The Chicago Cubs are 35-36. The Chicago White Sox are 36-38. Both teams are flirting with the .500 mark as we get closer to the half-way mark of the season. Unless these teams are can go into after-drive and put the pedal to the metal, it is likely that these team will finish near the .500 mark. The Cubs had a thrilling homestand and won some games with pulsating finishes. Then they go on the road and make the Detroit Tigers look like world-beaters. In one game, the Cubs have a one run lead late, but their closer gives up a 2 run homer in the last of 9th to win the game for Detroit.
Good closers don't give up game winning home runs to lose the game. Unfortunately, Marmol is the set up man and putting him in is like watching a chopped tree tottering before it falls. You never know how it's going to work out. Some days he looks great striking out the side. Other days it could a hit batter, a wild pitch, a walk, a single, and game on the brink. This is after the Cubs have scored 4 runs on 9 hits to tie a game. Last season, the game would have been over.
What a difference a year makes. Safe to say Milton Bradley won't be back next season. He has the psychological make-up of a rook in Babe Ruth League. This is the Majors Milt, wake up.
The Sox are not any great shakes either. Decent starting pitching, no consistent hitting, a bullpen that blows up games one day, and locks down a game on another. The Sox actually look like they can do something this season, because their starters can get you to the 6th or 7th inning with a lead. That's where they can get into trouble. The set up pitchers have been shaky this season. Jenks, the closer is reliable. The Sox are 6 game out of the division lead. A margin that a good team could make up. But the Pale Hose win two games and lose 3 and you can't win a pennant that way.
If the White Sox can't repeat and win the Division, look for major changes on the team.
