About 42.5 percent of the season is now over. The Cubs are bad. The White Sox were expected to be better. Much better.
The Sox are 9.5 games behind Detroit, which still has not solved its bullpen woes. The Sox are winning only .420 percent of their games. They have a winning record at home; but have played 9 more games on the road so far this season. The second half schedule will balance that out, but the Sox may be too far in the hole to make any comeback. Injuries, poor defense and the total drought on offense has killed the White Sox chances this season.
The Cubs are roaring along with a .414 winning percentage, tied with the Brewers at 16 games behind the Cardinals. Injuries, poor defense, a total drought on offense and a frustrating bullpen have been the keys to the Cubs poor showing.
So it will be a very long summer for Chicago baseball.
The highlight of their seasons could be the trade deadline. But rational folk will acknowledge that neither team has anything major to offer another club. A relief pitcher for a marginal Class A prospect? A spare outfielder for a marginal Class A ballplayer?
Could you even merge the two Chicago teams roster to have one competitive team?
Not really, because the squads are both playing terrible. I mean, what is the real difference between a Valbuena or a Keppinger? A Barney or a Beckham? A Flowers or a Castillo?
The best Cub player so far was not even on the roster until recently, closer Kevin Gregg, who has 10 saves. The best White Sox player so far may be Alex Rio, but he is still underperforming his massive contract.
The trade season should mirror the regular season: boring for both clubs.
