The “Baseball Gods” weren’t very good to me yesterday as my teams were mostly losers. The only exception was the White Sox who one their record 5th straight of the season. To most franchises, this would not be much of an accomplishment but the “Baseball Gods” have not be very favorable to the Sox the last few years. Young players like Yoan Moncada, Carlos Rodon, Lucas Giolito, Tim Anderson, and Eloy Jimenez lead the team that currently sits 10.5 games behind the league leading Twins in the American League Central. Last night they moved past the Indians into second in the standings with a 7-1 head-to-head victory over the Tribe. One more victory and the team will be at .500, a positive step up from last year’s 62-100 season (.383). They were a bright ray of sunshine on yesterday’s dismal scoreboard. Unfortunately, the “Baseball Gods” were unfriendly to Sox fans today.

The Cubs, on the other hand, seem to be resorting back to start-of-the-season bad form when they lost their first three series. They were on a roll until the last place Reds stopped their hot streak with not one but two series losses in May. Then the Cubs traveled to Houston and lost two out of three before last night’s extra inning Cardinals victory at the unfriendly confines of Busch Stadium. To add more salt to the wound, it was the first time the Cards had walked-off all year, to the delight of their obnoxious fans. As a result, the Cubbies are in danger of falling short in their third straight series. If you win each series, you’ll win it all, so any set-back against the rival Cardinals is demoralizing. I was surprised, however, that problem-child Yu Darvish somehow only allowed three hits through 6 innings of work after walking his first two batters. He came away with his sixth straight no-decision and still has an ERA of over 5. This one-run loss was the first example example of how the “Baseball Gods” were not on my side today. 

Before the Cubs loss, I monitored the Indiana Hoosier baseball NCAA tournament opener against Illinois State. After winning the BIG Ten regular season, they fell flat on their faces in tourney action. This misfortune continued into last night’s one-run loss to the Redbirds. Indiana struggled early but came back to tie it in the seventh, only to give up the game winner in the 9th. The “Baseball Gods” were not wearing Cream & Crimson. I.U. did manage to rebound against UIC this afternoon 9-5 to stave off elimination. Will the “Baseball Gods” be there for them tomorrow and Sunday?

Yesterday’s baseball misery continued into the evening in Corvallis where the defending National Champion Oregon State Beavers started their quest for back-to-back titles. Today they are in danger of being the third Championship team in history to be eliminated the year after with two straight losses. It could even happen at home. Last night, they rallied to finally take the lead in the 7th against Cincinnati. However, they too then sadly lost by one in the 9th. The “Baseball Gods” were definitely with them in Omaha during the final game of the College World Series last June when a miss-played foul pop-up gave them the opportunity to capitalize on a second chance at-bat against Arkansas. (See Post #583). Will the “Baseball Gods” answer their comeback prayers today?