Piniella Teaching His Cubs

Ryan Theriot says Lou is teaching the game more than in seasons past.

Letting players learn the game from peers is effective, but takes much longer than simply teaching a player how to improve.

I give Piniella credit for taking a larger role in developing his players, both younger guys and veterans alike.

Regardless of the profession, those who continue to learn always rise to the top in his or her field.

Speaking of which, is Carlos Zambrano finally learning how to pitch?

Derek Lee Playing Aramis Ramirez

This is how the Cubs won 97 games last year.

Playing with passion, hitting the long ball and superb starting pitching was the team’s calling card a season ago.

Thursday showed the Cubs are still capable of such play, although consistency has been the main problem this year.

Derek Lee is doing his best to impersonate Aramis Ramirez. Much to my surprise, it’s been working.

Randy Wells An All Star

Randy Wells is deserving of an All Star selection.

Of course, there’s a fat chance he’ll represent the Cubs in St. Louis, but that doesn’t mean he’s not worthy.

Had the guy been given any run support this season he’d have the number of wins to be legitimately considered.

Nonetheless, Wells has been simply terrific through 10 starts.

In exactly half his outings he’s lasted at least seven innings pitched.

He’s also totaled 45 strikeouts vs. just 14 walks, and has managed to win three games in a row despite receiving a meek three or fewer runs of support in seven of 10 outings.

What stands out to me most about Wells, however, is his ability to keep the ball low in the strike zone. Of the 26 batters he faced Thursday, 12 were ground ball outs. That’s huge!

Cubs Drowning At The Dish

It seems the Cubs are not just treading water anymore, they’re submerged beneath it.

Specifically, the lineup is drowning in a hitting funk that rivals the Dead Ball Era.

Shutout by Ross Ohlendorf. Seriously?

Chicago’s three at-bats in the eighth after Theriot and Bradley reached second and third with no outs was pathetic.

Soriano goes down swinging, Fukudome looking, and Lee with a routine ground out to second.

Good teams come through in those situations. The Cubs, however, keep falling short.