When the schedule was first released, Lou Piniella knew that it was possible for his team to get off to a slow start. With back-to-back series on the road against vastly improved teams in Atlanta and Cincinnati followed by a visit from the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cubs had one of the toughest opening stretches in the league. Those fears have become a reality as the Cubs stumbled through the opening week with a 2-4 record.
The two major culprits have been a general lack of hitting, as well as issues in the backend of the bullpen. Through one week of action, the Cubs are last in the NL in batting average (.204) and second to last in the major leagues with only the rival White Sox having a lower average (.186.) Every position player who is a regular starter is batting under .200 with the exception of Fukudome, Lee, and Fontenot. This lack of offense combined with a struggling bullpen is a sure recipe for late inning losses. It does not matter how good the starting pitching is if you don’t have what it takes to finish games. Both John Grabow and Esmailin Caridad, two guys that the Cubs are counting on to hold down the back of the bullpen are off to conspicuous starts.
With the struggles of these two units, some questionable managerial decisions, (taking Sean Marshall out a game twice only to see his replacement give away the lead both times) and some very untimely defense (looking at you Soriano…) it has been a tough opening week. However, the team will now return to Chicago for their home opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. The three game series will run through Thursday before the currently winless Houston Astros come to town for a three game set. It should be an interesting week as the Cubs try to avoid putting themselves in an early hole in the divisional race.
