The Sad Saga of the Chicago "DL Duo"

Chicago Cubs head coach Lou Pinella named Wade Miller the team's fifth starter, ending any discussion of Mark Prior making the opening day roster, while Kerry Wood is already on the DL

It has been three tumultuous years since the Cubs were only five outs away from a World Series berth. Mark Prior was on the mound for game six and if that wasn't enough, fellow ace Kerry Wood was geared up for game seven. The Cubs would prove the curse's existence losing to the Florida Marlins as well as their aces of the future, Prior and Wood.

Now, as the 2007 season approaches, the circus that has become Mark Prior and Kerry Wood continues on with a full head of steam. Prior will start the season in the minors, while Wood is working on setting the record for number of times on the designated list (DL), this being his 10th time.

Meanwhile, another pitcher recovering from injury, Wade Miller has looked exceptional this spring. Miller is 2-0 with a 3.63 ERA in five starts, including a solid performance against the San Francisco Giants this past Saturday going five innings, striking out five, and giving up no runs. Miller had shoulder surgery back in 2005 with the Boston Red Sox and pitched in five games last year for the Cubs going 0-2 with a 4.57 ERA.

However, it is Miller who will be able to show is worth to start the season while Mark Prior will have plenty of time to think about his mechanics or why he and Wood have become the biggest weaklings in baseball.

It is hard to believe that since 2003 the "DL Duo" has combined for a meaningless 30 wins, Prior has 18, while Wood only has 12. In 2003 alone, Prior went 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA and struck out 245, while Wood finished at 14-11 with a 3.20 ERA and 266 strikeouts. It was more Wood than Prior that displayed their dominance in the postseason that year as Wood almost single handily took down the Atlanta Braves in the divisional series.

However, today's Chicago Cubs prepared themselves by spending close to $300 million so that Wood and Prior's health would not affect the ball club. The Cubs went out and signed lefty Ted Lilly and former Cardinal Jason Marquis, who will be in the second and third spots of the rotation. The fourth is lefty Rich Hill, and of course the ace is Carlos Zambrano.

In the end, the start to this season is just another headline in the sad saga that is the "DL Duo." You can say they are cursed with bad luck or they don't take care of themselves off the field, but in the end neither of that matters because neither will be on the opening day roster. It is Wade Miller's spot to lose to Mark Prior, but don't bet on it. Miller's numbers this spring have been head and shoulders above Prior, while Wood can't seem to get out of his own way.

After this season, it is time to say goodbye to what was supposed to be the future of the Cubs only three years ago. The story of the "DL Duo" is a tragedy through and through. However, for all Cubs fans, let's hope for the best with whatever they can deliver this year.

It's been 98 years since the Cubs won a World Series, so it's safe to say, hope is all we got.