It seems like everyone is talking about the Cubs this Monday, but that's not necessarily a good thing. Peter Gammons talks about the Cubs first in his list of teams with dismal starts, outlining all the injuries the Cubs have suffered. Just for kicks, here's the injury report from Sunday's game preview at ESPN.com:

Nomar Garciaparra, SS (Groin; 15 Day DL. 4/21)
Todd Walker, 2B (Knee; 15 Day DL. Out 4-6 weeks. 4/11)
Aramis Ramirez, 3B (Back; Questionable Tue. vs Pit. 5/16)
Chad Fox, RP (Arm; 15 Day DL. 4/27)
Scott Williamson, RP (Elbow Surgery; 60 Day DL. 3/31)
Joe Borowski, RP (Broken Forearm; 15 Day DL. Out 6-8 weeks. 3/25)
Kerry Wood, SP (Shoulder; 15 Day DL. 5/3)
Ryan Dempster, SP (Forearm; Questionable Tue. vs Pit. 5/16)
Carlos Zambrano, SP (Forearm; Left game early. Questionable for next start. 5/15)
Aramis Ramirez, 3B (Abdominal; Questionable Fri. vs Was. 5/12)
I don't think I'll comment on the expansive nature of the list right now. Anyway, Rotoworld mentions the Cubs as well in it's weekly team-by-team roundup, saying:

"Joe Borowski is also expected back before the end of the week. He would
have been activated already if he was throwing harder in Triple-A."

They also note that Jerry Hairston probably won't see much playing time in the next week, especially since Todd Walker could be back Friday. Even the good news is lined with cautious pessimism.

I'm also talking about the Cubs today, but that's not really unusual. What bothered me about yesterday's game? Besides the obvious (the Cubs lost), a pair of reasons chafed at me:

1. Neifi 2005 looked, well, like Neifi 2003. Not much can be worse than booting 2 ground balls in one inning to tie the game, but his foul bunt with 2 strikes in the first inning was pretty damn close. Dusty looked pretty livid in the dugout, so I'm guessing it was Neifi's own brilliant decision. Just because no one suspects a bunt with 2 strikes doesn't mean it's a good idea.
2. Corey Patterson folded like he was doing laundry when it came to pressure situations at the plate last night. Bags loaded? Well, better swing at the first pitch and pop it foul, right? Corey's made some big strides at the plate this year (he did start the game with a walk on 4 pitches, for example), but he's clearly got some work to do still.

Thankfully, today's an off day. That means I've got time to catch up on all this "homework" that's due for "class," concepts that are becoming increasingly unfamiliar to me as graduation approaches. Tomorrow is the Pirates, though, and hopefully a stop at PNC will give the Cubs a boost going into the Red Line series that awaits them in Chicago this weekend.

(Originally posted at Old Style Cubs. Please read responsibly.)