference the AK Chicago Bulls. And here’s a spoiler alert: it doesn’t work.
I started this year off disappointed with the lack of effort shown by the Cubs front office… again. Are we still carrying J-Hey’s contract? Everybody else from 2016 is gone, except Kyle; what’s the problem? They gave us our one title, and now, they’re done… basically. We’re not quite in “Reinsdorf” mode yet, but… certainly feels like building the best team possible with the means that the Cubs have is NOT a priority. It’s not all lost of course. The Cubs have had a decent season. Maybe I’m being unfair. The Cubs do have the 7th larger payroll in the majors. Teams 1-6… all look to be in the postseason. I guess it’s lucky #7???
The Cubs got hot in August, again… red hot on the road too. After taking 2 of 3 from the mighty Dodgers, we lose the first 2 to the Rockies… the MF Rockies!!! It’s unacceptable. After losing these two, honestly, we don’t deserve to be in the postseason; too harsh? I love my Cubs… always will. Am I still bitter from the blow up of the World Series team? Maybe. More likely, since “that team” lost to the Marlins in the 2020 Wild Card, their 5th playoff appearance in 6 years, the Cubs haven’t been back in the postseason. 2024 will make the 4th straight year of watching other teams play when it matters. Talk to me. Go Cubs…
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