On the DL...

So, also joining the disabled list with what seems to be a growing list of Cub players, I’ve decided to take a temporary hiatus from my series updates (retroactive to May 10, 2011).  I’ve decided to pause mostly because I just haven’t been able to keep up with the pace of writing and covering a sports team.  It doesn’t help that the product on the field has been less than desirable, but as an eternal optimist, I still see hope for this group, and if they could just put together a string of victories, and more importantly a return back to .500, they can still make some noise in the NL Central.

My hopes for the team for the month of June include the following: 

• a series win over the visiting New York Yankees
• the return of Cubs starters 1-4 (namely Matt Garza now that Randy Wells has come off the DL)
• continued success from the most promising duo of Starlin Castro and Darwin Barney
• fewer errors on the field and better running of the bases
• a power surge with the warmer weather, particularly Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena
• oh, yeah, a 3-game win streak would be really nice

We shall see how the hot summer treats the Cubs. After two months and the constant back and forth dance that the team engaged in during April, things seemed to unfortunately turn South as the team hit a low point during May and now one of the worst records in all of baseball.  June will be a telling month and may ultimately be the last chance for the team to play itself into contention once again.

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Cubs Series Recap: To Dusty, We Lose Two

Article first published as Cubs Series Recap: To Dusty, We Lose Two on Blogcritics.

The first of two huge series for the Chicago Cubs (15-18) came and went as the team dropped two of three to the Cincinnati Reds (19-16). There's still reason to hope for the team, and with the Chicago weather heating up a bit, so too will the bats, or so we hope.

Cubs Series Recap: Capping Off a Winning West Coast Trip

Article first published as Cubs Series Recap: Capping Off a Winning West Coast Trip on Blogcritics.


The Chicago Cubs (14-16) finished a seven game West Coast trip with a victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers (15-17) which solidified a winning record on the trip as the team comes home for two straight divisional series against the Cincinnati Reds and then the beloved St. Louis Cardinals. First, a look at the good that came out of the trip to L.A.

Cubs Series Recap: Hot and Cold in the Desert

Article first published as Cubs Series Recap: Hot and Cold in the Desert on Blogcritics.

The Chicago Cubs (12-15) finished their season series with the Arizona Diamondbacks (12-15) by splitting a four game set, though the team had a chance to take 3-of-4 in the finale.  After winning two of three in an earlier series, they finish 4-3 on the season against the D-Backs.

Cubs Series Recap: Colorado Rockies Horror Show

Article first published as Cubs Series Recap: Colorado Rockies Horror Show on Blogcritics.



This recap is going to be a short one as we lost a game to Mother Nature on Wednesday. It's probably for the better since the Chicago Cubs (10-13) lost the series early on Monday and Tuesday. Monday's loss marked the first time the team would not be able to reach the .500 mark as they had previously attained the 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, etc. records. Aside from fun with numbers, there was not much else fun with the series and the team finds itself at a critical junction for the season.

Cubs Series Recap: Curing the Dodger Blues

Article first published as Cubs Series Recap: Curing the Dodger Blues on Blogcritics.

Easter weekend delivered some sunshine and slightly warmer weather for the city of Chicago. Unfortunately, although the Chicago Cubs' (10-11) bats heated up as well, the pitching couldn't keep the team in games long enough to take advantage of the number of hits produced. A day-by-day analysis of the three game home series against the Los Angeles Dodgers (12-11).

Cubs Series Recap - A Chilly Return to Chicago and .500

Article first published as Cubs Series Recap - A Chilly Return to Chicago and .500 on Blogcritics.

The Chicago Cubs (9-9) managed to continue their strange obsession with the .500 mark by returning to 8-8 and then 9-9 after taking two of three from the visiting San Diego Padres (8-10). The pitching staff got the team off to a solid start in the first two games before spot starter James Russell struggled to prevent the team from getting their first series sweep of the year.

Cubs Series Recap - Rocky Mountain Road Trip

Article first published as Cubs Series Recap - Rocky Mountain Road Trip on Blogcritics.

The Chicago Cubs (7-8) held their own against the Colorado Rockies (12-3), the National League team with the best record, though the Cubs let the series slip away despite a strong rally in the rubber match. A few items of note as the season's first road trip comes to an end:

Cubs Series Recap: Houston, We Are Back to .500

Article first published as Cubs Series Recap: Houston, we are back to .500 on Blogcritics.

First, the city of Houston was left out of the NASA Shuttle giveaway, and the bad news continued as the slumping Astros (4-9) dropped two of three to the Chicago Cubs (6-6) in this early season series. The two wins evened up the Cubs on the road trip and for the season.

Cubs Series Recap: Losing Two to the Brew Crew

Article first published as Cubs Series Recap: Losing Two to the Brew Crew on Blogcritics.

The first visit to Wrigleyville North (aka Milwaukee) came early for the Cubbies, and although the series looked promising with a victory in the first game, the Brewers responded by taking two of three and ultimately the series.  A few more thoughts in this series recap between the Chicago Cubs (4-5) and the Milwaukee Brewers (5-5):

Cubs Series Recap: Win 2 of 3 Games, Lose 2 of 3 Pitchers

Article first published as Cubs Series Recap: Win 2 of 3 Games, Lose 2 of 3 Pitchers on Blogcritics.

Series two is in the books, and although the Chicago Cubs (3-3) did take 2 of 3 from the Arizona Diamondbacks (2-3) with the possibility of a sweep, the team placed two starting pitchers on the disabled list, both of whom had solid starts during the series.

Three Observations from the Cubs' 2011 Opening Weekend

Article first published as Three Observations from the Cubs' 2011 Opening Weekend on Blogcritics.

Well, opening weekend has come and gone, and the Chicago Cubs managed to play to most critics' expectations by dropping the first series to their recently established nemesis, the Pittsburgh Pirates. No longer the team's go-to for easy wins, the Pirates showed resilience by coming back in the ninth of Sunday's rubber game against what many had assumed was the Cubs greatest strength in closer, Carlos Marmol. A look at what was learned in games one, two, and three.

Let's Play Ball!

I can't help it. I heart the Cubs. And when my number on the season ticket waiting list finally got called, I couldn't help but say "yes." After all, it wasn't too long after the last time I jumped on the season ticket bandwagon that a certain team went out and brought home the Stanley Cup just two years later. I don't expect the Cubs to perform a similar feat in such short order. However, as an eternally optimistic fan, I can't help but think that someday during my lifetime, there will be an opportunity to witness a World Series played and won here in Wrigleyville. Aisle 237 represents my home for this season and possibly many more seasons to come. Similarly, I look forward to sharing my thoughts on the season, the team, and the experience all right here as well. Welcome to the Aisle.

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