Cubs lose today 8-2, their eighth in a row and follows losses of 3-8, 4-9, 1-6, 0-2, and 5-9.

Pitching not good.

The White Sox have scored about the same amount of runs over the last 2 weeks but are winning games while the Cubs are losing. I've already pounded on the defense, so let's look at pitching.

Cubs have fallen to 10th in NL in ERA, wins, earned runs allowed, 15th in home runs allowed, 15th in walks allowed,

On the plus side, they are leading the league in strike outs. So they've got that going for them. Which is nice.

So, how to sum up? While the Sox still show no regular started hitting over .300, they've won 74 games and just took 2 of three from the $200mil Yanks in Yanktown. The Cubs have twice the Sox payroll, and just got swept by the Mets and Reds. Why? Pitching and defense. As Kenny Williams and the Sox marketing department call 'em...Grinders.

Meanwhile, the Cubs have Wood, Zambrano, Garciaparra, and now Aramis Ramirez playing hurt. Do your 3 million paying fans a favor and REST THEM. Please. Shut Wood down. Put Ramirez on the DL. Play Nomar every other day and if Carlos really isn't healthy with his back and toe, then rest him too.

September call ups can't come soon enough. Hopefully Hendry will give Dusty orders to play the kids for the month so we can see what we've got.

On the horizon, 7 games against St. Louis and Houston, with the entire SL staff coming in with an extra day's rest. My best guess is they might win 1 of 4 from the Cardinals.