A four game win streak, followed by three straight losses, followed by three straight wins. Those are the last ten games that the Chicago Cubs have played. That has been the story of the season so far for this team, the lack of consistency, mainly on the offensive side. When the bats get going, the Cubs win. In games where they have scored five or more runs their record is 10-3. When they score less than five runs the Cubs are just 3-10. The bullpen has not helped in some of those low scoring one run losses, but these numbers show that if the offense can just put some runs on the board consistently they are going to win a lot of games because the pitching is there.
The Cubs took control of the game today in the first inning and never let up defeating the Diamondbacks 10-5. Alfonso Soriano had another monster game collecting four RBI’s on two, two run home runs. His batting average is now up to .325, and I for one am extremely surprised by how well he is performing right now. The past two seasons he generally looked old as well as seriously lacking confidence at the plate. He looked lost. But those days are behind him for now as he has now homered in three consecutive games.
The offense posted 33 runs during the four game series with Arizona, is it a sign that the bats are coming around to stay this time? With this team we are really just going to have to wait and see. The month of May should be very telling in terms of the direction of this team. Will they gain some consistency and compete with the Cardinals in the Central or will they continue to hover around .500. There is also Carlos Zambrano, the X-factor for this team. He is the new $19 million set up man and according to recent comments from Lou Piniella he will also serve as the backup closer. He has the ability to give the Cubs a big boost out of the bullpen, but will he do it? Tough to say right now.
The Cubs will get Monday off before starting a six game road trip that will take them through Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. A win on Tuesday would put them over .500 for the first time this season.
