Chicago Cubs Baseball

O’ Wiser Ones than me have surmised over time eternal that a fine line exists between success and failure. After the first month of the 2007 season, I think it’s safe to say Chicago Cubs baseball has found it.

Chicago ended the last day of baseball’s first month the same way it began - losing. And it looks like this year’s Cubs insist on repeating history till they get it right.

Monday’s setback, a 3-2 defeat in Pittsburgh, was just the latest in a month-long series of close losses. For the record, the Cubs are 1-9 in games decided by two runs or less. The lone win came this past weekend against St. Louis.

To put this in perspective, if the Chicago Cubs would have just split the close ones its record would be reversed - 14-10 - and Milwaukee would be feeling some heat. Instead, the Cubs sit five-and-a-half games back. And it’s just the first month.

Speaking of the first month, here’s a stat for you: Chicago has yet to win a game played on a Sunday or a Tuesday, and have a 1-10 record overall on games played Sunday, Monday or Tuesday.

The Pirates have got to be liking their odds heading into tomorrow’s game.

Adding sea salt to the Pirate wound, the Cubs managed to spoil yet another outstanding performance from a starting pitcher. Rich Hill made the dreadful mistake of walking a batter, which led to the tying run.

If there’s a silver lining to Hill’s effort, it was he didn’t get tagged with the loss. That distinction went to Michael Wuertz, who served up the game-winning gopher ball to Jason Bay.

And while we’re reflecting, it was just a week ago when rookie Rocky Cherry watched a Prince Fielder homer win a game.

The same O’ Wiser Ones also have said “Pennants aren’t won in April. But they’re sure the heck lost there.”