Cubs Preview

As someone who lives and breathes baseball, I am ridiculously excited to get this season started.  As a fan of the Northsiders and objective baseball fan of the other team that resides on the other side of town, I have a good feeling about this season.   I foresee both teams making it to the postseason this year and here is why.

Cubs Breakdown :
Starting Rotation : This rotation is pretty steady 1-4 with Cashner being the wild card.  I know some people might be skeptical of Randy Wells, but I think Wells is going to return to his rookie year numbers and be a steady number 4 starter.  I think if Randy can win 12-14 games this season and post around a 3.75 ERA which I think would be fantastic out of the Cubs number 4 starter. I am expecting much less from Cashner and I would be happy with 20 quality starts out of his 30.  As long as he can keep the Cubs in games I will be happy.  The top 3 I believe need to win 15 games each this year.  If they don't, we are in for a long awful season.  If those guys can do what they have done for the majority of their careers, things will be good and the Cubs will be able to to win around 87 -88 games.

Bullpen : This is the strength of the Cubs in my opinion.  Marshall - Wood - Marmol. Game over.  I love the backend of this Cubs bullpen this year.  Also look out for Marcus Mateo this year.  Kid throws 98 MPH and is another power arm that can help get you to the big boys in the back.  I think Wood will be extremely helpful in bring these kids along.  This bullpen is as deep as it has been in years with probably Shark being the weak link, but who cares because if Shark is getting a lot of action, the season is busted anyways.

Defense : This is the weak link.  I feel the Cubs have strong defensive OF, but the IF needs some work.  Pena will need to save this team a lot of errors like D-Lee did over the years.  Castro and whoever starts at 2B need to be better than they have been in the spring.  They have been awful.  Ramirez is Ramirez. Some good, some bad, but average.  Soto needs to be better behind the dish this year at just about everything.  He couldn't throw anybody out and was horrible at blocking balls in the dirt. This team needs to be able to pick up the ball this year and help their pitchers out. They did not do that last year and it cost them their season. 

Offense : Last year, this offense was dormant until July.  I'm expecting much more this season from this offense.  With Ramirez and Pena in contract years, you have to think their performances will be better. I think Castro is going to have a huge year.  I'm thinking .315, 15 HRs, 75RBIs and an OBP around .370.   I really believe that Quade has a way of motivating players and that this team can make a run behind him.  If the Cubs can get anything out of Soriano and Fukodome then I am even more bulled up on them.  I mean I have no idea who the hell is going to play second base, I'm hoping its Darwin Barney.  Quite possibly the best name in baseball for my money.  Kid wins. kid plays hard. I like him....a lot.  Long story short. Cubs score runs. Cubs win the division. Go Cubs Go.