Come to Think Of It...Cubs Lessons Learned First Week

Now that we've had the opportunity to watch the 2008 Cubs for about a week, what have we learned about the team?

Well, for starters, the starters might actually be pretty good. While I'd been lamenting the lack of a true No. 3 starter, what team doesn't have at least one question mark looming in their rotation?  

True, it's been a sample size of only six games, but if Dempster can continue to pitch like his first start, that's a bonus. Three hits in six innings of work with one earned run was a pleasantly surprising rebirth for the former starter-turned closer-turned starter again.

And Rich Hill didn't pitch poorly, giving up four hits in six innings with two earned runs and sloppy defense behind him. Jason Marquis wasn't at his best in his first start, giving up eight hits and four earned runs in just over five innings.

Hey, at least he's hitting .500. He even has the same number of RBIs as Theriot and Ramirez.   

As to how the front end of the rotation has fared, Zambrano has been very solid thus far. Unlike previous years when Big Z would start slowly, his first two starts have resulted in the following line: 13.2 IP, two runs, and just one walk to go with 12 strikeouts. His ERA stands at 1.32.

Especially striking (pun intended) was Z's pitching line today: 72 strikes in 106 pitches.

Lilly, on the other hand, had a rough go of it his first start, giving up five hits in less than 5 IP, with four earned runs.

He pitched slightly over his head last year and may be due for a correction in 2008.  Still, it's not a bad one through five with Jon Lieber waiting in the wings. Should there be a trade or an injury, we will be lucky to have the veteran ready to go.

Ah, but as Lou himself said, you can't win when you're scoring two or three runs a game. But the Cubs have split their first six games despite Soriano getting only two hits in 26 ABs.  Ramirez and Theriot are just south of the Mendoza line.  Soto is hitting only .188

And that's a positive thing when you add in the hitters who are off to strong starts.

Fukudome is as good as advertised, hitting .421 in 19 trips to the plate, and demonstrating the patience that was much discussed and, given the Cubs traditional allergy to walks, much needed.   

Derrek Lee has been on fire! Three home runs and a .400 average with six consecutive hits in one stretch is mighty good, my friends.

To continue, DeRosa is hitting .350 and Fontenot has three hits in six ABs, so the bats seem to be in working order even if Soriano looks lost at the plate.

(By the way, anyone besides me notice how much weight Aramis Ramirez has lost? I mean, it appears to be a significant amount. I hate to be suspicious, but if his power numbers drop off, watch for the inevitable whispers about the juice).

What else have we learned? Oh yeah, the bullpen is starting to settle down as I figured. Too much talent there to be sloppy for long.

And Kerry Wood is healthy and pitching well. Kid K has three saves in three chances despite a 6.75 ERA.  Has anyone seen Joe Borowski lately?

Wood's only bad outing was in a non-save situation opening day. Lots of otherwise great closers have struggled in just such a situation, lacking the adrenaline perhaps that the save opportunity provides.

All in all, I see positive signs for the Cubs despite a so-so 3-3 record. True, they need to do better than a .500 winning percentage at home, but they just as easily could have been 5-1 this homestand.

As for their competition, the Brewers are good, but don't worry, they started out hot last year and then cooled off faster than a girlfriend becoming a wife. Milwaukee was 24-10 after their first 34 games last year before coming back to the pack.

And the Cardinals? Nice start, and you have a good manager in LaRussa, but don't yet make any plans for October.  

I'm guessing that Cincinnati will be sniffing around all year, despite trusting in Dusty. And I don't see anyone, including the Cubs, running away with the division.

Still, the Cubs have the best overall team in the Central. Will it be good enough to win in the playoffs? Well...let's worry about that when (and if) the time comes. First things first.

Come to think of it, "first" has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?