Era of Rising ERAs (Except for Samardzija’s)

May 31, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Travis Wood was less than good Friday. The Chicago Cubs left-hander allowed seven runs in 2 2/3 innings in what would become an 11-5 loss to the Brewers in Milwaukee. He had entered the game with hopes of becoming the fourth Cubs pitcher in the last 20 years to record five victories in May. Does the phrase “Wait till next year” sound familiar?

For Blackhawks fans (and anyone else), here is Emma Glover who is in video below.

* If it’s any consolation to Cubs fans (and the guess here it just might be for those hoping Jeff Samardzija can win the National League earned-run average title — as a Cub this season), St. Louis right-hander Adam Wainwright gave up seven runs in 4 1/3 innings in a 9-4 loss to visiting San Francisco. Wainwright’s ERA went from a league-best 1.67 to 2.32. Meaning Samardzija leads the NL at 1.68. Optimism abounds.

* Speaking of Samardzija, there is no certainty he will remain a Cub for the entire season. Of course, given the Cubs recent (if you consider a century-plus recent) history, if the Cubs let him go, he will be great elsewhere; if they re-sign him, he won’t be. Pessimism (or is that reality?) abounds.

* The Cubs’ renovation plans for Wrigley Field seem to be going about as well as the onfield rebuilding plans. Which is to say they are not close to much of anything.

* Speaking of ERAs (well, we were a paragraph or two ago), White Sox starters have a 2.21 ERA in their last 10 games. The latest effort was by John Danks (seven innings, two earned runs) — in a 4-1 home loss to San Diego. In their last 10 games, the White Sox are 6-4. Feel free to draw any conclusions from this bits of information.

* One Chicago team that prevailed (yes, the Blackhawks did win in Los Angeles to force a Game 7 in their Western Conference final series vs. the Kings) was the WNBA Sky, which trounced visiting Connecticut 101-82 at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill. Elena Delle Donne had a season-high 28 points and Jessica Breland a season-high 18 for the Sky (5-1). Breland also had 10 rebounds, six assists and give blocks. Courtney Vandersloot set a Sky record with 13 assists. Allie Quigley tied her career high with 15 points for the second consecutive contest. The biggest challenges facing the Sky appear to playoff-oriented: monitoring minutes and being healthy.

* Speaking of basketball, the Miami Heat has reached the NBA finals for the fourth consecutive season. Which has to be good news for the Chicago Bulls. Because LeBron James and Co. will be more tired when the 2014-15 season rolls around. Right?

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