The turning point in the Cubs’ and Cardinals’ seasons came on June 23 at Busch Stadium. The Cubs had won the night before, but the Cards took a 3-0 lead that Wednesday before Cubs roared back to take a 9-3 lead. Then the bullpen crumbled.
Since that game, the Cards have played the best baseball of any team and should finish with the best record in baseball. We all know where the Cubs have gone since June 23rd.
Like so many others, including Dusty Baker, I am weary of waiting for this team to jell and play like it’s capable of playing. Tribune Co. has paid out the money and Jim Hendry has assembled a great roster. And in all my Cubs years I have never seen fans cheer a team like this year’s team.
While you may question some of Baker’s strategy, the bottom line is the guys wearing the pinstripes have yet to do their job. If they do so over the final five weeks, maybe St. Louis broadcaster Joe Buck’s prediction will come true: “The Cardinals will win the division and the Cubs will be in the World Series.”
But I’m not holding my breath.
