Epstein defends slow-starting Arrieta and Schwarber

When Theo Epstein speaks, people listen.

When he curses, you should also listen.

The Chicago Cubs team president touched on his club's slow start to the year and the quotable Epstein didn't hold back.

"Right around this time last year we were 25-6 and I was getting asked non-sarcastic questions about how we were going to manage the push for the greatest record of all time versus resting guys for the playoffs and I called B.S. on that," Epstein said, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers.

"And now I'm getting asked if we're going to send everyday guys down to Triple-A or if we're going to consider selling. I call B.S. on that too."

Although it's fair to assume the club will turn it around, there are a few areas of concern. For starters, no pun intended, Jake Arrieta has been very bad, as evidenced by a 5.33 ERA and 1.46 WHIP this season. Epstein defended him, and also went on to defend Kyle Schwarber (.187/.315/.367), who has gotten off to a similarly poor start.

"(Arrieta) hasn't locked in his delivery yet," Epstein said. "When he does things will be different."

"(Schwarber's) going to have tremendous production by the end of the year. He's going to have a lot of big hits to help us win games. (This slump) just means there's a lot of hits out there for the rest of the year."

Perhaps Tuesday's win, which saw manager Joe Maddon record his 1,000th career victory, will spark the team.