Do you think the Cubs are playing too soft?

Question

Do you think the players or the coaches are to blame?
Should Pitching Coach Larry Rothschild be fired ASAP, because he hasn't still done anything to improve the pitching?

Who or what is to blame for the slow start?

- The lack of consistent offense
- The incompetent bullpen
- The Pitching

Or is it all of them?

Who needs to step up or else?

Answer 1

As a die hard Cubs fan this season has been a disappointment thus far. The bullpen has been terrible too many blown leads from middle relief (Eyre, Howry, etc), the closer (Dempster) has been shaky but that might be from lack of work because middle relief has blown too many leads. The offense has been very inconsistant Derek Lee has been in a slump, Barrett is only hitting .253 and Soriano hasn't been anything to brag about yet. Lee's slump could be from lack of hitting in front of him in the lineup. The baserunnig has been so bad I don't even know where to begin. I'm a Barrett fan but it is inexcusable for a catcher to picked off a base. Maybe Pinnella needs to follow up on his bullpen threat and call up some AAA players from Iowa that want to pitch. Wednesday's game vs Fla scoring ZERO runs especially against Sergio Mitre??? Mitre never impressed me when he was a Cub. About the only ones hitting seem to be Lee (before the slump), Ramirez and Theriot. Starting pitching Zambrano has not been up to par this season, he just to needs to out and pay attention to his pitching because with the way he is pitching is not helping his contract situation. Rich Hill has come back down to earth a bit though he looked good in his last start against LA. Ted Lilly has looked suprisingly good. Jason Marquis was pitching well early on but has tailed off to almost the Marquis the Cards got rid of.

Overall I would have to lay the blame on the pen because of too many blown leads when the starting pitching and offense have been good. I think the bad bullpen has led to decreased effective starters and hitting. Even though they're MLB players it might be in their heads that they have to be perfect because the of the ineffective pen.

Answer 2

It seems since '03 they can't keep good pitching, mainly because of injuries, which is sad, because Wood and Prior were incredibly amazing. They would have had Hall of Fame careers, but, their careers aren't over yet, so we'll see.

I really don't think it's their offense. And, I really do think they will win their division this year. I just don't see the Brewers pulling it out.

I really wouldn't say anyone is to blame. I think hiring Lou Piniella is a step in the right direction.

I can't wait until Ryne Sandberg works his way up to the big leagues. Ryno will bring a World Series title to Chicago Cubs fans around the nation. Watch, it'll happen.

Answer 3

But they are soft.....
1) They go way too much for the long ball
2) Way too many right fielders
3) Bad, old bullpen
4) Starting pitching starting to come down a bit
5) Lou really has no fire right now. Not one ejection to get the team going
6) New lineup - every day!
7) Jacque Jones still plays
8) Michael Barrett does not hit
and
9) They are the Cubs - so people go

Answer 4

They are not that bad a team. Saw thme on TV a few time.
I really think Seewt Lou is the problem.
There's talent on this team. So I have to put the blame on the top man.