Your Chicago Cubs Suck

I thought that would grab your attention. Now let me explain. The Cubs are the back-to-back and defending Central Division Champions. They are also 183-149 over the past two seasons. Despite these very shiny statistics, the Cubs are 0-6 over that stretch in the games that matter. The reason for this? The Cubs just are not that good.

The Cubs have had World Series talent over the past two years, no doubt. Aramis Ramirez is as clutch as it gets and he grabs RBI's like Jason Kidd grabs rebounds. Alfonso Soriano, though streaky, has carried this team on his back numerous times every season. Ryan Theriot is a spark-plug and Derrek Lee is a leader – yadda, yadda, yadda. So why the October disappointments?

Reason number one: The National League Central. It's just really really bad. In 2007, the Cubs won 86 games on the way to their first division title, post-Bartman. That season the Central was 374-436. Against this really mediocre division the Cubs played to the tune of 45-34, which ain't that bad in theory. However, the weak division did more harm to the Cubs than good. Look at many of the teams in the World Series this past decade. Many of them were tested by quality opponents and a tough division. Last year? The Cubs won a well-publicized 97 games. And how about the rest of the division? Still under 500. 403-406. The reason for the improvement would be an improved Chicago and Milwaukee roster. The rich got richer and poor got poorer. Cincinatti and Pittsburgh just missed 100 losses. Considering the Cubs went 14-4 against Pittsburgh alone, the Cubs 97 wins just is not that impressive.

Over the course of the past two seasons, the Cubs are 83-79 against teams that have records over .500. Is it really a surprise that the Cubs can not win a single game in the playoffs against battle tested +.500 teams?

Reason number two? Management. I love Lou as much as you do. But there are times I feel like we're watching Dusty cater to his horses. Allowing Sori to chill in the leadoff spot while he has about five better options. Lackluster bullpen management. Keeping Derrek in the three-hole despite the gold-glover's decline. Lou apparently has been reading coaching novels in the offseason. Good for him. I hope some of it got through come April.

My final reason is the typical Cubs mentality that always rears its head in the most inopportune moments. After the Cubs defeat by the Dodgers in the NLCS, GM Jim Hendry said that the guys cared too much and they pressed themselves too hard. The Cubs rectified that this off-season by dropping the sentimental Kerry Wood and Mark DeRosa and bringing in Milton Bradley, Aaron Miles and persuing the hot-headed Jake Peavy - some attitude to the replace the lovable loser tag.

Some things have to change in 2009. Otherwise the Cubs are right back where they have found themselves by late October. Home.