What We've Seen of the Chicago Cubs; and Michelle Beadle

"The Cubs are who we thought they were", but then again, who did we think they were? In fact, who are they? Coming off a solid sweep of the error-infested Washington Nationals, the Cubs looked indifferent and at times incoherent against the spirited,  World Series repeat-driven Philadelphia Phillies. Now I understand, it's only one game. They could still go out and take the series and end an impressive road trip at 6-1. And I hope they do, but they have inexplicably lost focus and drive at some of the most important moments in this half-season. Instead of incorporating the momentum they achieved in Washington, D.C., they laid an egg in Philadelphia.

I know many Cubs fans developed a few more gray hairs during the fourth inning on Monday night against the Phillies. Alfonso Soriano must have taken some of the Washington Nationals mantra with him to Citizens Bank Park when he let a line drive land in between him and Kosuke Fukudome for a Carlos Ruiz RBI-double and later let a ball pop out of his glove on the warning track for his Major League-leading 8th error of the season. As maddening as that was, at least Alfonso Soriano is who we thought he was. Having gone 6 for his last 11 including two home runs in his last three games, his bat is starting to show the same pop we've always known he has. Meanwhile, his glove is showing the same incapacity we've also known him to possess. It wasn't surprising to see him misplay two balls hit to him. He's done that since he's been with the Cubs. As long as he hits, this is the guy the Cubs paid for. As for the rest of the team, these hitters need to hit because the Phillies own one of the scariest lineups in the game today.

On a side note, has anyone seen Michelle Beadle on ESPN's new show, Sportsnation? I'm normally pretty critical of female sports broadcasters and sports reporters because I don't like when networks will hire some woman just because she's attractive. There are men out there (and probably other women, too) who are more knowledgeable and invested in sports than the women that these major networks keep pushing out there. But I'm really liking Michelle Beadle. The main reason is that she doesn't act like she is more privy to sports than her viewers. Maybe she does know more, but she's not arrogant about it. At first glance, one might think she is just another attractive ESPN anchor, but watching her, you will notice she's fun-loving with Colin Cowherd, has unique charisma, and she makes funny voices. When I like a sports radio or TV personality, I usually think about him/her as, "Would I like to have a drink and chat sports with them?" Michelle Beadle seems like a fun person to chat with. I'll give some credit to the YES network for bringing Beadle to the sports world. Let me know what you think!