So I was initially going to try to make this a weekly Cubs sort of column (kind of like what I do with the Bears/NFL), and everytime I think to type it up, I forget, and then big things happen with the Cubs, and then new big things, and then the original stuff I was going to say is suddenly no longer relevant.

And I don’t have a whole ton of time right now, but I am still planning on making this some sort of weekly column.  So with a lack of time, I will just have a quick emotional rant.

Our bullpen sucks.  Seriously.  The Brewers have basically gifted us the division in the last couple weeks, and we’ve had more than a fair share to take control of the division, and instead we have loss after loss caused by the bullpen.  If the bullpen was even average, we would be above 500 right now, instead of 6 games below.  It’s getting ridiculous.  I don’t know how many more times I can see Bobby Howry or Scott Eyre blow a game before I lose it.  (Andrew, you warned me about them and I didn’t listen)

And the thing is this division is still winnable.  The Brewers were virtually begging the Cubs to be in first place, and that would have been the opportune time for the team to turn it around, start winning the close games, and get back above 500.  And now it’s to a point that I don’t know if this can be fixed.  Everytime I see the score tied in the 8th or 9th, I always think we’re going to lose.  And we do.  It’s not just me being pessimistic, we just don’t have what it takes to win close games.  When it really counts in close games, our offense dries up and our bullpen blows.  I don’t know if that can be fixed now.

Obviously I continue to hope that that can be turned around, but how many bullpen losses does it take before our offense and starting pitching just doesn’t care anymore.  (it reminds me of how frustrated the Bears defense got with the Bears offense when they couldn’t score to save their lives, and the defense actually outscored them for like three straight weeks two or three seasons ago)

Let’s hope.