Wrap-Up: Chicago Cubs Vs. Minnesota Twins

June 8, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hitter Alfonso Soriano (12) hits a home run during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

If you are a video game player and a baseball fan, chances are you have played a variation of the MLB: The Show series on Playstation 3. Imagine that you are playing a game, and you are in the middle of a blowout. Around the seventh inning, Rex Hudler–who is one of the announcers for the game–explains what has gone wrong for the team on the wrong side of the blowout. Hudler says(and I’m paraphrasing) ” the pitching’s been awful, the hitting’s been awful, the fielding has been awful…”

It was that type of game for the Chicago Cubs on Saturday against the Minnesota Twins. When all was said and done, the Cubs were dealt with yet another loss after the Twins pounded out 11 runs to the Cubs 3 on Saturday.

There was one slight bright spot for the Cubs on Saturday. That bright spot being that Alfonso Soriano hit another home run for the Cubs, hitting a two run home run in the eighth inning of Saturday’s loss.

If the Cubs’ front office is going to trade Soriano, they need to take advantage of his recent power surge. Especially when Soriano is proving that he could be a potent designated hitter for an American League team.

The issue is that this power streak by Soriano is not going to last forever. In fact, history has proven that this type of streak by Soriano only lasts a month at the most. Once this power surge by Soriano concludes, it is likely that Soriano will enter a cold streak. Unfortunately for the Cubs, that cold streak could come around the same time as the July 31 trade deadline. That is something that the Cubs’ front office can not afford to happen. There are teams like the Toronto Blue Jays that have been looking to upgrade offensively, and Epstein should be dangling Soriano in front of them and any other American League team thast is in need of offensive help.

Nonetheless, lets get to the game notes.

What Went Right: Well there was that…no nevermind. But what about….no. There wasn’t anything that went right for the Cubs on Saturday. Sure, Soriano had a two run home run, but that came well after the Twins had already put up 11 runs on the scoreboard. Though, Jairo Asencio did pitch an inning and two thirds of shutout baseball.

What Went Wrong: Jeff Samardzija was all kinds of bad on Saturday as the starting pitcher allowed 8 runs on 9 hits and 1 base on balls in 3.2 inning pitched. Casey Coleman wasn’t any better as the reliever allowed 3 runs on 6 hits and 2 base on balls. While the Cubs had 11 hits, the team was 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position and left 8 runners on base.

Whatc Was interesting: Jeff Baker got the start over Bryan LaHair at first base with the left handed Scott Diamond on the mound for the Cubs. Cubs manager Dale Sveum has taken a liking to giving LaHair a day off when a left handed is on the mound for the opposing team. The way I see it, LaHair has been the Cubs strongest run producer this season. LaHair is also still trying to prove that he can be a piece to build around for the long-term future. Under that thought process, one would think that LaHair would be given an opportunity everyday. LaHair has proven that he can hit left handers in the past, and Sveum needs to give him the chance to prove it again.