The public perception is that the Cubs are doing just fine, even though they are 6.5 games behind the Cardinals.
However, there is panic on the South Side as the White Sox are off to a slow start, a couple of suspensions, and major criticism of its manager, Robin Ventura. The strength of the White Sox, its starting rotation, has faltered (including Chris Sale getting lit up by the lowly Twins) as well as the revamped offense.
But despite all the faults, flaws and losses, the White Sox are also 6.5 games out of first place.
The Cubs are trying to rebuild their bullpen on the fly by bringing back Russell and Grimm. The Cubs have been consistently getting on base and scoring runs, but the bullpen has ballooned to a 7 ERA in the past week. But there is no panic in Wrigleyville. Maddon continues to give the beat reporters his daily quips so everything is ice cream and rainbows.
Meanwhile, the press is looking for hangman's rope for Ventura. But he has a veteran team that should come around as the weather heats up. Carlos Rodon's first start started rocky but smoothed out for his first career victory. It would seem that Rodon will push himself into the Sox rotation earlier than expected as Noesi has an injury.
It is another tale of two teams within one city. The Cubs are getting all the attention since the White Sox have given the press little to cheer. The White Sox have a modern ball park with cheap ticket prices for families but that gets little attention to the Cubs open construction site debris field still draws large crowds.
The perceptions of the teams is completely different. But both teams are basically in the same situation: 6.5 games out of first place.
