A lot can happen in a week. A lot of bad things if you’re the Cubs.
On Aug. 16, the day before the Cubs headed out on a seven-game West Coast road trip, they were five games behind St. Louis in the NL Central race. A robust but still-within-striking-distance deficit.
Today, even after a 3-1 win in L.A., the Cubs are a throw-in-the-towel eight games out of first because the Cardinals beat San Diego. Not only that, but they also are seven games out of the wild-card playoff spot because Colorado beat San Francisco. Here’s how it happened.
Source: mlb.com
Aug. 17
4-1 loss at San Diego
Kevin Gregg blows his third save in five chances. The Cardinals, meanwhile, beat the L.A. Dodgers. Not a good combo.
Tuesday
6-3 loss at San Diego
The Cubs couldn’t win against Cesar Carrillo, who was starting his second major-league game. Carrillo earns his first win. That’s so Cubs.
Wednesday
7-1 win at San Diego
Comedian Bill Murray watches the Cubs offense come alive at Petco Park. It figures a comedian is one of the Cubs’ biggest celeb fans.
Thursday
7-2 loss at L.A. Dodgers
The Cubs return to the site of their first-round playoff exit last season. The result is similar, except this isn’t the playoffs and likely won’t be.
Friday
2-1 loss at L.A. Dodgers
Sam Fuld robs Manny Ramirez of a homer. The Dodgers rob the Cubs of a chance at gaining ground on St. Louis, which loses to San Diego.
Saturday
2-0 loss at L.A. Dodgers
When the highlight of the game is your center fielder (Fuld again) running face-first into a fence, you know things have not gone well.
Sunday
3-1 win at L.A. Dodgers
Carlos Marmol nails down his first save since replacing Kevin Gregg as closer. Too little, too late?
