Just get it done

Avoiding another, "the Cubs have played poorly but they are only x games out" post is at the top of my list of priorities. But I can't help but get my emotions sucked in a little because 5.5 games out of the wild card looks a lot better than the 7-8 range they were floating in for awhile. This team is mediocre, plain and simple. Serviceable offense at home, virtually none on the road pretty much defines the 2009 Cubs. However, mediocre teams do get into the playoffs and sometimes they win it all (2006 is a pretty good example of that).

The Cubs missed a golden opportunity by going 3-3 this past week. Had they even won today they would sit at 4.5 games of the wild card. Due to inexplicable losses to the Nationals and whiffing like crazy on pitches from marginal major league talents like Nelson Figueroa just support the idea that the Cubs will not make the playoffs.

Granted the 5.5 games they stand back right now is really a lot more being that they are behind 4 teams. This upcoming week, however, presents the same kind of opportunity the Cubs wasted this past week with the Braves and Marlins squaring off. I'm more scared of the Braves because of their pitching so the Marlins taking 2/3 would be good. Either way the Cubs have a chance to gain games on someone. Whether they hold up their end of the bargain is what counts, and with the way this season is gone that isn't very likely.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Soriano is on the brink of a hot streak. It would seem to make little to no sense considering how poorly he has played lately and the cortizone shot/injury situation, but that wacky law of nature that major leaguers reach their career averages is still there. I fully expect (and I'm a huge Soriano critc/cynic) him to somehow get to around 28-30 home runs this season. Sori destroys mediocre arms, and with Brian Moehler, TBA, and Carlos Torres (no disrespect to the Sox) going after Oswalt today, he should have his opportunities.

If the Cubs can 5 out of 7 this week, I would imagine they would sit at at least 4.5 if not 3.5 games back of the Wild Card this time next week. This is a tall task indeed, but with the starting rotation intact and the Astros and Mets on the schedule....COME ON!

Photo courtesy chi-ball.com.