Reds Down Cubs in First Meeting, 5-4

The Cubs are doing what they didn't do at the end of last year -- losing, not getting key hits. Chicago fell to the ever-troublesome Cincinnati Reds in their series opener, 5-4. It was a stereotypical Cubs' loss and that is not a good sign.

Carrie Muskat has posted an article at the MLB.com website titled "Clutch hits elude Cubs as they fall in opener." The key to this game was that the Cubs had 12 guys on base and were only able to muster two hits at this most important time.

Cubs manager Mike Quade is not lacking for confidence. He is quoted in Muskat's article as saying, "We'll get hot and start driving some people in." Despite taking his fourth loss Matt Garza echoed Quade's confidence by adding, "We're going to kick it in high gear and it's going to be fun to watch."

That the Cubs have the hitting capability there is no doubt. Unfortunately historically the problems have come from timing. A good hitter might get a double to lead off an inning and die there for lack of a follow-up hit.

Going back to last fall the reason that Mike Quade was given the job of Manager was that he got the players doing the "little things" like driving in runs to win games.

The Cubs continue to struggle with their starti8ng pitching due to the injuries to Andrew Cashner and Randy Wells.
The Cubs will face the Reds again today. Pitching for them will be Casey Coleman, (1-2, 7.36 ERA). He will be going up against the Reds' Bronson Arroyo, (3-3, 4.17 ERA).

Casey Coleman is at this time considered the "fourth starter" in the Cubs' pitching rotation. Jeff Baker was given the opportunity to get the fifth spot but has not pitched well and as a result Mike Quade is still searching for the right guy.

While the weather has been pretty bad at Wrigley Field the Cubs are playing in the same conditions as their opponents and they have been out muscled 18-9 when it comes to home runs.

Hopefully today they will be able to turn the tide. We don't want a repeat of last year where Cincy took 12 of 16 games.

References:
MLB.com Website, "Bronson Arroyo Statistics"

MLB.com Website, Carrie Muskat, "Clutch hits elude Cubs as they fall in opener"

MLB.com Website, "Casey Coleman Statistics"