CHICAGO SPORTS BLOG - DIFFERENT YEAR, SAME OLD CUBS
You're a Cub fan and already you're saying this can't be happening. The Cubs favored by many to win the NL Central Division find themselves in last place after four games, four games that they are playing at home.
It seems like they're playing like they did for much of last year. Sloppy play led to another loss against a division rival and put the Cubs in the cellar of their division. What makes this amazing is that it looks as though nothing has changed. Manager Lou Piniella already looks as confused as he did last year at this time, the Cubs have squandered two fine starting pitching performances and they can't win in their own ballpark.
Piniella has wavered on the lineup, made a questionable pitching decision in game one when he brought closer, Kerry Wood, in to a tie-game and seems to get mad when the media can see that he can't make out a good line-up. Explain to me why your best hitter, Fukodome, continues to hit fifth and why Soriano would be placed in the leadoff position when he's hitting .059 for these four games.
You could see why the Cubs wanted to make the move for lead-off man and second baseman, Brian Roberts from the Baltimore Orioles. Roberts has five walks and three hits in three games and is batting .375 with an on base percentage of .615 vs. Soriano's putrid average of .059 with only one hit in 17 at-bats and has just one walk for a lousy on-base percentage of .111.
So, Lou doesn't have the guts to make a permanent change in the leadoff spot and it's clear that Soriano's best days are behind him. The only hope is that Fukodome will get thrusted into the top of the lineup soon and become the catalyst this offense so desperately needs on a consistent basis. C'mon Lou just don't collect a paycheck manage this team to compete at its best level.
JEFF ARDITO & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
