Cubs Lose Eighth Straight Game; Turnaround Unlikely

COMMENTARY | The Chicago Cubs lost their eighth straight game by falling to the Cincinnati Reds 8-2. The Cubs have looked miserable over these games, despite what is being said in the dugout.

Carrie Muskat has posted an article at the MLB.com website titled "Cubs' losing streak reaches eight games."

It's been easy to see this coming. The Cubs finished last year with a strong record of 24-13, despite having a losing season. Part of the reason this occurred was the pressure was off. Now the pressure of competition is on, and it is making a difference.

In addition to that, the Cubs have been battling injuries, some of which have been accrued by starting pitchers.

It would be unfair to leave the situation at the foot of "injuries," though.

The starting pitchers the Cubs do have are losing. Why? There are a number of reasons, but two are primary.

As Muskat reports, during the Cubs' eight-game losing streak, they have been outscored 52-22 by the opposition. While it includes tough teams like St. Louis, it also includes teams the Cubs should have beaten, like the Houston Astros.

The second key to the losing streak is the bullpen. They have not been able to hold a lead.

So, basically, the Cubs have been fighting a "Catch-22." If their starting pitcher does poorly or the offense scores no runs to support him, the Cubs lose. If the Cubs score enough runs to support the pitcher and/or he does well, the Cubs' bullpen has not been able to hold the lead.

That is what caused the blow-up from starter Carlos Zambrano.

While that type of thing should not be allowed, that is what occurs when a team is playing as poorly as the Cubs are. It causes tension and frustration.

The other thing it spawns is poor defense. A fielder who knows that his team is out of the game will not be as "aware."

Unfortunately, the Cubs are not done with their current challenge. They have one more game with the Reds and then they travel to Philadelphia to play four games with the first-place Phillies.

If Chicago doesn't end up with a 13-game losing streak, the team will have achieved something.

References:

MLB.com Website, Carrie Muskat, "Cubs losing streak reaches eight games"