The first game of the 2nd half of the baseball season seems a little bigger than just your average game. It’s like a 2nd opening day. It’s almost like a fresh slate; an opportunity to start your 2nd season off on the right foot. When it comes to this year’s edition of the Cubs, and the past couple years’ teams, reality bites.
The Diamondbacks are a team that should be beaten like a drum. With essentially the same record as the Cubs, this team is NOT very good. What a great team to start the 2nd half with. Here’s a chance to win a series on the road to get the 2nd half off to a positive start. Friday night was a game that the Cubs should have won, but it just wasn’t meant to be; it’s just not meant to be in another year with another mediocre team on the field.
Anthony Rizzo did his best to carry the team. His 2 towering home runs and 3 RBI’s gave the Cubs a lead that they found a way to blow. Sidekick Starlin didn’t do much, and after that it gets flat out scary. I didn’t see the whole game, but here was the slice of reality I was treated to in the top of the 9th.
First up was Luis Valbuena. I like Luis. He’s a grinder. He plays the game hard. He also should not be starting in the major leagues. Great guy to have in the clubhouse, and if there’s room on the roster, a nice guy to bring off the bench. This is probably the last season we see Luis, considering he plays third base. He had a nice AB, and hit the ball hard, as the RF Parra took a few steps back to make an easy catch. Next up was Justin Ruggiano. He has been hot. I didn’t mind this off-season pickup, but here’s another platoon outfielder at best currently starting on this Cubs team. Today, in this 9th inning, he drew a walk. Next up is the guy that should not be in the major leagues, period: Ryan Sweeney. Every time he steps to the plate… every time the Cubs give this guy another AB… I feel sick to my stomach. With the news of 2 more HR’s from Bryant and Baez in AAA, we’re stuck watching this reject come up to the plate in the 9th, instead of one of our young studs. As Ruggiano gets to third base on a SB plus throwing error, all Sweeney has to do is hit a fly ball. The first pitch after Ruggiano gets to third… the FIRST PITCH… he pops up. Damn. I have to think almost anybody on this Cubs roster should be playing over this guy. Finally, up steps Wellington Castillo. Mixed feelings on this guy. Is he our catcher of the future? I hope not. He strikes out on 3 straight pitches. So down one run in the 9th, and facing a crappy closer in Addison Reed (although I’m sure the Sox would like to still have him), we send up the murderer’s row lineup of Valbuena, Ruggiano, Sweeney, and Castillo. Just shoot me.
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How long will we have to see this? How long will we have to put up with this starting lineup full of backup and role players? The pitcher who was responsible for beginning to blow this lead was starter Edwin Jackson. I was OK when we picked him up 2.5 years ago. This will hopefully be the last year we have to watch this train wreck on the mound. I’d be OK with the Cubs flat out releasing him, and giving a young guy in the system a shot from here on out. When you’re given a lead with this lineup, you have to take advantage. He didn’t, and with a host of other pitchers in the 6th inning, the lead was blown for good.
I’m sick of watching a crappy team with a few bright stars sprinkled in. I want to see a good team with a few crappy guys sprinkled in. I want to see a lineup from top to bottom that puts fear in the opposing teams’ pitching staff. I want to have 4 quality starting pitchers, and keep them, with a 5th starter given a chance to make it. I want to see a Cubs team that has a chance to win every night out. The deck is stacked against us right now, in this most painful (and hopefully final) part of the rebuild. There is just not enough talent on the current major league team to win consistently. As I took in another slice of reality, the frustration boiled over. Welcome to the life of a Cubs fan…
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