The importance of the upcoming weekend series between the Cubs & White Sox cannot be overstated. Back in 1999, the Cubs were playing well with both a winning record and were in contention for a playoff spot. Then, Mike Caruso of the Sox hit a dramatic home run and with the Sox taking 2 out of a 3 game series, that was enough to send the Cubs into a headlong tailspin. The end result was that the Cubs wound up with a losing record.

Given all the problems with the Cubs this season coupled with the fact that it has been reported that there is a dearth of leadership inside the team clubhouse now that Sosa has left, it would appear that the Cubs are in a fragile condition so much so that a defeat at Wrigley next weekend could have results similar to that of 1999.

In order to prevent this from happening, the Cubs need to take a look at how the Baltimore Orioles took 2 out of 4 games from the previously high-flying Sox. They did so by working the count and having quality starting pitching. In other words, no Corey Patterson-like swinging at the first pitch and other such nonsense.

The Cubs lost 2 out of 3 games to a mediocre Washington Nationals team. They are currently sinking towards last place in the NL Central. Dusty Baker simply has to change the way that he manages his team and emphasize plate discipline and the importance of taking walks. He also has to get his pitchers, especially Prior, out of their obsession with getting as many strikeouts as possible and more oriented towards getting as many hitters out with throwing as few pitches as possible.

In other words, the Cubs need to adapt their style of play to accommodate the fact that their lineup no longer has the firepower of Alou & Sosa and stop doing things the way that they have for years or else face catastrophe.