Watching Wrigley Stands More Fun Than Watching Cubs Lose to Astros

COMMENTARY | I think reality is beginning to set in. The Chicago Cubs managed only one run in a 3-1 loss to the Houston Astros. This win completed a sweep of the Cubs by Houston and gave Chicago a terrible 3-6 record in this home stand. The Cubs now go on the road to play 10 very tough games.

Alex Ruppenthal has posted an article at MLB.com titled "Bats, 'pen can't get job in loss to Astros." Ruppenthal points out one weakness the Cubs have shown the last few games: their bullpen.

So far this year, the excuses for the Cubs have been injuries and cold and rainy weather. Wednesday was sunny and beautiful. In fact, my son was at the game -- I saw him on television. Unfortunately, the reason that I saw him was Sean Marshall had just started warming up because our starting pitcher, Doug Davis, was getting into trouble. My son was right behind the bullpen; when the television camera panned to Marshall, I saw him. I bring that up because it was the highlight of the game for me.

Sadly, Davis (0-4, ERA 5.95) took the loss. I say "sadly" because he pitched well; the best the Cubs' offense could do was give him one run in support. Davis has gotten better with each game of the four he has pitched for Chicago, and that takes away at least some of the "injury" excuse. Allowing only one run into the seventh inning is all a team can ask of a pitcher.

Even with the injuries that the Cubs have, they had enough firepower with such hitters as Starlin Castro and Carlos Pena to do some damage. They just didn't get the job done.

However, most observers would agree, I think, another reason the Cubs failed to win was the excellent pitching of Houston starter Brett Myers (2-4, ERA 4.82). He gave Chicago hitters very little to swing at directly over the plate.

The Astros came to Chicago one shy of winning 20 games. They leave with 22 wins. The Cubs are now 22-31, nine games under .500.

Bad luck continued to plague the Cubs as Aramis Ramirez was hit in the lip with a ground ball and had to leave the game to have stitches.

It's true we are just one-third of the way through the season. Still, things are going to have to change dramatically and soon if the Cubs are going to have a successful season.

References:

MLB.com Website, Alex Ruppenthal, "Bats, 'Ëœpen can't get job done in loss to Astros"

MLB.com Website, "Doug Davis' Statistics"

MLB.com Website, "Brett Myers' Statistics"