Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Should I be worried?

Maybe.

About what you ask? What else is there? The Chicago Cubs and whether or not they can hold on to win the National League Central or at least get the wild card.

They've lost eight of their last nine, including six in a row at one point. And all this after a seven-game winning streak. Thank God the equally inept Milwaukee Brewers have been losing, too, or the Cubs might be looking up at the Brew Crew instead of continuing to hold a 4 1/2-game lead.

I knew they'd have to have a bit of a funk at some point this season, but it's starting to get old now. On Sunday, the Cubs led Cincinnati 3-1 going into the bottom of the ninth. Closer Kerry Wood then proceeded to give up three runs and the Reds won 4-3. On Tuesday, the Cubs led the also inept St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 before Albert Fricking Pujols tied it with a three-run homer. Carlos Marmol then lost it in the ninth.

It's even starting to get to manager Lou Piniella a bit. Apparently, he blew his top a bit after last night's loss.

Maybe that's what they need. When Lou had his famous meltdown last year, the then-last place Cubs responded by making a run all the way to the playoffs.

Hopefully, Lou's latest outburst -- and the return to the mound of Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden, who were both out with tired arms -- will be just the tonic this team needs.

Seriously, I don't think I could take it if I had to endure another collapse. And I'm not going to get really worried until the lead is gone. The magic number to clinch is 14.

Oh. And beware the Houston Astros.

Click here for the latest Cubs news and what has turned out to be a calming voice of reason. And check out the new Cubs widget I've posted on the right side of this page.

Piniella meltdown photo from 2007 courtesy AP

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