Moody Bats

Even though they don't get any days off on weekends, the Cubs appear to enjoy sitting back and hitting over those series for the past two weeks.  After Kosuke Fukudome's first career grand slam represented the only hope in a 13-5 blowout loss on Thursday, the Cubs rebounded with three really solid wins over the weekend against the scuffling DBacks.  Alfonso Soriano got on one of his famous tears not seen since last May and contributed each day to the 11-5, 7-5, and 10-5 final scores with at least a homer in each game.  The pitching wasn't exactly great, but good and when the offense is hitting like they had then it isn't as important.  Doing what needs to be done to win is the most important thing.  If we give up 9 runs in a game, the assumption is that was a failure.  If the Cubs score 10 in that game and win, though, it's a success although obviously more must be done by the pitchers.  The Cubs did that this weekend.  The bottom line: Despite not playing perfect baseball (see: Milwaukee Massacre), the Cubs are doing plenty to win games and enough to sustain their methods all season.

Well, the Cubs just have to go out and play so well in front of the home fans only to take a day off and then just score two against the lowly Pirates at PNC Park.  I don't know when the bats will decide to stick around permanently, but it's clear that the way the Cubs play ball requires offense.  Home runs by Soriano and Geovany Soto were our only offense and that just isn't acceptable.  Mike Fontenot, most overrated player on the Cubs (don't worry, you'll be hearing more about him later) struck out to begin the 9th and the Cubs failed to create a rally.  Another good outing by Ryan Dempster was wasted and apparently he was outdueled by consistent old Paul Maholm.  Charlie Morton, starter for Wednesday's game, is a ticking bomb every inning out there because it's only a matter of time until the opponent's hitters clobber baseballs that look fatter than a beach ball out there.  Ted Lilly is on for us.

Coming soon are posts about Marlon Byrd (Wrigleyville's new spark plug) and why it's time to jump on the surprise bandwagon of the year: the Washington Nationals.  Go Cubs!