The Cubs are holding on by the hairs on their chinney chin chin. And that is very tenuous considering they’re about to lose a division to a Cardinals team that should at most be fighting for a wild card spot. Instead the Cubs are fighting for the wildcard spot and I suggest by the end of the week the Cubs will be out of the race. Any race. They keep talking like Maddon will be here next year and he probably shouldn’t be. We’re sick of high hopes and bad hitting coaches. Let me tell it has nothing to do with the hitting coaches they just cannot hit and the best thing they’ve done since winning the World Series in 2016 was trading for Castellanos. But when that guy does something spectacular the Cubs find a way to lose. If I was him I’d almost run for the hills. It’s one thing to come from a crappy team to a team that is going to choke away the Season.

For the second year the Cubs are looking at the Wildcard. They’re in second place with better teams more likely to pass them and possibly knock the Cubs out of the playoffs altogether. If that happens there needs to be some huge tangible changes. There have been talk of changes and it’s always been at the field manager level but what about the ones in charge of putting players on the field? We still don’t have a lead off hitter and the worse bullpen in baseball. Talk of the playoffs was always like it is destiny. Just give the Cubs the regular season championship for winning one of the worse divisions in baseball. But this might be the last time we see them in the playoffs at this rate. They can’t hit. The starting pitching is giving up tons of runs. It’s time to let the circus leave town. Here’s to hoping the Rickets family is right behind them.

Castellanos needs to remain a Cub. He's hit at least 8 homers since he's been here on a team that is contending. From a team that wasn't in Detroit. The Cubs still won't make the world Series with him but when one man goes he's next one up. No one misses Addison Russell. Castellanos is making people do just that. As bad as our minor leagues is now Rome might be burning soon.

Look out Cub fans things are falling. And what is that going to look like? Remember when you used to play video games and you stack your line up only to see your best hitters ground out every time? The big words for the Cubs is potential and they're about to run out of that. Fans like me are starting to long for the lovable loser days because when this franchise sees success you should take it with a grain of salt because given enough time they'll be back to lovable losers. Once the NL North division was one of the best divisions in baseball. You look at all the other divisions the leaders are all well over 20 plus more wins over losses. The Cubs are fighting off a bad Brewers team and a bad Cardinals team which it looks like they might be knocked out early. It's been said none of the teams in the division will will 95 games  this season. WhatWdoes that tell you. Granted  rest of baseball has better records but I can't say more talented. The Cubs might make the playoffs for the fifth straight year but it's become such a circus on the Northside that fans are starting to get sick of it like an upset stomach after drinking too much. I'm going to make a crazy statement and say Maddon doesn't finish out the season with the team if they keep giving up double digits runs on the road. The worse road team in baseball. Enjoy 2016 and we'll keep reliving it for years like the 85 Bears. And remember none of us might be around if there's another World Series.

So much for the mantra the Cubs will pick things up after the all star break. The offense is stagnant and broadcasters have said that no one will reach 95 wins this season. Changes need to be made up and down in management and it’s scary to say that Joe Maddon might be amongst the changes. A manager can only work with what he has been given  and what is missing is numerous and have been mentioned here before: Bullpen. Lead off hitter. Get rid of Addison Russell for a bag of baseballs if need be. Demoting him only means he’ll be back this season. The Cubs are imploding within the division with the exception of the St. Louis Cardinals who have managed to find themselves at the top of the division. That certainly isn’t because they’ve gone on some magical run but because the rest of the dumpster fire of a division is doing nothing to try to win it. The Cubs still have some very young and talented players so there is no need to blow things and start over. Maybe a mid season trade can give them a boost. But it might be a bunch of trades to right the ship. God forbid if the Cubs did let Maddon go (Epstein needs to go with him), likely they’ll go after a younger manager probably a current bench coach. I’m sorry to say if only a few of them go and not the entire front office we’ll be saying the same things next year.

All eyes on the Atlantic League, a minor league that has started using “robotic umpires.” Now there are not actually any robots on the field in fact there are still umpires to n the field. The robot is currently for calling balls and strikes. A strange thing Is that the on field umpire can overrule the robot. Players have said they don’t have any problems with it beyond there being a delay between the pitch reaching the catchers glove and the call. So a called third strike may not get to the field before the player is halfway down to first base on a 3-2 count. Players have said they like it because the robot calls strikes in different parts of the zone that an umpire usually calls a ball. There is even an idea of stealing first base. I’m not going to consider player feelings on this one. That’s just dumb. That’s just MLB over thinking things if they’re even considering this. There was already talk of putting a runner on second base to start an inning in extras. I didn’t quibble with the pitch clock or other moves coming next season; such as a relief pitcher facing three batters and the reconfigurations of the trade deadline. But messing with the fundamentals of the great game is just bad magic.

There is talk of the state building a casino in Chicago. There are a ton of hotels going up in downtown just need to build a hotel around a casino like they  do in Vegas. Where would you build one in the city? What kind of element would it bring in? I was in favor of one years ago like my college days when I said marijuana should be legalized. With age we all know things change. I’m against legalization of marijuana because of the low paying jobs that drug test to keep “certain people” out. A dedicated casino would bring in revenue surely but unless you build on Lake Michigan with crazy security it’ll turn into a strip club culture with ridiculous amount of crime. So let’s keep it safe and reputable with a hotel around it that way only the people staying at the hotel can participate. That last part I kind of just threw in because I’m not sure how much that will matter or affect the hotels revenue by being selective in that way. But with the building boom that already has begun it’s just a matter of adjusting (which is not as easy as it sounds). Imagine how many jobs can be created by this from construction to the people working the tables. And a centralized location for gambling which former Governor Quinn was against it because of Illinois history with organized crime. Indiana has been doing it for years and I haven’t heard of anything crazy going on there. Matter of fact they are the reason why this needs to happen in Chicago. Once again not a dedicated one but a hotel.

Could MLB put an end to these four game series? They are obviously 🙄 about making money because unless you’re just about the worse baseball team in the world you should always split 2-2. Let’s play more double headers on some sunny 😎 Sunday’s. As chaotic as Wrigleyville is on those days for one game even it’d be a must watch  family friendly and festive. Imagine how many ticket promotions you could have for those days! It makes the season seem longer than it is and doesn’t count as a series win with a four game series. The most you can expect is a bench clearing brawl after        a big home run.

Maybe panic is a strong word with still more than half a season left to go but looking at other divisions the leaders have commanding leads on the second place team and I believe that if the playoffs were to start today again Cub fans would have to take their chill 💊 because the Cubs while they would be tough out they’d be an early out. It’s clear they have nothing to trade with unless they decide Addison Russel or David Bote is expendable, I’d say more the former than the latter because anyone worth trading is already on the field.

Chicago baseball ⚾️ is a mess right now where it seems the White Sox (even though their Sox are black) are getting better which might be a mirage because of how bad their division is and no matter how good Minnesota finishes they will have to face the Yankees who are dominating (with a former Cub prospect killing it for them). The brand of baseball play right now suit them just fine and they maybe the next team the Dodgers lose to in the World Series but I’d rather be the Dodgers right now than the

Now Cub fans it’s time to panic. They are a dumpster fire right now and it’s not because Ben Zobrist is awol. It is because the boy genius is no longer a boy like in Boston and dare I say no longer a genius. And we’re worried about Maddon being gone after this season. If I was him I’d be looking to get the fuck out of Wrigleyville while I’m still known as a winner. In the past there were managers who would not manage rookies. Maddon can manage a last place team and make them tolerable. When you have a team that is expected to compete and you half ass the lineup don’t be surprised when people hold their nose whenever the team plays. I believe they are giving their best but Christ isn’t there a “Building A Bullpen for Dummies” out there?

The Golden State warriors for once are not the toast of basketball and it's been so quiet since the playoffs ended. Had they won that wouldn't be the case. Hopefully now this nonsense of comparison to the 90s Bulls will end. The Warriors will be remembered as one of the best teams in history and deservedly so but sports should have some balance to it or at least make it compelling. I know this is hipocriticle being that the Bulls won 6 in a dominant way but we needed a Jordan and a Pippen to accomplish what we did. And I seriously doubt the other teams had a gag reflex whenthe Bulls were mentioned. I have to say I am looking forward to Golden States return to mediocrity soon. And enjoying the continued silence.

If you're a Cub fan freaking out right now. Take a breath. The Central is a slog and it get ugly. We've been in first place for a while. Let someone else get a whiff of rarefied air for a while.

Apparently the Cubs have not learned not to bat Schwarber at lead off. This is not video game baseball where you can edit your hitters to super numbers. They still have a crappy bullpen no matter how many pitchers you're supposedly looking at. This division is not as good as people were saying prior to the start of the season because they are somehow still in first place. It's a dumpster fire right now and the Dodgers are running away with the west. Another world series appearance for them even though the Cubs are a better team. Maybe it would be better if the whole front office should go. I shouldn't be upset about this too much because no Cub games will be on television unless you sign up for their ridiculous channel. I think my allegiance is about to come to an end. Time to find me a minor league team to follow.

What does it take to build a bull pen? The Cubs keep getting leads only to have the bull pen give it back. It's like a football team winning by shutout and then they give up an easy touchdown and what people remember most is that lone touchdown. Fix it Theo! Stop building condos and pricing people out the of the neighborhood. You didn't do shit in the off-season but move people around like you're do something and act all self righteous about Addison Russel. You don't want to pay the manager who has you in first place again! Give him something to work with for crying out loud.

Much as it pains me to say it but it's time for Kyle Schwarber to go. Get something back for him in his prime since Jason Heyward is a lost cause we don't need two on the same team.

While the city burn in anger because of the fortunes of the once proud franchise but the Lakers are saying the same thing. Once proud franchise. None  of the teams drafting higher will improve but sell more tickets. One of the most talented drafts in years. Someone for everyone but what about the one you want?

Wrigleyville is becoming Boston west with the racism from emails by ownership to racist gestures on live television. I'm a life long Cub fan (thank you Jeff) but I have a bit of a gag reflex when talking about them.

Former division foes of color have spoke up about the things that would be shouted at them by Boston fans during games and there have been more than one player to state this. 

People, look at the race of the players on the field and look in the stands. There is nothing representative. Just because they're not burning crosses on your lawn...

For a weekend Cub fans are in a kind  of nirvana they haven't seen in years if ever. A bit of whoop ass opened up against the St Louis Cardinals. There is a feeling in Wrigleyville we're seeing the team weve been praying for: a team that is getting to be fearsome. Granted the ownership and front office are as scaly as lizards one cannot help but be excited over what they're seeing. Jason Heyward is pulling his usual disappearing act. Gives a little titillation to start the season but if it quacks like a duck... Still and all they're hot. Very hot. Hot like dream girl hot. And they can keep it up even Yu Darvish is tripping over himself on the field. But at least he's out there. Chatwood is respectable. I have nothing to complain about though I still hold my nose with the bull pen.

Leave it to Theo ball out hit your bullpen. Maybe we've caught the Cardinals on a bad series but they won't be this demure the rest of the season.  Realize about three quarters of Cub fans don't care about Addison Russel. Joe isn't foolish enough to put him in right away. They'll platoon him as they're doing well at that position. Glass houses people.

I don’t care what your brackets look like everyone wants to see Duke win or should I say Zion Williamson. I haven’t rooted for a Duke team ever in my life and unless the Bulls get the number one pick in the draft I might regret rooting for them now. How they weren’t part of the admissions scandal is beyond me. That people are surprised at the scandal more that they got caught. Wonder of wonders how the names end up on the buildings on campuses. And the laughable idea that somehow diplomas are diminished because of it. If your team doesn’t get the number one pick or aren’t in the top four or five teams to get into the lottery you’re watching for the other players your team might pick for need. Whoever gets Williamson might not actually need a big man but the pundits call him a generational talent. Not likely to surpass Jordan or Lebron in the conversation of the greatest of all time but they’re ready to put up a bust of him in the Hall of Fame. Since there is no NBA hall of fame but the basketball hall of fame do we need to parse between college or the Pro’s? I wouldn’t lock up the people who paid money for their kid to rip off some just as deserving or more deserving kid but the people who perpetrated the scam should definitely be behind bars. The shame of what these parents have done won’t be washed off anytime soon. So watch probably the best tournament in a decade because of so many teams are losing on purpose for the crazy level of talent in this year’s tournament regardless of seeding. But be sure college sports might never be the same. While the small state schools are struggling because they have a direction in their names Northern or Southern something or other and the education is just as valuable. I always said the NCAA was corrupt apparently so are the parents.