The Cubs, hoping to gain some momentum going into the All-Star break, had a chance to reduce the Brewers lead in the Central Division with a home win in a make-up game.  Instead, they fell flat on their faces, losing 11-2.  Cubs starter Mike Montgomery gave up seven runs and six hits in 2 1/3 innings, and the team then went on to lose 2 out of 3 against the Pirates. Things continued to go downhill for the Cubs even during the All-Star Game as the only two Cubs representatives, Wade Davis and Manager Joe Madden, were credited for the National League loss in the 10th inning.

As the second half of the season began, the tables slowly started to turn.  The Brewers won two of their first three against Philadelphia at home, and then lost seven to the surging Pirates in a home and away series, and two out of three in Philadelphia.  The Cubs won six straight, including sweeps of Baltimore and Atlanta, and then took two out of three against the Cardinals and three out of four against the White Sox.  Suddenly the Cubs had a 1 1/2 game lead on the Brewers in the Central and all the momentum, going head-to-head in Milwaukee.  Surely, the tide had finally changed for the Cubs, and they could extend their lead.  Once again, the Brewers prevailed and the Cubs offense sputtered.

I’m very frustrated with this loss, and with the Cubs inability to win opening games of series this year.  The Cardinals somehow took game 1 at Wrigley, and the Cubbies should not have lost even one game against the White Sox, let alone this key opportunity in Milwaukee.  They just don’t have it this year!  Sure, they could come back and win the next two against the Brewers, but they seem to lack that killer instinct of a champion.  Even Kyle Schwarber, who has been on a roll, couldn’t make contact with the tying run at third in last night’s game.  The result – No Dub.

Dubs are wins, and the Cubs need to win the next two against the Brew Crew, and then go on and have at least a 10-game winning streak to take command of the Central.  The Cardinals and Pirates are hanging in there, and it doesn’t look like there will be a Wild Card chance for any of these division rivals.  The Central Division is weak, and it will take a dominant leader to have any hope for a World Championship.  All these teams will be making trade moves in the next few months, with the Pirates and the reinstatement of Starling Marte making the most noise so far in the second half of the season.  The Cubs and Pirates will meet again at the end of August, just before the home stretch.  If you’ll remember the Pirates swept the Cubs at Wrigley to start the season, before the Marte 60-game suspension.  He’s back!  Is there anybody out there than can enhance the Cubs chances for a repeat?  The drama continues….

Don’t be a Dud….Fly The Dub.