Where's the Blame?

With yet another blown opportunity today, it's time to face some facts. Unless this team is significantly upgraded on BOTH offense and bullpen, a sub-.500 season is in the offing. When they had Nomar, one would figure the the offense, the starting pitching and the 18 games each against the Brewers, and Pittsburgh should have gotten them to 85 wins.

No longer.

There won't be enough games with big leads that you don't have to worry about the pen anymore.

So where's the blame go? Why can't this team weather the loss of one of their middle of the order guys?

Do you blame Dusty Baker? Sure, he has some culpability. But whom should he have trusted with the closer job? There's only been 5 save opportunities. He should give it to Wuertz from the get go? No way. With Wuertz's first blown save the pundits would be screaming, "Why didn't you have Hawkins out there?" And they'd be right.

Do you blame Hawkins? Doubtful. Clearly he's been doing a job that he's not capable of doing. You don't blame a guy for failing at a job he doesn't want and is not capable of doing.

So, who is the blame guy? Well, going into the season everyone knew this team was lacking in the pen. Everyone knew this team didn't have a bonafide closer. Everyone knew this team didn't have a legit leadoff hitter. Everyone knew this team was a strikeout heavy lineup.

So whose job is it to cover these holes? Who had to fill these holes last year and didn't?

Can anyone guess?

Anyone?