I have to be careful about how I describe what happened tonight. Apparently, if I use the term "blows" and the name "Kerry Wood" in the same sentence, then certain jabrones (plural of the term jabroni, not jabrone) out there might claim that I said Kerry Wood sucks and will then scold me for having done so. So, bare with me and my self-edits.

Our closer is now pitching like the Kerry Wood of yore. Any time he steps onto the mound, I have bouts with anxiety. Tonight was no exception, as I now feel that no lead is safe with Wood as the closer. Unfortunately for the Cubs and fortunately for Wood's career, there is no easy alternative as Carlos Marmol flat out needs to remain as the setup man for now. However, don't be surprised if Jim Hendry starts shopping around for effective middle relievers if only so Wood can be delegated to the less-stressful mop-up role as the season progresses.

In other words, Wood's leash has to be very short right now. I know that like a lot of Cub fans out there, my inclination is to be an apologist and say something like, "well, he's just not comfortable out there yet and we need to give him time to get right." Except Wood is a professional playing in a highly competitive sport in which any other guy is expected to get right before the end of March. He had his month to get comfortable. Now is the time to perform.

Therefore, I'm going to step up and predict that our heroic Cub with legendary stuff and a history as long as the shadows at Wrigely at dusk will be working in some other capacity by mid May ... if he doesn't buckle down right now and start doing his job. And I wouldn't be too suprised if Piniella doesn't even give him that much time to right himself.

I'd go into detail about the rest of the game, but I'm not really in the mood. A great performance by Carlos, though. I laughed when he hit his homerun.

Series Recap: Let's be realistic here. The Cubs lost the battle but they are winning the war. While the Brewers took two of three, I feel completely confident that Chicago will own Milwaukee before it's all said and done. The problem for the Brewers is simple: Ned Yost. Guy's an idiot. Like Dusty Baker before him, it will be hard for any team to win with that kind of manager.

Current Record: 17-11
Standing in the central: 2nd place, .5 games behind St. Louis
Best possible record: 151-11
On pace for: 98-64
Record necessary for 120 wins: 103-31