Chicago Cubs mid season review

Ah those lovable losers are at it again. For whatever reason things can never go right for the Cubs, and it looks like with a new owner in place they will enter a new era of rebuilding. I expect them to be active sellers as we head towards the trade deadline. For now they sit 4th in the National League Central with a 39-50 record. They are 9.5 games behind the Cincinnati Reds who lead the division. They have yet to produce a winning record in any month, and went 8-10 in interleague play.

The problems with this team start with the offense. They have scored just 359 runs, and as a team are hitting .254 which is 12th among the 16 NL clubs. They have collected 761 hits, 150 of which were doubles, 16 were triples, and 83 were home runs. All of those stats have them in the bottom half of the senior circuit teams. They have struck out 656 times, and drawn 277 walks.

Beyond Carlos Silva, things are not much better with their pitching staff. Silva has a winning record but a 3.45 ERA. Overall they have given up 404 runs, and their staff ERA is 4.05. They have given up 755 hits, and 85 of those were home runs. That seems to indicate that pitching is not their only issue, nor is it the cause of all their troubles. As a staff they have struck out 695 hitters, and issued 292 walks.

One of the biggest questions about this club heading into 2010 was if the ninth inning was in safe hands. Closer Carlos Marmol has converted 16 saves and has an overall record 2-1 with a 2.16 ERA. If the Cubs can get to the ninth with a lead, he seems able to hold it. However getting to the ninth with a lead really seems to be the bigger issue.

Related Links:

•Chicago Cubs news and notes
•The Business of Major League Baseball
•MTR baseball.com