Weekend Six Pack: Talking Chicago Cubs With Cubbies Crib

The Cubs have lost nine in a row? We wanted to get perspective from Chicago and reached out to Jordan with Cubbies Crib to see just what the hell is happening?

What is going on with the Cubs–are they really a sinking ship like that recent article at Cubbies Crib mentioned?

The 2012 Chicago Cubs are exactly the team that Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer said we would see. The Cubs are rebuilding. As they stand now, the Cubs are na organization that has no depth. With recent injuries to the likes of Geovany Soto, Welington Castillo, Steve Clevenger, and Carlos Marmol; the team’s depth has been challenged. The Cubs are not as bad as their current nine game losing streak. But the Cubs are going to stuggle for at least the next two seasons in my estimation. Once Epstein and Hoyer clear the wastes from the previous regime and add prospects that they value to the organization, that is when the Cubs will be going in the right direction.

What’s the biggest weakness of the team heading into this series?

If you were to ask me this a couple weeks ago, there is a strong chance that I would have said bullpen. But the ineptness of the offense can not go without mention. The Cubs are a team that simply has no power. Bryan LaHair got off to a hot start, hitting .350+ to go along with 10 home runs, but the first baseman seems to be coming back down to earth. The potential run producers that the Cubs do have are currently with the Iowa Cubs. Center fielder Brett Jackson, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, and third baseman Josh Vitters all figure to be future building blocks for the Cubs.

Paul Maholm: Love ’em or Hate ’em?

Love em’. Maholm has been an effective pitcher for the Cubs this season. Maholm is currently 4 and 3 on the season to go along with an ERA of 4.73. Though, the inflated ERA is largely due from Maholm’s struggles during the first month of the season. But not only from an on the field perspective, Maholm is a genuinely good guy.

Maholm has been nothing but supportive of his teammates, and is a true breath of fresh air considering some of the previous attendees in the Cubs’ clunhouse prior to the 2012 season.

What can you say about the other Cubs starters for the series?

Ryan Dempster has been the best pitcher in Major League baseball this season. The issue is that with a record of 0 and 2, the average viewer tends to ignore his 2.28 ERA. Matt Garza, who is more likey to be signed to a long-term extension rather than traded, is sliding into the role of being the team’s ace. It is expected that Dempster will be traded this season, and once that move happens, Garza will be the new front-man for the Cubs’ rotation/

How is the new regime being perceived in Chicago after such a short period of time?

Epstein, Hoyer, and the new regime still are favored among the Cubs fan base. Even though fans say they are patient, there have been some grumblings in light of the Cubs’ recent struggles. Rebuilding is something that the Cus have not done for a long time. This current generation of Cubs’ fans may not be familiar with the rebuilding philosophy. But they remain patient, as for the time being, they still trust in Theo.

Predicition for the series?

Pirates take two of three.