Half-way through the Wrigleyville Rollercoaster.

If the second half of the Cubs season is anything like the first season, I’m going to need a sickness bag. From anguish to hope to dumbfoundedness and back to hope, it has been a rough first half for the Cubs and their fans. Only the Cubs could go on a tear through the West coast after losing two of their top pitchers and then lose eight straight when they get them back. Yes, it’s that kind of season.

The good things this season: The best thing the Cubs did this season was trade Sosa. This probably should have happened a year earlier so they could have gotten more in return. Many questioned the Cubs being able to replace the power numbers of Sosa. Well, I think any intelligent baseball fan could have seen the inevitable drop off for Sosa. If we had kept Sosa, Patterson wouldn’t feel so bad about the boos he got. Alou is one the Cubs miss, despite his feud with the Cubs announcers. The acquisition of Burnitz has turned out fairly well, despite two major gaffes the last month. Dempster in the closer’s role has worked out rather well. I wish Dusty had stuck by his spring training plans, but I realize losing Prior and Wood put him in a bind to find capable starters. Am I now completely confident when Dempster takes the mound in the ninth? Hell no. But it’s better than Hawkins, who the Cubs were somehow able to deal to the Giants for a promising starter in Williams and one of their top first round draft picks. Other GM’s must feel like the frolicking couple in a slasher film when they see Hendry. They know they’re screwed. Ramirez has been putting up his regular numbers once he got over that groin issue. The Cubs spot starters did a nice job keeping the Cubs afloat while Prior and Wood were on the DL. Though, if we had kept Clement, it wouldn’t have been that bad. The first two months of Perez was a nice bonus. The best thing that has happened this season is obviously Derrek Lee. It’s amazing what learning how to turn on the inside pitch can do for your game. With Lee, Burnitz, and Ramirez as our 3,4,5 hitters, the Cubs have a solid heart of the order. They just don’t have anyone else hitting.

The bad things this season: Losing Garciaparra for the first 2/3rds of the season was a nasty blow. This has really been evident now that Perez has come back to reality and is hitting under .200 the last 30 days. Losing Prior and Wood was obviously a blow. It’s put a heavy burden on our starters and bullpen. Speaking of bullpen, it’s the bane of the Cubs existence. Dempster being the only consistent bullpen pitcher we have has put games out of reach for the Cubs so often it’s become evident that changes need to happen. The last game in the Washington series being a perfect example. The Cubs came back from two down only to have the bullpen give up two more runs, which the Cubs came back from again, only to finally lose the game. Bullpen should be the Cubs main concern, but since it’s clearly every other teams concern, the Cubs may have to deal with what they have. The other big missing piece is a lead off man. Patterson was never a lead off guy and never will be. He’s not that kind of player, and Dusty shouldn’t have been so blind to see this. With Kotsay signing an extension with Oakland that leaves not many players available that could fit the role. My best suggestion would be Lawton from Pittsburgh. He’s better than anyone else we have, and the Pirates have to deal him. There have been rumors of the Cubs acquiring Preston Wilson from the Rockies, which would be a big mistake. The man is hitting .258…in Colorado! The Cubs need a leadoff man. It’s a simple as that. If they had a guy who could consistently get on base, Lee would already have 100 RBI.

I don’t know if the Cubs can make the playoffs. I would have a little more hope if they didn’t have to chase the Braves, who consistently play better in the second half. I do have hope though. I hope they make it. Because, with are top three starters, anything can happen.

Finally the ugly of the first half.