Not Long Until Wood Is Shelved
By Mike J.
Dropping a well-played, tight game to the Braves isn't such a bad thing. Atlanta's on the top of their division and while losing never feels good, losing to a playoff team that put Tim Hudson on the mound for all 9 innings is the kind of loss that's acceptable.
Unfortunately for the Cubs, no losses are acceptable at this point, especially after losing two of three to the Rockies to completely undo their efforts against the Astros the series before. Another great Zambrano start was wasted, but the real disappointment comes from Kerry Wood, who gave up another home run, this time to seal the Cubs' fate in the 9th. After looking unhittable in his first 7 relief appearances, he's looking more like the Kerry Wood we've got to know quite well after the '03 postseason: flashes of brilliance separated by the long ball.
The way the team is playing and the way Wood is pitching, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him shelved and go under the knife before the season ends. I understand that the Cubs need to have the appearance of trying to make the playoffs to try and draw fans, but at some point very soon next year will have to come to the front of the minds of Jim Hendry and Dusty Baker.
Things aren't getting any easier for the Cubs with the Marlins visiting after the Braves leave town, and short of those teams putting on Cardinals jerseys, the Cubs will likely flounder at the plate and in the field for the rest of the week.
Current NL Wild Card prediction: The Florida Marlins.
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