Sometimes, the facts are the facts: The Cubs lost to the Pirates 4-3 yesterday, giving the North Siders five straight losses in 2010 to a team that hasn't had a winning season since 1992. With the third-highest payroll in the majors, the Cubs are now tied for fourth-most losses in the majors and are only two games better than the Kansas City Royals. Ryan Dempster gave up three runs in the first inning, then surrendered nothing until he left after seven. But it didn't matter, as the Cubs' offense was stuck in neutral and couldn't get the tying run home from third in the ninth. We have no words.

Daily Herald: Pirates hold on for 4-3 victory over Cubs
ESPN Chicago: Clement helps Pirates take first two in Chicago [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Cubs fail in clutch pitching and hitting in 9th [+ video]
Chicago Sun-Times: Cubs are just Pitt-iful

And Justice for Mall
Will Wrigleyville Become the Next Schaumburg?
Some serious change might be coming to Clark and Addison, and it's not just Starlin Castro kickin' it at shortstop. A new plan would bring a 137-unit Hyatt hotel and several potential large-scale retailers, including Best Buy, Dominick's, CVS, and an Apple store, to the southeast corner of the famed intersection. As a result, say goodbye to iO Theater, the Salt & Pepper Diner, Bar Louie, Goose Island, and Red Ivy. Alderman Tom Tunney — the same guy who is opposed to the Toyota sign above the bleachers — is all gung-ho here, calling this a "good development for the neighborhood." Do you agree?

Chicagoist: The city's new political hotspot is... Wrigleyville?
Chicago Sun-Times: Suburbia in Wrigleyville?

A Sign from Above
Infamous Toyota Sign Isn't up Yet, But It's Close....
The Toyota sign hasn't yet made its debut above the left-field bleachers, but it's on its way. We went to the game yesterday, and entered the park on Waveland, across from the fire station. As we headed up the ramp, we saw some higgledy-piggledy red letters on the roof of the ticket office (see photo above). We looked a little closer, and lo, there it was: the Toyota sign. Looks like they're thinking a thumbs-up is inevitable, even though it hasn't gotten the city's final rubber stamp. Interesting.

Waiting for Forever
Hope Is for Dopes, Apparently
Today's Rick Morrissey column in the Sun-Times should come with a warning: "Do not read unless you want to become clinically depressed." Morrissey — who must spend his spare time telling orphans there is no Santa Claus — says there's simply no reason for you to believe the Cubs will win a World Series in your lifetime. The farm system? New owners? Starlin Castro? Don't be silly. "You don't have anything but hope," he sneers. We'd write more, but we have to go find a bridge to jump off of.

Chicago Sun-Times: Cubs fans are hopeful beyond reason

We Feel a Draft
A Look at Starting Pitchers Cubs Could Take in MLB Draft
With this season slowly slip slidin' away, we may as well look to the future. That's what Another Chicago Blog does with a look at the starting pitchers who the Cubs could pick in the upcoming MLB draft, which starts on June 7. Tops on the list is a LSU pitcher named Anthony Ranaudo, who is termed a "major risk." After watching Mark Prior implode, can't we go with someone safe? Other names worth watching include Alex Wimmers, Brett Eibner, and Kaleb Cowart. Now there's baseball name for you.

Another Cubs Blog: 2010 draft primer: starting pitchers

With his next win, Lou Piniella will have 1,800 victories as a manager. We figure he'll hit that mark in August or so.

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