Diary of a Chicago Sports Fan

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Cubs and White Sox have something in common, starting pitching woes

Okay, anybody else concerned about the Cubs starting pitching? Brett Anderson was the latest Cubs pitcher to get shelled, going .1 inning and giving up 5 earned runs. Anderson left the game with lower back tightness. Look for him to come to a DL near you soon. Mike Montgomery may get his opportunity to crack the Cubs rotation. Of course Anderson isn't the only Cubs starter having problems. The Cubs start reminds of the Blackhawks season after winning the Stanley Cup in 2010. Time to wake up guys.

More bullpen help?

As for last night's game itself, the Cubs lost to the Yankees 11-6. Former Cub, Starlin Castro, had a big night, including a double, homerun and 3 RBIs. Felix Pena and Rob Zastryzny followed Anderson and neither covered themselves in glory. Miguel Montero continued the Cubs tradition of catchers pitching by pitching a scoreless 9^th for the Cubs. What's really odd about that is Montero doesn't have a strong arm for a catcher. Still, he joins John Baker and David Ross as catchers who have helped out the Cubs bullpen.

The White Sox could also use help in their rotation. Dylan Covey went 4 innings, giving up 6 runs on 10 hits in the Sox 6-5 loss to the Orioles. The loss drops Covey's record to 0-3. Sox manager, Rick Renteria, has indicated that Covey's immediate future as a starter will be discussed. Which, in my opinion means he's out.

Possible help?

Covey and Mike Pelfry have been weak links in the Sox rotation. Of course, if James Shields and Carlos Rondon were healthy, that would be a moot point. However, with Rondon on thew 60 day DL and Shields health being iffy, the Sox will probably look at other options unless they've decided to tank.

There is some potential down on the farm. Carson Fulmer and Reynaldo Lopez are both doing fairly well in Charlotte. Both have a record of 3-1. Fulmer's ERA is sitting at 3.18 and Lopez's at 3.94. Both having been going down and both Fulmer and Lopez's peripheral numbers are fairly good. As for Lucas Giolito, he's having a tough time. Don't look for him in Chicago anytime soon.

Positive notes

After Covey's departure, Chris Beck pitched a scoreless 3 innings and Tommy Kahle added a scoreless 8^th.

Jose Abreu and Cody Asche homered for the Sox. Abreu has raised his average to .294. If the Sox look to boost their offense, Yoan Moncado is hitting .337 with an OB of .412 in Charlotte. He should be in Chicago before too long.

More next time.