Cubs limp out of April

The first month of the season ended Monday night with a familiar site: the Cub bullpen losing another ballgame. The Cubs who headed into Pittsburgh with a three game winning streak had several chances to extend that streak to four. But as has become par for the course, the Cubs coudn't find a way to win a close game. At the end of the month the Cubs find themselves looking up 5-1/2 games at the front running Milwaukee Brewers. Here are the current standings in the NL Central:

Central W L PCT GB
Milwaukee 16 9 .640 -
Pittsburgh 12 12 .500 3.5
Cincinnati 12 13 .480 4.0
Chicago 10 14 .417 5.5
Houston 10 14 .417 5.5
St. Louis 10 14 .417 5.5

I think many of us expected these standings to be reversed. While I don't think it's early anymore, there are still 5 months to play. The Cubs are in real need of a win streak, and a pretty big one. Lou Piniella did not sign onto this team for a 77 win "rebuilding season". The reality is, that is what the season is starting to look like.

One of the most alarming things about the first month of the season has to be the Cubs rotten play at home. In 2005 the Cubs were 38-43 at Wrigley Fd. In 2006 their home record was 36-45. They know that they have to reverse this trend if they want to be in contention come September. So their home record this April...4-9. More alarming has been the different ways they have found to lose games. There was this collapse on April 13th when the so-called ace Carlos Zambrano couldn't hold a 5 run lead. Last Monday the Cubs gave the first place Brewers a game for their end of year highlight film.

With five months left in Tribune ownership, many fans, myself included, can't wait for the page to turn. As the clock heads heads toward 0:00 it is only fitting that the Cubs finish their years under the Tribsters with another dud. Why did any us expect more? Stupidity I guess.