Panic Setting In?

After 4 games into the season, I wonder Chicago fan base is more troubled so far, Cubs or White Sox fans.

For Cubs fan, a young inexperienced bullpen has led to a few unfortunate outcomes. Sure, Carlos Zambrano started of the season with a stinker on opening day. He only gave up half of the runs that the Atlanta Braves scored that day, though and after the Cubs scored 5 to bring it back to 8-5, the young ones in the bullpen blew it up real good, allowing 8 more runs. Friday night, it happened again, this time Esmailin Caridad was the culprit, giving up a Grand Slam in his set up role after loading the bases on two walks and a hit. A very Carlos Marmol like performance. That ruined the stellar pitching performance from Carlos Silva. And really, who expected to ever hear those words, at all this season. Of course, he left after 71 pitches with "soreness" and well, it sounds like Rich Harden all over again, so I guess that's comforting.

The bullpen isn't the only problem. The lack of offense from key players to start the season has caused manager Lou Pinella to start some bench guys. Geovanny Soto got his second day off in a row because he isn't hitting. Koyie Hill is only at .167 after his 0-3 game with 2 k's, so I'm not sure who Lou plans on putting behind the plate tomorrow. Of course, Ryan Theriot broke out of his 0-fer, going 2-5 to raise his average to .125 and Derek Lee hit a solo homer in the 9th to draw the Cubs to 5-4. After the homer, the Cubs had managed to load the bases with 2 outs, only to have Chad Tracy check-swing a ball back to Reds closer Francisco Cordero for the easy out.

Zambrano takes the mound Saturday to redeem his poor first start and I'm confident that he will lower his ERA after this game. It'll still be double digits after the game, but just not in the fifties.