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There is no better word to describe the Cubs’ play in the recent two-game series against the Cardinals. The Cubs lost every aspect of the series. The Cardinals hit better, pitched better and, worst of all, were simply better people than the Cubs.

I’m willing, with just a bit of hesitation, to accept Carlos Zambrano’s actions Monday night. This isn’t the NFL -- guys ought to be allowed to show a little emotion. But LaTroy Hawkins’ ninth-inning meltdown left me shaking my head, as it was a perfect, living example of a team unraveling before our eyes.

On June 23, the Cubs began the day 40-30 and one game behind St. Louis for first place in the N.L. Central. That game saw the Cardinals blow two leads, only to see the Cubs choke away a four-run advantage, allowing the winning run to score on a passed ball in the eighth inning. That also is the game in which Michael Barrett erupted and got ejected, biting the Cubs later in the game when Paul Bako had to bat in a crucial situation.

Since that time, the Cubs are just 9-14. That includes 5-1 against the White Sox, which means the Cubs were just 4-13 the rest of the time, all of those games coming against division opponents (including the memorable three-game sweep at the hands of the Brewers).

Yes, the Cubs still had some injuries to deal with, and yes, this was the toughest part of the Cubs schedule. With St. Louis in the rear view mirror (and the Astros in an even worse tailspin), the most intimidating part about the rest of 2004 schedule is 10 games with the Brewers between now and August 25.

The Cubs have yet to feast on the likes of the Expos, and likely will play a role in the N.L. East race with three more games against Atlanta and New York and six each against the Marlins and Phillies (starting Friday). With the exception of Arizona, the Cubs get every team in the N.L. West three more times, and LA and San Diego have to come to Chicago.

Is the division title race over? Not yet. There are 10 weeks left in the season and the Cubs are 10 games out. Picking up a game each week is an attainable goal. However, sane people must realize the Wild Card is a much more plausible hope for getting into the postseason.

While the Cubs had, for most of the first half, enjoyed the second-best record in the league, that no longer is true. The Dodgers have been at least as hot as St. Louis, and the Giants are keeping pace. Meanwhile, the N.L. East has become even more competitive, so the Cubs find themselves floundering with no clear path to anywhere.

Of the 69 remaining games, 33 are against divisional opponents, 36 against teams from the East and West. The Cubs must put all of this St. Louis stuff behind them and, as a team, commit to winning one game per day. It starts today against Cincinnati, which has a half-game advantage on the Cubs so far. By taking two from the Reds and heading to Philadelphia with some momentum, perhaps the Cubs can allow their fans to breathe a bit easier heading into August.

Failing that, I suggest a mass ritual suicide. This season is almost getting to be too much to take.