Chicago Sees Big Win; Won't Be Enough to Turn Tide of Season

COMMENTARY | The Chicago Cubs did something Sunday they haven't done all year: They swept a three-game series by beating the Houston Astros 5-4. It was an exciting game, going 10 innings before Chicago could pull it out. Still, it leaves the Cubs with a 42-60 record with just 60 games to play.

Samuel Zuba has posted an article at MLB.com titled "Baker's walk-off gives Cubs first three-game sweep."

In the event you are reading this article in preparation for a date with a man or woman who is a Cubs fanatic and you do not know what a "walk-off" is, allow me to tell you: It is a hit that wins a game. In this case a player, Jeff Baker, hit a single that scored Marlin Byrd so the teams could "walk off" the field.

Highlights for the Cubs included the pitching of Matt Garza. Garza has gotten stronger with each outing. This game he donated seven strong innings. And the hitting wasn't bad.

Unfortunately, the negatives included the bullpen. Pitcher Jeff Samardija gave up two runs to take the victory away from Garza.

Since the season began, I have been writing about the Cubs' pitching woes regarding their starters. However, as the season has progressed we have seen that, given the lack of effectiveness of the bullpen, it really wouldn't have mattered -- the relievers haven't been able to hold leads anyway.

Of course, the Cubs are feeling pretty good about themselves after the win and sweep. What does the future hold?

If the Cubs are going to contend for their division then they are going to have to "come up to the plate." The pun is intended.

Starting Tuesday, Chicago will play three games with Milwaukee, three games with St. Louis and four games with Pittsburgh. Currently these three teams are tied for first place. The Cubs could make some gains. They are currently 11 ½ games behind them. Once again they only have 60 games for the season; these games represent one-sixth of those remaining.

I don't believe the Cubs can play the type of consistent baseball necessary to put the winning streaks together to overcome these types of numbers like "11 ½ games back."

We won't have to wait long to see if they can continue their current winning ways.

Reference:

MLB.com Website, Samuel Zuba, "Baker's walk-off gives Cubs first three-game sweep"