Most people wouldn’t think to compare the spark professional sports teams seek with Shakespearean love, but I love the analogy. It burns brightly at first but is extinguished equally as quickly. Think Romeo and Juliet.

Every sports team is looking for that Willis Reed moment when his mere appearance on the court saved the Knicks. Most people forget he really wasn’t very effective in the game, and they really only needed him for that game.

Closer to home and more to the point, Kirk Gibson provided that spark for the Dodgers in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series when he hit the home run off of Dennis Eckersley. However, it wasn’t sustained as he only had the one at-bat in the Series.

As everyone is quick to point out, we’re only a month into the 2023 MLB season. Several teams are searching for that spark that will breathe fire into a moribund team. In reality, teams need sustained success or production.

The Cubs have talked about getting a boost at some point in the season, even before this horrible 16 roadtrip (against two lousy teams. Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins constructed the Cubs 26-man roster with the intent of infusing young talent when necessary. However, they expected the young talent to actually contribute to the team’s season success. We all have different ideas as to what that “success” means. Hoyer mistakenly stated the one-run games weren’t worth worrying about, he was more concerned with the blowouts (both sides). However, on the last trip to Florida and D.C, the Cubs lost 5 one-run games. If the Cubs could hit the broad side of an empty outfield, they might have won three more games.

Last season, rookie Christopher Morel provided the Cubs with more than a spark. His attitude and initial production was unlike anything we’ve seen in years. Frank Schwindel and Patrick Wisdom had great first years, but was less energetic.

The once ballyhooed offense has floundered of late-specifically over their past 7 games. Here are the raw numbers with hits/at-bats and homers/RBI over their past 7 games. Forget hard hit balls and launch angle. Conversely, the Cubs starting pitching has been very good.

Patrick Wisdom 5/22, 2/3, Seiya Suzuki 7/27, 0/2, Cody Bellinger 8/27, 2/3, Yan Gomes 9/21, 2/5, Ian Happ 6/21, 1,1, Trey Mancini 8/22, 0/2, Nico Hoerner 5/28, 0/3, Eric Hosmer 7/22, 1/2, Dansby Swanson 8/28, 1/3. The primary first basemen-Mancini and Hosmer haven’t really been the problems this past week, as you can note. Yet, the particular spark they appear to be bringing up next is Matt Mervis.

Interestingly, the Cubs have a +42-run differential, yet they have a very mediocre 15-16 record. Obviously, they haven’t been able to convert all of this great offense effectively.

As far as their starting pitching goes, nobody can tell how long their good fortunes will last. However, with Jameson Taillon’s return and the imminent return of Kyle Hendricks are seen as long term solutions. Unfortunately, in Hendricks case, there is less to be hopeful about. Over the past three seasons, Hendricks has been inconsistent (at best). Due to injuries he’s been limited to 346.2 innings. We’ll dismiss his won-loss record because we’re not allowed to discuss wins by starters. What’s worrisome and more predictive is his home run rate. He’s served up 56 long balls or one every 6.2 innings. Unlike Fergie Jenkins, they haven’t all been late-inning solo shots either. He’s posted a very pedestrian 4.34 ERA since 2020.

The Cubs need for Morel, Mervis, and prospect Brennan Davis to exceed expectations and to perform like seasoned veterans. They’re not looking for flashes from Taillon and Hendricks, but rather for performances that are reflective of their long-term histories.

The Cubs early season success may have confused all of us. For a moment or three, we thought the team was better than it is. There is nothing wrong with that, but it make may the rollercoaster ride a little more harrowing.