March 31st is less than a week away, and on that day the Chicago Cubs take the field against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Just as in the last 100 years, the Cubs will begin their quest for the World Series title with 32 other teams. This year, the Cubs will also begin their first division title defense in five years.
The expectations are high for a Cubs team that spent a good deal of money upgrading their lineup. The spring has brought a nice preview to what lies ahead for the Cubs, with the exception of a bottom tier spring record.
The Cubs seem to have a closer, a lineup (which was an adventure every day last year), and a starting rotation set for opening day.
The bullpen should be fine if Kerry Wood continues his strong spring, Bob Howry learns to throw strikes again, and Carlos Marmol does what he does best. An injury to Scott Eyre puts the role of left-handed setup man in question.
Hopefully, for the Northsiders' sake, Sean Marshall can hold this position down.
The rotation should be near the top of the National League if Carlos Zambrano decides to pitch the way he did after May. If Zambrano does live up to his potential then 15-18 wins should be a very achievable goal.
Ted Lilly should continue to improve as a pitcher, and should be able to approach 12-15 wins.
Ryan Dempster is a mystery. He could return to his old Florida Marlins days and win double digit starts, or he could throw like a veteran starter who is over the hill.
Rich Hill is also a great mystery. Expect him to take a step back as the managers and hitters have had an entire offseason to dissect his abilities.
Jason Marquis is a nice, overpaid fifth starter. If Marquis decides to concentrate and care for an entire season, then great things can happen for the Cubs. However, if he decides he does not give a darn then every fifth game will be decided by the end of the second inning.
The Cubs' lineup should be improved with a somewhat healthy Alfonso Soriano, and a second helping of several of last year's prominent first year players.
However, the lineup is heavily right handed, and the second year players are prone to the infamous sophomore slump. Below are some expectations for the first eight hitters in the Chicago lineup.
Ryan Theriot
If he can approach the numbers prior to September and continue to steal bases, then the Cubs may have a leadoff hitter for the first time since Kenny Lofton.
Anyone that can get on base more than the Tampa Bay Rays' winning percentage will be an upgrade for the top of the order.
Projected: .280 BA 3 HR 46 RBI 29 SB
Alfonso Soriano
When it comes to the second spot in the lineup, the first thing Soriano must do is get and stay healthy. If he can do that the Cubbies will be fine here, even if he is not your typical No. 2 hitter.
Projected: .292 BA 39HR 96 RBI
Derek Lee
As for Derek Lee in the third spot, he just needs to come back and continue hitting for average and bring up his power numbers. If he plays like he did in August and September, the Cubs will score some runs.
Projected: .314 BA 36 HR 110 RBI
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