I figured the Chicago Cubs would have to endure a few lean years as Theo Epstein slowly built a winner in Wrigley Field. However, I didn't think things would be this bad. After Chicago lost to the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 and the San Diego Padres defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 6-1 on Sunday, the Cubs are now officially the only MLB team that hasn't won or split a series in 2012.
Sunday's action
Chicago had numerous opportunities on Sunday to win their first series of 2012. However, the Cubs left 12 men on base, including squandering bases-loaded opportunities. In the field, things weren't any better. C Geovany Soto committed two errors while Chicago pitchers gave up eight walks and hit one batter.
The MLB team that finally earned a series split for the first time in 2012 on Sunday was the San Diego Padres. The once mighty Phillies lost two games out of four to the Padres. The 3-12 Kansas City Royals are now the only MLB team with a worse record than the Cubs and even they have won a series.
Power outage
I haven't seen this little power in Wrigley Field since before lights were installed. (Actually, the Cubs' teams I watched in the 1980s before lights were installed hit for a lot more power than this team.) Through Sunday's loss, Chicago has a grand total of five home runs, the lowest team total in MLB.
Relief woes
Chicago actually had a chance to get off to a good start in 2012 and gain some confidence, but the Cubs' closers let them down. Of course, things have been so bad lately in Chicago that the closer, Carlos Marmol, hasn't even had a save opportunity in over a week.
Future of the 2012 Chicago Cubs
Don't look for Chicago to starting hitting home runs, notching saves and winning series anytime soon. The wind is still blowing in at Wrigley Field and the first place, World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals are coming to Chicago. It may not be until May that the Cubs finally win or split a series in 2012.
At 4-12, the Cubs are on pace to either go 40-122 or 41-121 (depending on whether you round up or down). The last MLB teams to have records this bad were the 1962 New York Mets (40-120) and the 2003 Detroit Tigers (43-119). I'd like to say the Cubs won't be that bad this year, but at this rate, anything is possible.
Patrick Michael is a resident of New Orleans, but grew up watching the Chicago Cubs on WGN with Harry Caray and Steve Stone as the Cubs announcers. A diehard Cubs fan, Patrick's favorite season was 1984 when the Cubs were one win away from reaching the World Series.
Sources
WGN broadcast of the Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds
"Baseball Reference," baseball-reference.com
"1962 New York Mets," baseball-reference.com
"2003 Detroit Tigers," baseball-reference.com
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