So Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood is back on the DL. For most of the season so far, Cubs fans have been hearing the Wood-(Mark) Prior mantra.
“Wait until next year” has been replaced with “wait till next month.”
The fact is neither of them is long for the world of healthy pitchers.
As pointed out many times, these two guys pitch in such a way as to actually self-destruct, especially Wood.
Meanwhile the team and fans are stuck watching what amounts to one real pitcher (Carlos Zambrano), one sometimes great used-to-be (Greg Maddux) and a group of guys who run as hot and cold and iffy as Chicago’s weather.
It doesn’t help to have a good bullpen if you don’t have starters.
I can’t remember how many games I saw the Cubs lose in the first three innings this year, and you’re not supposed to call on the pen until after the sixth.
What is especially irksome is that we hear calls for Dusty Baker’s head when the real fault is with management above his level.
What have the Cubs got to work with?
Poor pitching.
Mediocre hitting.
Good speed (which you can’t use if you don’t get on base).
And a decent but useless bullpen.
Playoff contenders they are not.
It’s a good thing Chicagoans have the White Sox.
