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Chicago Cubs Shaky, Inconsistent Start Should Come as Little Surprise to Fans
The 2011 season has not gotten off to a great start for the Chicago Cubs. After Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, their record fell to 10-11 on the season, placing them fourth in the NL Central through the first 21 games of the year, a game and a half out of first place.
The Cubs have been one of most consistently inconsistent teams in baseball, never winning more than two games in a row, but never losing more than two in a row, either. They've been unable to generate enough momentum to really challenge for the NL Central lead yet, and while they're well within striking distance, the deficit feels much larger than it actually is between the Wrigley Field inhabitants and the division leading Cardinals.
But, for anyone who looked at this squad before the season, the maddeningly inconsistent start to the year should come as little shock.
Sure, there was plenty of potential in the lineup; third baseman Aramis Ramirez is capable of putting up stellar numbers, as is first baseman Carlos Pena, while catcher Geovany Soto, shortstop Starlin Castro, and outfielder Marlon Byrd and Tyler Colvin are all capable of great things as well.
The rotation may have been potential laden as well, with the live arms of Carlos Zambrano, Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster leading the way, and plenty of promise in the bullpen.
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But, no one is going to confuse any of those players with rocks of consistency. Ramirez and Pena are as streaky as they come, as is Soto, while Colvin and Castro are still young and inconsistent. The rotation is led by two of the biggest hotheads in all of baseball, a pair of guys who can look like aces one game, and barely look like major leaguers in their next start.
This team's personality was designed to be streaky and inconsistent. They have the potential to be great, but the fact is, with the players at their disposal, everyone pretty much knew this was what we were going to get.
Sometimes, this team will have its bats working, and the pitching throwing marbles, and they'll look like playoff contenders. Other times, they'll be swinging whiffle ball bats, and lobbing grapefruit.
On top of that, they've got a rookie manager in Mike Quade, someone who has the skills to be a great manager, but is sure to hit rough patches of his own from time to time as he learns the ropes of managing in the big leagues.
When you combine all of those factors with the wonky Wrigley Field weather (that pesky wind), you've got the perfect storm for one of the most maddening teams in baseball this year.
Don't be surprised to see the Cubs rip off a big winning streak, only to follow it with a prolonged slump, or even to continue their up-and-down play from the first 21 games of the 2011 season. In the end, they'll probably finish about where they are now, fourth best in the division.
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