The Yankees are the first team to 90 victories this year, as they hold a 9.5 game lead over Tampa Bay. The Astros and Dodgers will soon join them in that achievement, with still a month left in the regular season. Dodger and Yankee “Blues” are confined to the uniform. The Cubs, on the other hand, had a major set-back this weekend against the Brewers, going scoreless for 24 consecutive innings. Two straight shut-out losses at Wrigley hadn’t happened since the Dodgers did it in August of 2013. That year the Cubs were 66-96 under Dale Sveum and finished fifth in the National League Central. This year, at least, they already gotten 74 wins, but continue to trail the Cardinals by 3 games. The Redbirds are on a roll, without nearly the talent that Chicago possesses. I’m just hoping that the Cubbies can somehow come from behind in facing the Cards seven of the last ten games. First, they have to get by the Brewers in an upcoming four-game series at Miller Park. 

The struggling Cubs are a victim of their own color. They’ve got the “Baseball Blues” when it comes to scoring runs or preventing them late in games. It’s caused me great sadness when I watch them as they continue to stumble through the year. Of late, they’ve even had trouble winning in the “Friendly Confines.” Chicago is known for “The Blues,” but it should not apply when it comes to baseball: 

We’ve got those baseball blues,

When we put on our hitting shoes.

I just might blow a fuse, 

Since I hate so much to lose. 

That song has played too many times this year. Then, just when I think there’s hope, there’s an encore. I keep seeing too much Cardinal and Cincy red, and when it mixes with Cubbie Blue, it often leaves an ugly bruise. I’ve given up hope when the bullpen goes into action, and find myself constantly frustrated when it comes to getting hits with runners on base. I keep expecting a big finishing run down the stretch, but instead find us at an unacceptable 5-5. They did manage to beat the Mariners today, and once again my expectations are up  for an 8-2 stretch. The Cardinals have been doing that consistently the past two months. They apparently learned a lesson from the Stanley Cup Champion Blues.