I found myself watching a Cubs game in late April and thinking; Man we look pretty good! I know every year Cub fans say this is our year, but the feeling I get watching the 2008 team is totally different from any other Cubs team I've ever seen.
They are a very special team and here are the 10 reasons I think this is "OUR YEAR":
10. Sam Zell, current owner of the Tribune company which owns the Chicago Cubs, is a very savvy business man.
Who would have not sold the Cubs already? Is it because he has the same feeling I do about this team? Does he think this is our year too, driving the sale price of the Cubs way up?
9. Sweet Lou is our coach and not Dusty Baker
Dusty would be too worried about whether or not the players liked him rather than winning. I am so glad I only have to see his wristbands and toothpicks 6 series out of the year.
8. Carlos Marmol.
This kid is filthy with a capital F. Through the his first 22 innings pitched this season he racked up 40 K's while only walking seven batters. He is what I like to refer to as DDFN. Dirty, Disgusting, Filthy, Nasty. I would crap my pants if I was in the box against him.
7. Fukudome and Soto.
Soto leads all rookies in Homers, RBI, SLG, and OPS. Fukudome has great plate discipline. He leads all rookies in hits, walks, and OBP. These guys are ROOKIES! I know Fukudome isn't a traditional rookie, but you talk about an easy adjustment. Don't even get me started on the upgrade he provides to defense in right field.
6. Fukudome's plate discipline has become contagious. The Chicago Cubs have the second most walks in baseball this year. It's nice that Geovany Soto can bat behind Fukudome. I bet Soto's average is 20 points higher than it would be just because of the amount of pitches Fukudome sees.
Intermission...
I'm sorry I have to take a break because I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about this team. There is no greater summer event than taking in a game at the Friendly Confines on a summer day. Old Style in hand of course. I better get back to the countdown before I get off track and go buy Cubs tickets.
5. The Cubs pitching has been overshadowed this season by the offense when in fact the Cubs have the 3rd best ERA in the National League.
Ted Lilly is finally pitching well and what can you say about Ryan Dempster's start? Carlos Zambrano has been lights out while the bullpen continues to be strong.
4. This is a resilient team.
The Cubs have not lost three straight games all season long. If this team somehow continues this, and in the mean time puts together a couple more 7-3 or 8-2 home stands...
3. Strength of Schedule.
The Cubs have played a top 15 schedule thus far. Not too bad, not great, but they still have the best record in the National League.
Meanwhile the Diamondbacks have had the second easiest schedule so far. The team with the easiest schedule so far? The St. Louis Cardinals. (I love taking shots at the STL when I can, and who else is pissed that Jim Edmonds is a Cubbie?)
2. The Offense.
This teams batting is very cyclical so far this year. This means when half the order is hitting the other is not and then they flip flop. There has been the exception a couple of games when the Cubbies pound out 13 plus runs 3 times already.
This squad has speed, power, patience at the plate, hit for average, and play as a team. There are great individual players on this team, no doubt about it, but these guys pick each other up night after night and it's fun to watch.
And the number 1 reason the Chicago Cubs will win the World Series in 2008:
1. This is OUR YEAR!
One hundred years of Cubs baseball and no World Series to show for it. We are the only baseball team to win an '08 World Series so far and I don't think that will change.
This one will be for everyone who ever had an Old Style or who calls the Cubs their team. This one will be for Hack Wilson, Ron Santo, Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Ryno, Andre Hawk Dawson, and most of all for Harry Carey who I'm sure call Cub games up in heaven for everyone.
Well, I can't wait to get there to hear Harry broadcast those games and after this season ends I think I will finally be able to go in peace since the Cubs are going to WIN the World Series this year. GO CUBBIES!!
Please comment on why you think or don't think the Cubs will win it this year.
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4 months ago
Not sure I agree that they will win it all but my bet is that they make a sick run at the end of the year and make it to The Series. Im rooting for them though and Im sure most people are. Do you think they need some middle reliever help though? And how confident are you in Wood?
4 months ago
I expect the Cubs to add a reliever in July to go along with their nasty late inning combo of Marmol and Wood. I also think they will consider trying to trade for Roberts once again, but won't be willing to deal unless MacPhail's offer comes way down.
But the Cubs have a very good team this season. Their offensive numbers are huge, and they have a great ace pitcher.... i believe they also haven't even lost 3 in a row yet this season.. this is a formula for success.
If Ted Lilly OR Ryan Dempster, OR rich hill when he comes back, can give the cubs a big game win or two in October, this team can win the pennant, and with a little luck, end the curse and win the world series.
4 months ago
The problem with a team like the Cubs is that they have no success in the postseason, so they don't know how to get far into it. The best way for a team to ride a wave of momentum to postseason success is with excellent pitching. I don't trust Ted Lilly or Jason Marquis to go out and pitch a big game when it counts. That's why the Cubs were swept last year...if Zambrano can't get a win in Game 1, they're doomed. A 5.14 ERA is not pitching well (Lilly).
from 4 months ago
You have to give Lilly credit where it's due; he got off to a rough start which has left his ERA quite a bit larger than you'd like (especially with fewer starts so far in May than in April), but he's definitely improved quite a bit. As long as he can keep his command in line, he's in a good spot to end the year leading the team--possibly the league--in K's (he's already slightly ahead of Demp and Z)--a good thing to have, since the 'bad guys' can't score runs if they're not making contact.
4 months ago
The old cliche: "As long as they stay healthy." Health is the number one factor that could help or hurt this team in the long run. As they currently are built, they have the right team to lead them through the 100 year misery!
4 months ago
I agree with the health issue. It seems everytime we think they are slated to make a great run a huge injury happens and they can't pick themselves back up. I did like the way when Soriano went on the dl they bounced back. Hopefully that doesn't happen again. He didn't look too hot running the bases last night. I really hope this is their year. Nice article, and Go Cubs!
4 months ago
The biggest change from last year is Ryan Dempster's move to the rotation where he is infinitely more valuable than as a closer. With a Zambrano, Dempster 1,2 punch should get them to the NLCS, but the dbacks will prevail, unfortunately.
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