Bleacher Report - Articles by Josh Tolleson

The Long Road to October: Final Edition

Josh Tolleson — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:07:25 -0400

It's the final stretch, the fourth quarter! It's time to find out how the Cubs will perform in 2009, or at least according to my projections.

This is the fourth and final installment of my Cubs 2009 in-depth preview and predictions. You can read Part One, Part Two, and Part Three to see how the Cubs have fared up to this point.

Through 124 games, I have the Cubs at an impressive 72-52 record. Will they be able to reach 100 games with 38 games remaining? It won't be easy, so let's find out!

August 25—August 27 (three-game series)
Washington Nationals @ Chicago Cubs

Despite being amongst the worst teams in the majors last season, the Nationals gave the Cubs all they could handle, splitting the season series 3-3.

Expect the Cubs to play lights out the remainder of the way. If Lou sticks to his idea of resting his regulars, we could see Lee and/or Ramirez rested for a game this series. With a comfortable lead in the division, it'll be a playoff atmosphere in Wrigley.

Prediction—Cubs win two of three

August 28—August 30 (three-game series)
New York Mets @ Chicago Cubs

Speaking of playoff atmospheres, it'll be exciting when the Mets roll into town. Everyone knows Johan Santana thrives in the second half. Will K-Rod still be closing? Or will his health or production falter?

The Mets will likely be in a dog-fight for the NL East, so look for them to bring their absolute best. I have the Mets winning the series, but the Cubs will play well and begin positioning themselves for an October run.

Prediction—Cubs lose two of three

August 31—Sept. 2 (three-game series)
Houston Astros @ Chicago Cubs

We say farewell to our friends from Houston. While the Astros have been known to put late-season runs together, don't expect a pitching-depleted Houston squad to do the same this season.

There's a strong possibility several Astros starters have been dealt away at this point of time, so look for the Cubbies to take advantage of a less-than-stellar Astros ballclub.

Prediction—Cubs win two of three

Sept. 4—Sept. 6 (three-game series)
Chicago Cubs @ New York Mets

The Cubs final get a taste of the Mets' new ballpark. It remains to be seen whether or not it'll be hitter or pitcher-friendly, but the Cubs will be out for revenge following the tough series the Mets brought them the week prior.

I predict the Cubs pitching will be absolutely lights-out in September, and it'll start in New York. Momentum will be built from this series. I like the Cubs to upset the Mets in their backyard.

Prediction—Cubs win two of three

Sept. 7—Sept. 9 (three-game series)
Chicago Cubs @ Pittsburgh Pirates

Twenty of the Cubs games in September will be against NL Central rivals, so in the event that they're in a tough division race, the division will be won or lost come September.

However, I predict the Cubs will have the Central wrapped up quite early. Expect plenty of young callups to get looks for the Pirates squad this series. The Cubs offense should have little problem with a youthful Pirates pitching staff.

Prediction—Cubs win two of three

Sept. 11—Sept. 13 (three-game series)
Cincinnati Reds @ Chicago Cubs

Cub fans will be glad to see the Reds for the final time in 2009. Expect a highly- competitive series with plenty of offensive firepower, perhaps from newly-acquired talent from both teams.

The Reds will provide a good test for the Cubs, who follow up this series with a crucial four game affair with Milwaukee. I like the Cubs to keep their momentum rolling.

Prediction—Cubs win two of three

Sept. 14—Sept. 17 (four-game series)
Milwaukee Brewers @ Chicago Cubs

This could be the season for the Brewers, or simply a tune up for the Cubs as October quickly approaches. Like all games at Wrigley in September, expect an electric atmosphere with a playoff-feel.

It'll be interesting to see the state of the Brewers pitching rotation. Following the huge acquisition of Sabathia last season, don't expect the Brewers to just field a Triple A ballclub in September. They should give the Cubs a tremendous series, with a split resulting.

Prediction—Cubs win two of four

Sept. 18—Sept. 20 (three-game series)
Chicago Cubs @ St. Louis Cardinals

The final skid of the Cubs 2009 season will come at the hands of the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. A likely MVP contender, Pujols should be a beast in this series. The key, of course, will be the Cardinals pitching staff. Will Carpenter still be healthy? Who will be closer?

I expect the Cubs to stumble this series. Fortunately, this will be the final series they lose for the year. If the Cardinals are in contention, which I predict they will be, expect them to defeat the Cubbies.

Prediction—Cubs lose two of three

Sept. 21—Sept. 23 (three-game series)
Chicago Cubs @ Milwaukee Brewers

As the season draws to an end, the Cubs regulars should begin getting rested in preparation for the playoffs. Depending on where the Brewers are in the standings, the Cubs will face a team with their backs to the wall.

Look for the Cubs to burst out of their funk and take care of business in Milwaukee. The only joy Brewer fans may get out of this series, besides one win, is the sausage races.

Prediction—Cubs win two of three

Sept. 24—Sept. 27 (four-game series)
Chicago Cubs @ San Francisco Giants

Hey, the Cubs will finally get to make a visit to beautiful AT&T Ballpark in San Francisco. Not considered to be a contender for the '09 campaign, the Giants will likely be marching out young prospects.

The Giants pitching rotation should be their strength. Look for Zito to have a rebound year, as well as young studs Lincecum and Cain to be solid. The best storyline will be Randy Johnson, who should eclipse 300 victories. Despite the solid pitching, the Cubs should be able to manage a split on the bay.

Prediction—Cubs win two of four

Sept. 29—Oct. 1 (three-game series)
Pittsburgh Pirates @ Chicago Cubs

And the Cubbies conclude their NL Central matchups with a favorable series against our beloved Pirates. The Pirates will be playing solely for pride. Be sure and have a pencil handy, as your scorecards will be changing with all the young players that will get looks for the Bucos in this series.

The Cubs should be riding a high wave of momentum. The Pirates will be at the wrong place at the wrong time. I predict a sweep.

Prediction—Cubs win three of three

Oct. 2nd—Oct. 4 (three-game series)
Arizona Diamondbacks @ Chicago Cubs

And the Cubbies conclude their 2009 regular season against the pesky Diamondbacks. If the Cubs are still fighting for the divisional crown, the chance of facing Webb and/or Haren seems less than eventful.

The Cubs should finish the season on a good note. It'll be a fun atmosphere, regardless of the standings. I like the Cubs to win the regular season finale.

Prediction—Cubs win two of three

Well, there we have it, folks: the 2009 Cubs season comes to a close. I have the Cubs finishing 2009 with a 95-67 record, two games below their win total last season. If this is the case, the Cubs should win the NL Central with ease, will likely host the NLDS, and possibly the NLCS if they make it that far.

I hope you all enjoyed reading this four-part series. Thanks for reading!

The Long Road to October: Part Three

Josh Tolleson — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:36:07 -0400

Thanks for checking out the third installment of "The Long Road of October". In case you haven't read them, check out Part One and Part Two to see how the Cubbies have progressed throughout the 2009 season thus far.

Through 82 games, I have the Cubs record at 47-35. How will the Cubs close out the first half? Will the team suffer throughout the dog days of summer? Lets find out!

July 6 - July 8 (Three Game Series)
Atlanta Braves @ Chicago Cubs

As the summer heat comes to Wrigley, the Cubs bats should be swinging on all cylinders. We may see Tim Hudson back for Atlanta at this point. The health of Chipper Jones will also be important to the Braves at any point this season.

Despite the persistent arms of Lowe and Vazquez, I like the Cubs to handle their business against Bobby Cox.

Prediction: Cubs win two of three

July 10 - July 12 (Three Game Series)
St. Louis Cardinals @ Chicago Cubs

The Cubs won't see their rivals for quite a while after this series, so look for both teams to be out to make statements. Much like the last series, Soriano and Pujols should be swinging hot bats.

Much will depend on the state of the Cardinals pitching staff and bullpen. Will Carpenter be healthy? Who will be closing? At this point and time, it's hard to be confident in their pitching as a whole.

Despite the uncertainty, the Cardinals always bring their best to Wrigley. I like the Cardinals.

Prediction- Cubs lose 2 of 3

July 13 - July 15
ALL STAR BREAK

July 16 - July 19 (Four Game Series)
Chicago Cubs @ Washington Nationals

Remember the unbelievable diving catch Reed Johnson made in Washington last season? Depending on the play of Fukudome, Johnson could be manning the fort in center come July.

I predict Lastings Milledge will have a solid year, and he'll give the Cubs headaches throughout this series. Many may expect a sweep, but the Cubs could very well have a letdown series following a hotly-contested Cardinal series. I like the split.

Prediction- Cubs win two of four

July 20 - July 22 (Three Game Series)
Chicago Cubs @ Philadelphia Phillies

A possible NLCS preview, the Phillies added a solid bat in the offseason, signing Raul Ibanez to fill the void left by Pat Burrell. The Phillies offense will always be potent, but their starting rotation outside Cole Hamels remains to be seen.

Will Lidge be the dominant closer he was last season? I believe so. The Cubs struggled against Philly last season, going 3-4, and were outscored 33-24. Expect a rough outing from the Cubs this series.

Prediction- Cubs lose two of three

July 24 - July 26 (Three Game Series)
Cincinnati Reds @ Chicago Cubs

As the trade deadline looms, expect both the Cubs and Reds to be active buyers leading up to July 31. There's a good chance a debuting player(s) could pop up in this series. Will Jake Peavy be pitching for either club? How about Matt Holiday roaming Cincy's outfield?

Regardless of potential trades, the Cubs pitching will lift the team following their stumbles in St. Louis and Washington. The Reds hot bats may press in Wrigley. I like the Cubs here.

Prediction- Cubs win two of three

July 27 - July 29 (Three Game Series)
Houston Astros @ Chicago Cubs

Houston, we have a problem! The Astros should be hot-sellers at this point. Will Miguel Tejada be dealt? Or would the Astros be willing to trade Roy Oswalt? I think it's a safe assumption that the Cubs wouldn't mind that too much!

The Astros held their own at Wrigley last season, posting a 5-4 record at the friendly confines. If the Astros are out of contention, look for some younger players to get looks in this series. I like the Cubs to sweep Houston before heading to Miami.

Prediction- Cubs win three of three

July 31 - August 2 (Three Game Series)
Chicago Cubs @ Florida Marlins

The Cubbies outscored the Marlins in Miami last season 16-9, which was impressive considering the quality pitching Florida put on the field.

With the warm weather being a factor, expect much of the same this season. The Marlins offense will have another years experience under their belts this season, and should be able to produce more runs. I like the Marlins to take two of three at home.

Prediction- Cubs lose two of three

August 3 - August 5 (Three Game Series)
Chicago Cubs @ Cincinnati Reds

This will be the next to last series between these teams in 2009. Following this series, it'll be over a month until they conclude their 2009 season series.

This will be a crucial series for the Reds, who could very well be contending with the Cubs for the top spot in the divisional standings. Pitching will be key here, and judging by pitching depth and bullpens, the Cubs have the upper hand.

Prediction- Cubs win two of three

August 7 - August 10 (Four Game Series)
Chicago Cubs @ Colorado Rockies

The Cubs offense will be happy to make their annual trip to Coors Field in Denver. There's plenty of questions concerning the Rockies pitching, which can only make the Cubs offense even happier.

The loss of Holiday from the Rockie lineup will be difficult to replace. Expect plenty of small ball. As long as the Cubs pitching performs, the offense will handle the rest. Expect nice series' from Ramirez and Lee.

Prediction- Cubs win three of four

August 11 - August 13 (Three Game Series)
Philadelphia Phillies @ Chicago Cubs

The Cubs conclude their 2009 regular season battle with the defending champs, and for the Cubs, it'll be a welcome sight!

The Reds and Phillies will be the two teams that give the Cubs the most fits in 2009, in my opinion. Luckily for Cub Nation, they'll only play the Fightin' Phils seven times in the regular season. Hopefully they'll fare better against them if they meet in October.

Prediction- Cubs lose two of three

August 14 - August 16 (Three Game Series)
Pittsburgh Pirates @ Chicago Cubs

What better way to get over a tough Philly ball club than to welcome the Pirates into Wrigley. Not to sound too harsh, but the Cubs will come as close to playing a Triple-A ballclub in this series than they will all year long.

The Pirates may flash a few glimpses of hope for their fans, like McLouth or Duke, but the Cubs should manhandle the Pirates here. How sweep it is!

Prediction- Cubs win three of three

August 17 - August 19 (Three Game Series)
Chicago Cubs @ San Diego Padres

The Cubs finally get to head out West to take in beautiful San Diego and Los Angeles. The Cubs could very well overlook this series as the Dodgers will be right around the corner.

The Padres could showcase young talent, but proven talent from Chicago will overcome the youngsters. The Cubs win streak should extend to six, as their pitching and timely hitting will simply be too much for the Padres to overcome.

Prediction- Cubs win three of three

August 20 - August 23 (Four Game Series)
Chicago Cubs @ Los Angeles Dodgers

Unfortunately, the winning streak will come to a halt in the City of Angels. The Dodgers could very well be running away with the NL West at this point. Any way you look at it, facing Manny in LA is never a fun experience.

The Cubs will likely struggle this series as they continue their west-coast swing. The Dodgers shouldn't sweep, but they'll give the Cubs a tough time.

Prediction- Cubs lose three of four

As we stand right now, through 122 games, the Cubs will have a record of 72-52. I think Cub fans would gladly take that record!

I'll conclude the fourth and final installment of "The Long Road To October" later this week. Thanks for reading!

Sizing Up the Chicago Cubs Against the NL Central: Starting Rotation

Josh Tolleson — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:50:21 -0400

We continue sizing up the Chicago Cubs against the NL Central, focusing on the Starting Rotations. To the naked eye, the Cubs appear to easily have the best rotation. Before we crown the Cubs as having the best rotation, let's examine each rotation in the division.

I'd like to add that we shouldn't put too much stock into which rotation spot each pitcher holds. Sure, it's great to be be the No. 2 pitcher as opposed to the No. 5, but ultimately rotations get shaken up and, in 98 percent of the cases, the matchups very seldom include 5 vs 5, 3 vs 3, etc.

Like I've mentioned in previous articles, I'm basing the rotations off MLB.com's depth charts. These may not be the official rotations come opening day, but for now, I'll go by MLB.com's projected rotations.

First Spot

Cubs- Carlos Zambrano
Astros- Roy Oswalt
Cardinals- Adam Wainwright
Brewers- Yovani Gallardo
Reds- Aaron Harang
Pirates- Paul Maholm

There are several compelling storylines amongst the staff aces. Will Zambrano finally put together a Cy Young season? Will Aaron Harang return to 2007 form? How in the world will Yovani Gallardo fair against departing Brewer ace CC Sabathia?

Easily a top-10 pitcher in the game, Roy Oswalt has anchored the Astros staff since his rookie campaign in 2001, earning 129 wins in that span. Oswalt has quietly been perhaps the most consistent pitcher of the decade. Despite injuries along the way, Oswalt has shown no signs of slowing down and many predict Oswalt will win the Cy Young this season.
Looking to prove he's worthy of anchoring the Cardinals' staff, Wainwright hopes health will not be an issue in 2009. His career highlight includes earning the save in the World Series clincher in 2006. If the Cardinals expect to compete this season, Wainwright will have to play a big part.
Coming off a terrible ACL injury suffered in Wrigley last season, Gallardo looks to live up to all the hype surrounding him in Milwaukee. There's no doubt, Gallardo has ace "stuff," but it remains to be seen if he can translate it onto the pitchers mound. Needless to say, don't expect Sabathia-like numbers.
What a difference two seasons can make. Nobody knows this to be true more than Harang. He was the toast of the town in 2007, going 16-6 with a 3.73 ERA and striking out 218 batters. The toast quickly burnt in 2008, however, as Harang turned in a stinker: 6-17 record, 4.78 ERA. 2009 will be a critical year in Harang's career.
Hey, you could be a Major League ace, just pitch for the Pittsburgh Pirates! Okay that was crude, perhaps, but it reflects the state of Pirates baseball. Maholm is clearly not an ace, but finds himself the top dog in Steeler country. There's a possibility he could be trade bait at the trading deadline.
The only true competition for Oswalt in this group, Zambrano has shown flashes of greatness. Astro fans can attest to this, as their club fell victim to a Zambrano no-hitter last season. Cub fans never know what to expect for Big Z. Will he dominate for an entire season? Or will he have valleys and peaks like previous seasons?

My Rank: Oswalt, Zambrano, Wainwright, Gallardo, Harang, Maholm

Second Spot

Cubs- Ted Lilly
Astros- Wandy Rodriguez
Cardinals- Kyle Lohse
Brewers- Dave Bush
Reds- Edinson Volquez
Pirates- Ian Snell

Plenty of potential aces and up and coming stars. It'd be tough to find a more impressive group of lefty starters. Will Volquez repeat his '08 dominance? Can Bush and Rodriguez provide over 200 innings?

Many experts predict Rodriguez will have a breakout year in 2009. He'll need to pitch more innings, only average five-plus innings in 25 starts last season. Despite pitching in a hitter-friendly ballpark, Rodriguez had an impressive 2.99 ERA in 81 innings pitched at Minute Maid. With a depleted Astros bullpen, Rodriguez must eat up as many innings as possible.
Once viewed as the future ace of the Minnesota Twins, Lohse's career has been a roller coaster. 2008 was a career year for Lohse. With a 15-6 record, Lohse was the horse of the Cardinals' rotation, pitching 200 innings. In order for the Cardinals to have a shot at October, Lohse will have to duplicate his '08 success.
2008 was a tough year to be a Bush. Obviously, George W. Bush endured plenty of criticism in his final year of office, and Brewer start Dave Bush had a tough luck season in Milwaukee. Despite a respectable 4.18 ERA in nearly 200 innings pitched, Bush endured a 9-10 record. There's word Bush could wind up as the fifth starter, but if he can improve off last season's serviceable stats, he'll become a hero in the land of cheese.
The next superstar ace? Or the latest one and done? Red fans realize their 2009 campaign weighs heavily on the power arm of Edinson Volquez. The 25 year old phenom was a beast last season, striking out 206 in 196 innings while earning 17 wins on a struggling Reds ball club. If Volquez surpasses his '08 numbers, watch out for the Reds come September.
Snell is a solid young arm stuck in a hopeless situation in Pittsburgh. If he pitched anywhere but Pittsburgh or Washington, Snell would be highly regarded by most. Look for Snell to be the most consistent arm in Pittsburgh and maybe, for his sake, he'll be dealt to a contender.
Remember those critics who claim the Cubs overpaid for Lilly a few offseasons ago? What happened to those people? Lilly has been everything Cub fans have hoped for and much much more. I have a concern of a potential-WBC effect, but Lilly is likely to put those doubts to rest with a solid '09 season.

My Rank:Volquez, Lilly, Rodriguez, Lohse, Snell, Bush

Third Spot

Cubs- Ryan Dempster
Astros- Mike Hampton
Cardinals- Todd Wellemeyer
Brewers- Jeff Suppan
Reds- Bronson Arroyo
Pirates- Zach Duke

Talk about a diverse group. You have a injury-proned veteran looking to pitch an entire season (Hampton), two studs who must return to form in order for their teams to compete (Arroyo & Suppan), two young guns who are due for all star-caliber years (Duke & Wellemeyer) and a converted closer coming off a career year (Dempster).
Hampton's career has come full circle, returning to Houston 10 years after his most impressive season in the majors (22-4). Since that magical season, Hampton has only pitched 200 innings twice, and that includes missing two seasons due to injury. Will the old Mike Hampton return?
Seeing Wellemeyer blossom into a quality starter isn't an easy pill for Cub fans to swallow. A product of the Cubs system, Wellemeyer has joined a long list of pitchers whose careers were elevated thanks to Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan. Cardinal nation is expecting big things from the youngster.
Journeyman Jeff Suppan has struggled since helping the Cardinals win the World Series in '06. Suppan has gone 22-22 in two seasons since signing a multi-year deal with the Brew Crew. If you're looking for an innings eater who won't dazzle you with stuff, but will keep you in a game, Suppan is the reliable pitcher for you.
Long gone are the days of braids and being an "idiot" in Boston for Arroyo. Since being dealt to Cincinnati, Arroyo has yet to make the impact Red fans have hoped. As long as he can eat up innings and keep the potent Red lineup close, he'll have a positive impact.
2009 will be an important season for Duke. He can only have the "potential" label on him for so long before it runs out. It doesn't help his cause being on a weak ballclub, but he should get every opportunity to succeed as long as he remains healthy
The biggest surprise in Chicago last season, Dempster emerged as the best pitcher for the NL Champions in 2008. Turning in an all-star season, Dempster was unbeatable at home in the first half. It's a true testament to the Cubs staff that Dempster is third in the rotation.

My Rank: Dempster, Wellemeyer, Arroyo, Suppan, Hampton, Duke

Fourth Spot

Cubs- Rich Harden
Astros-Brian Moehler
Cardinals- Chris Carpenter
Brewers- Manny Parra
Reds- Johnny Cueto
Pirates- Ross Ohlendorf

Harden and Carpenter are No. 4's!? If you told any diehard baseball fan that statement three years ago, you'd been viewed as insane. Don't read too much into that, as they'll likely be anchors of their staffs by midseason.

To be blunt, the Astros are simply looking for bodies to fill out the back end of their rotation. Much like last season, a major lack of pitching depth will kill Houston. Moehler will receive an opportunity to contribute to the Astros, but don't expect Moehler to be in the rotation all entire season.
Fearless prediction No. 2- Chris Carpenter will win Comeback Player of the Year. Carpenter has been fantastic this spring and has shown no signs of injury. If there was ever a team relying on the health of one player, the Cardinals must have Carpenter at his true ace form.
Inconsistency best sums up Manny Parra's 2008 rookie campaign. When he was good, he was great, but when he was bad, he was awful. One positive note is he had a 2:1 K/BB ratio, which will be key to Parra's '09 success. He'll have a powerful lineup supporting him, so I like Parra to have a quality sophomore season.
Before injury, the 23 year old Cueto showed flashes of greatness. Despite a 9-14 record, Cueto provided innings and plenty of strikeouts. Health will either make or break Cueto's season. Cincinnati has two young phenoms in Cueto and Volquez; don't sleep on these guys.
Oh-len-dorf, ah there we go. The Austin, Texas native has had an incredible spring, posting an 0.89 ERA. That performance has secured a rotation spot for Ohlendorf and could very well have him higher than the fourth spot. Like all Pirates starters, he'll have every opportunity to succeed.
Cub fans are giddy as they ponder having an entire season of Harden. Cubs GM Jim Hendry gave a lot up to acquire Harden, and '09 will be an important step in Harden's career as not only a Cub, but as a major league pitcher. If Harden can stay healthy all season, don't rule out 17+ wins and a trip to the All Star game.

My Ranks: Carpenter, Harden, Cueto, Parra, Ohlendorf, Moehler

Fifth Spot

Cubs- Sean Marshall
Astros- Russ Ortiz
Cardinals- Joel Pineiro
Brewers- Braden Looper
Reds- Micah Owings/Homer Bailey
Pirates- Jeff Karstens

Not a terrible group, but it certainly won't blow your mind either. It'll be interesting to see how many of these pitchers remain in their respective rotations, or the majors.

Russ Ortiz lives! Once a solid starter, Ortiz's career has been diminished due to injuries and a decline in performance. Barring a complete turn-around, look for the Astros to replace Ortiz rather quickly with a young arm or someone from the 'pen.
A convertered reliever, Pineiro has been hit or miss. After struggling in Boston, Piniero found his way to Dave Duncan and St. Louis. If Duncan can't turn Piniero's fortunes around, don't expect much from him much beyond '09.
When the Brewers lost both Sabathia and Sheets, the Brewers were left with major voids in their rotation. How did they respond? By signing free agent Braden Looper. Once a closer in New York, Looper had glimpses of success in St. Louis. Looper will face pressure to excel in a rotation that will be tested throughout the season.
The Reds have yet to announce who'll claim the fifth and final spot in their rotation. As of 3/30, Micah Owings appears to have the edge over youngster Homer Bailey. Last season, Bailey struggled and was demote to Triple A. Consequently, the Reds acquired Owings from the Diamondbacks. The Reds pitch depth makes this competition a good problem to have, and whichever pitcher loses will likely end up in the rotation due to another starter falling to injury.
Once viewed as a quality Yankee prospect, Karstens has struggled to prove his worth as a starter in the big leagues. His career highlight came last season, as he was four outs away from a perfect game against the Diamondbacks. He'll need to start out strong, or he'll likely be replaced.
A lanky lefty, Marshall has fought and battled his way back into the Cubs rotation. The Cubs decided to keep Marshall and deal Rich Hill to Baltimore this offseason. Marshall will be on a short-leash, as pitchers Aaron Heilman and Jeff Samardzija are vying for spots in the rotation.

My Ranks: Marshall, Owings, Looper, Piniero, Karstens, Ortiz

From top the bottom, I rank the Cubs as having the best rotation in the Central. The Reds aren't far behind, and could provide plenty of headaches to the Cubs this season. Thanks for reading.

Sizing Up the Chicago Cubs Against the NL Central: Outfield

Josh Tolleson — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:24:03 -0400

Saturday, I wrote an article comparing the Cubs infield to the rest of the NL Central. This article will compare the Cubbies' outfield against their divisional foes.

A little side note, I'm using the MLB.com team depth charts as my source as to who the starting outfielders will be.

Although there's a good chance Reed Johnson and Kosuke Fukudome will platoon in center field, the Cubs.com depth chart has Fukudome listed ahead of Johnson as of March 29.

These rankings are solely my opinion and I more than welcome debates.

Left field

Cubs- Alfonso Soriano

Astros- Carlos Lee

Cardinals- Chris Duncan

Brewers- Ryan Braun

Reds- Chris Dickerson (in competition with Jerry Hairston)

Pirates- Nyjer Morgan

After the big three, there's a major drop off in the level of talent. The Reds and Pirates are hopeful their young left fielders blossom into stars.

Lee, much like teammate Lance Berkman, is highly undervalued. A career .290 hitter, Lee has averaged 30 homeruns and 110 RBIs the past two seasons. Another overlooked aspect of Lee's game is his great eye, only striking out 49 times in over 430 at-bats.
Despite suffering from the injury bug, Chris Duncan will start the season in left for Tony LaRussa. Duncan will be expected to step up and remain durable in 2009 to help support slugger Albert Pujols. With so much many quality players in their outfield, Duncan will need to perform at his highest potential.
Talk about beginning your career with a bang, Ryan Braun has wasted no time in making an impact. Already compiling over 70 homers and 200 RBIs in his first two seasons, Braun has become a top-tier outfielder in the game. His WBC injury could become an issue throughout the season, but Braun is poised for another quality season. Look for Braun to work hard on his defense this season.
Dusty Baker has one of his favorite utility players, Jerry Hairston, in competition with the Reds projected starting left fielder, Chris Dickerson. Last season, Dickerson was a pleasant surprise as a late-season call up, hitting .304 with six homers and five stolen bases in only 102 at-bats. The Reds believe they can compete this season, so don't look for Dusty to hesitate pulling Dickerson in favor on Hairston if the situation calls.
A speedster, Nyjer Morgan has shown flashes of potential in Pittsburgh, stealing 9 in 160 at bats while hitting .294. Word out of Pirate camp is Morgan is struggling this spring and that free agent pickups Craig Monroe and Eric Hinske could take over leftfield if Morgan struggles. Be sure and monitor this situation in the upcoming weeks.
A true five-tool player, Soriano has be the catalyst for the Cubs offense since signing with the ball club in 2007. Following Soriano's monster 2006 season with Washington where he compiled over 40 homers, doubles, and stolen bases. Needless to say, he has yet to reach that plateau in Wrigley. If his health can remain positive, Soriano is due for a breakout season in Cubbie blue.

My Ranks: Braun, Soriano, Lee, Duncan, Dickerson, Morgan

Center field

Cubs- Kosuke Fukudome

Astros- Michael Bourn

Cardinals- Rick Ankiel

Brewers- Mike Cameron

Reds- Willy Taveras

Pirates- Nate McLouth

Good blend of speed (Taveras, McLouth, Bourn) and pop (Cameron, Ankiel) in the group. The performance of this group will be major parts in the success of their respective ball clubs.

Bourn hasn't solidified center field in Houston, quite yet. Darin Erstad poses a threat to Bourn's job if Bourn doesn't improve offensively. Regardless, his 40+ stolen base potential will keep him in the major leagues for the time being.
From big league arm to big league stick, Ankiel blew away baseball fans last season with a big bat. A former starter for the Cardinals, Ankiel has become a feel-good story, smashing 25 home runs in 2008. Look for Ankiel to anchor the Cardinal outfield.
You know what you're going to get with Cameron: 20+ homeruns, 70+ RBIs, over 20 stolen bases and a Gold Glove-caliber glove. Cameron will provide veteran leadership to the young Brewer outfield, and a steady bat in protection of Braun and Fielder.
Speed, speed, and more speed, that's Willy Taveras. His goal for 2009 is to steal 100+ bases, but it remains to see if he'll even get on base 100 times in order for that to happen. Dusty loves Taveras, so look for him to get as much playing time as possible.
An All-Star in 2008, Nate McLouth emerged as the new face of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization following the departure of Jason Bay. McLouth will have to top his 2008 performance to give the Pirates any chance of respectable play. Barring a major setback, McLouth should have a solid year.
Which Fukudome will Cub Nation see this season? Only time will tell. Unfortunately for Kosuke, Reed Johnson has had a tremendous spring training and has become a fan favorite and clubhouse leader. Fukudome will need to have another fast start and maintain a high-level of play to keep his job in center. It remains to be seen if Lou decides to stick to his current platoon plan.

My Rank: McLouth, Cameron, Ankiel, Fukudome, Taveras, Bourn

Right field

Cubs- Milton Bradley

Astros- Hunter Pence

Cardinals- Ryan Ludwick

Brewers- Corey Hart

Reds- Jay Bruce

Pirates- Brandon Moss

All kinds of youthful potential in this group. Bruce, Hart, Pence, and Ludwick are all future superstars, while Milton Bradley elevated himself in 2008. This will be a fun group to follow in '09.

A fan favorite, Hunter Pence has struggled to regain his rookie season batting average of .322. His power and run production went up his second season, slugging 25 homers and 83 RBIs, but his strikeouts increased and on base percentage declined significantly. This will be a crucial season for Pence, who has the opportunity to be an elite player.
Arguably the most underrated player from 2008, Ludwick slugged 37 home runs and drove in 113 runs while providing much-needed protection for Pujols. There's a strong possibility for a letdown 2009 season, but count on over 30 homers and a steady glove in right.
A legitimate 30/30 candidate, Hart has all the tools to have a breakout 2009 season. Hart will need to progress his talents to the next level in order for the Brewers to remain competitive. Of all the young Brewer players, Hart, along with Braun, have the most potential.
Cincinnati has a new mayor, and his name is Jay Bruce. Not many players have as much upside as Bruce, who's poised to eclipse 30+ homers this season. Reds fans have high expectations for Bruce to help replace power numbers left behind by Griffey and Adam Dunn. It'll be fun to watch the development of Bruce this season.
A product of the Red Sox system, Moss has a chance to become an everyday player for the Pirates young ball club. His numbers won't impress you, and it's uncertain to see how long he remains the starting right fielder for the Pirates. It appears that besides McLouth, the Pirates outfield is still up in the air.
Coming up a monster year in Texas where he led the AL in on base percentage, Bradley brings a much-needed lefty bat to the middle of the Cubs lineup. Not only will Bradley provide pop, but he'll bring an attitude and toughness to an otherwise mild-mannered clubhouse. If he can avoid injury, Bradley should put up all-star numbers in his first year in Chicago.

My Ranks: Bradley, Bruce, Hart, Pence, Ludwick, Moss

Next time, I'll size up the Cubs starting rotation against the rest of the NL Central. Needless to say, the Cubs should have solid comparisons. See you next time. Thanks for reading!

Sizing Up the Chicago Cubs Against the NL Central: Infield

Josh Tolleson — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 19:10:11 -0400

Every baseball article you read, every expert you see on television or hear on radio, there's a common consensus: The Cubs will win the National League Central crown.

With this being the case, I thought it'd be both insightful and fun to size up the Cubs to the rest of the NL Central, position by position. This article will compare the Cub infielders. In the upcoming days I'll compare the outfield and starting rotations.

Before I start, the Cubs 25-man roster hasn't been finalized yet, so there may be a few players I mention who may not make the cut come opening day.

As Tony Reali would say, let's go around the horn!

First Base:

Cubs- Derrek Lee

Astros- Lance Berkman

Cardinals- Albert Pujols

Brewers- Prince Fielder

Reds- Joey Votto

Pirates- Adam LaRoche

Wow, what an impressive list! The list compiles of 4 all stars, an All Star in the making (Votto) and a solid bat to anchor the Pirates lineup.

Pujols is easily the best hitter in baseball, and his defense isn't too shabby. You can bank on .340/40/135 and a solid glove for the Cardinals. Triple crown, anyone?
Berkman is arguably the most underrated player in the game. A converted outfielder, Berkman only committed five errors in 152 games played last season. With Carlos Lee providing protection, Berkman is just below a notch compared to Albert.
Fielder has a monster bat, and is very athletic on the field. You have to include Fielder as one of the top five young studs in the game. And the scary part about Fielder is that he's yet to hit his prime. Yikes!
The ceiling's the limit for Joey Votto, who hit 24 homers and 84 RBIs in his rookie campaign. Look for Votto to grab a lot of attention for a vastly improved Reds ball club.
A former Braves prospect, Adam LaRoche has kept his sweet swing consistent in Pittsburgh. Always a threat to split the gaps, and hit the occasional home run, LaRoche has as solid a swing as anyone.
As for Lee, he'd be in the top two easily in most other divisions, but the competition in the NL Central is simply sick. Ranking fourth in the division isn't a bad thing!

My Rank: Pujols, Berkman, Fielder, Lee, Votto, LaRoche

Second Base

Cubs- Mike Fontenot

Astros- Kaz Matsui

Cardinals- Skip Schumaker

Brewers- Rickie Weeks

Reds- Brandon Phillips

Pirates- Freddy Sanchez

Quite a drop off from the first base group, but the 2B pool in baseball is rather weak. There's plenty of speed and "small ball" guys in this group.

Phillips is, in my opinion, the class of this group. A legitimate 30-30 threat, Phillips has the makings to be a superstar. He's projected to bat cleanup, and if Votto or Bruce can provide protection, watch out NL pitching!
Like Phillips, Weeks has all-star potential, but has disappointed in Milwaukee. May issues can be contributed, the primary issue being health. Weeks is truly at a crossroads in his career.
Sanchez is looking to find his 2006 all-star form, where he led the NL in batting average (.344) and doubles (53). A solid glove and stead bat, Sanchez is due to a solid year.
Schumaker should be an interesting player to watch this season. Skip will make the shift from outfield to 2B. Cardinal nation can only hope Skip will make a smooth transition, since their outfield is crammed.
You mention Kaz Matsui in Flushing, NY and you're bound to get yelled at. A flop in the Big Apple, Matsui help ignite the Rockies 2007 ball club to the World Series. Matsui cashed in a few months later with the Astros and has yet to live up to his 5.5 million dollar/year salary.
Fontenot has the potential to leap to the top of this list in 2009. Mike has quietly become a fan-favorite at Wrigley. Assuming he holds on to the second base job, Fontenot should have a breakout season for Lou Piniella.

My Rank: Phillips, Sanchez, Fontenot, Schumaker, Weeks, Matsui

Shortstop

Cubs- Ryan Theriot

Astros-Miguel Tejeda

Cardinals- Khalil Greene

Brewers- JJ Hardy

Reds- Alex Gonzalez

Pirates- Jack Wilson

Quite an upgrade from second base, there's a good mixture of contact, power, and speed threats amongst the group.

Despite steroid controversy and his decline in performance, Tejeda still remains a solid ball player. Combine his solid bat in an offensively-friendly ballpark, and Tejeda has the potential to return to form.
Greene has had a tremendous spring for the Cardinals, batting .417 and slugging .567. He'll likely come back to earth, but I'll predict Greene could be a Comeback Player of the Year nominee.
The player with the most upside is JJ Hardy, who showed power in 2008, slamming 24 dingers and 74 runs batted in. Most importantly, Hardy remained durable, playing in 146 games. Look for Hardy to assume a leadership role with the Brew Crew this season.
A solid, underrated gloveman, Gonzalez brings experience to the Reds youthful lineup. Having missed the entire 2008 season due to injury, Gonzalez looks to return and anchor the Reds infield.
Once touted as an elite shortstop, Jack Wilson has stumbled the past couple of seasons. Batting .272, Wilson once again failed to live up to expectations. Wilson, along with double-play partner Freddy Sanchez, could be strong candidates to be dealt before the trade deadline.
Theriot provides the most stability amongst the shortshops in this group, in my opinion. Regardless of where he hits this season, Theriot will put the ball in play, bunt the runner to 3rd, and make the routine plays at short.

My Ranks: Tejeda, Theriot, Hardy, Greene, Wilson, Gonzalez

Third Base

Cubs- Aramis Ramirez

Astros- Geoff Blum

Cardinals- Troy Glaus

Brewers- Bill Hall

Reds- Edwin Encarnacion

Pirates- Andy LaRoche

Finally, a no-contest group and in the Cubs favor!

A career utility man, Blum will get the opportunity to play everyday at the hot corner for the Astros. Most Chicago fans remember him for his big homer for the White Sox in the '05 World Series against, who else, the Astros.
Glaus, when healthy, would be the only true threat to ARam in this group. Troy will begin the season on the 15-day DL (surprise surprise). Until he can prove his health can remain consistently on par, don't expect much from the '02 World Series hero.
Another solid utility player, when healthy, Bill Hall still can turn things around. The Brewers have solid depth backing up Hall with Mike Lamb and Craig Counsell, so if health or lack of performance becomes an issue, look for Bob Melvin to have a short leash on Hall this season.
Despite only hitting .251, Encarancion managed to hit 26 homers and drive in 68 runs. Much like Rickie Weeks, Encarnacion has superstar written all over him, but time will tell whether or not Edwin can put everything together.
Once a can't miss prospect with the Dodgers, Andy LaRoche gets the cool opportunity to share the corners with his brother, Adam. Unfortunately for Andy, he has yet to prove he's ready to claim the third base job in the major league level. The jury is out on the youngster.
The class of the NL central third basemen, and in the Top five in all of baseball, ARam simply blows away the rest on this list. Just imagine if he batted third in the Cubs lineup. Make it happen, Lou!

My Ranks: Ramirez, Glaus, Encarnacion, Hall, Blum, LaRoche

Catchers

Cubs- Geovany Soto

Astros- Ivan Rodriguez

Cardinals- Yadier Molina

Brewers- Jason Kendall

Reds- Ramon Hernandez

Pirates- Ryan Doumit

Arguably the best catcher-crew in baseball, there's a good mix of experience (Pudge/Kendall), young power (Soto/Doumit) and solid defense (Molina/Hernandez).

The fountain of youth must exist, because every year, Pudge seems to find his way onto a major league roster. After an impressive WBC performance, Pudge found a starting gig with the Astros. In the warm Houston ballpark, Pudge could have an all-star caliber year.
When the name "Molina" is uttered, one word comes to mind: defense. Yadier Molina is no exception. His bat may not be powerful, but his glove more than makes up for any offensive shortcomings. Watch out for his bat, it could turn around. After all, he's only 26.
One of my personal favorite players, Jason Kendall defines a catcher: hard nosed, grindy, rugged and just a pure baseball player. I enjoyed his tenure with the Cubs, and with the Brewer pitching staff in disaray, Kendall should bring much-needed veteran leadership to the staff.
One of the primary off season moves that has been overlooked by most, the Reds acquired Ramon Hernandez from the Baltimore Orioles. He should improve on his '08 numbers offensively, and is a solid defender. People shouldn't sleep on Hernandez in a new division.
Big, powerful, and young, yep that's Ryan Doumit. Those fantasy owners, like myself, who took a chance on Doumit last season were handsomely rewarded. Batting .318 in 431 ABs, Doumit was a pleasant surprise last season for Pittsburgh. If he remains healthy, Doumit is a strong all-star candidate.
Another Cub, another all star. Soto, like teammate ARam, is the class of the NL at his position. Soto will likely bat 6th, which should keep the pressure to the minimum. As long as he takes care of the staff and puts up similar offensive numbers to his Rookie of the Year campaign, Cub fans will be "Soto" ecstatic (thank you, thank you).

My ranks: Soto, Doumit, Hernandez, Kendall, Pudge, Molina

Next time I'll preview the three outfield positions. How will Soriano fair against Carlos Lee? Will Fukudome step up and head the Centerfield class? Check out my next article! Thanks for reading.

"Heil" to The King? Don't Rule It Out, Cub Fans!

Josh Tolleson — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:10:23 -0400

This off season, Jim Hendry had the difficult task of attempting to improve a team that won 97 games the season prior. Although the Cubs won the NL Central with ease, there's always a C.C. Sabathia waiting in the wings, who could push a NL Central foe to the top of the division.

Hendry focused on making the team more athletic and flexible, signing Joey Gathright and Aaron Miles. The Cubs were also able to move Jason Marquis off the books, which left a vacancy in the Cubs rotation.

It also created a potential opportunity for a young pitcher who, with the need of a change of scenery, could rebound from a tough 2008. Perhaps Hendry has found the man who will seize this opportunity:

Aaron Heilman

Many Cub fans question the trade that sent Ronny Cedeno to Seattle and brought Heilman to Wrigley, but when you look at Heilman's spring training, there's a sense of optimism brewing.

Going into 3/26, Heilman has an 1.84 ERA in 14 innings pitched, striking out 16 batters while only allowing four walks and 15 hits.

Granted, these are only spring training numbers, it's apparent that Heilman is on the right track thus far.

With the potential for injury to the Hardens and Zambranos of the world, it'll make the Cub's lives much easier if Heilman can be a solid contributor.

The Chicago Cubs' Long Road to October: Part Two

Josh Tolleson — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:09:59 -0400

Welcome back, Cub fans. Tuesday, I published the first of four articles previewing each Cubs series for 2009.

For those of you who have yet to read it, be sure and read it here. Thanks for your kind words thus far.

We continue with the "second quarter." Through 41 games, I have the Cubs with a 24-17 record. Will the Cubs continue to play solid baseball? Let's find out!

May 22 - May 24 (Three-game Series)

Chicago Cubs @ San Diego Padres

The Cubs conclude their 2009 season series with the Padres, heading out west to beautiful PETCO Park. Most feel the Padres will be in rebuilding mode in 2009, but you can never disregard the bat of Adrian Gonzalez or the arm of Jake Peavy.

Another arm to keep an eye on is Heath Bell, who will replace Trevor Hoffman as closer. The Cubs offense should be enough to overcome the young Padre ball club.

Prediction: Cubs win three of three

May 25 - May 27 (Three-game Series)

Pittsburgh Pirates @ Chicago Cubs

The Cubs finally get a glimpse of the Pirates. Not much has changed in Pittsburgh: young pitching, inexperienced bats, and a fan base that's growing more impatient by the season.

The Cubs manhandled the Pirates in '08, posting a 14-4 record. There's no reason to believe things will be much different in 2009.

Watch out for A-Ram here.

Prediction: Cubs win two of three

May 28 - May 31 (Four-game Series)

Los Angeles Dodgers @ Chicago Cubs

The Cubbies welcome Manny Ramriez, Joe Torre, and the Dodgers to Wrigley. Cub fans are looking forward to the opportunity of retribution following last seasons NLDS debacle.

The Dodgers are a scary team this season and shouldn't be taken for granted. Look for the Cubs to have difficulty and perhaps press a bit too much.

The Cubs talent should avoid a series loss, but look for a split.

Prediction: Cubs win two of four

June 2 - June 4 (Three-game Series)

Chicago Cubs @ Atlanta Braves

With a revamped starting rotation and young players with upside, the Braves should be an exciting team to watch in 2009.

The Cubs wouldn't be too thrilled to see Derek Lowe, who contained the Cub offense last October. Despite the Cubs sweeping the Braves 6-0 last season, look for Atlanta to be healthy and improved this season.

Prediction: Cubs lose two of three

June 5 - June 7 (Three-game Series)

Chicago Cubs @ Cincinnati Reds

Look out, it's those pesky Reds again! The dog days of summer will be creeping up, so perhaps the Cubs will be catching the young Reds ball club at a good time.

If the Reds starting rotation remains healthy, they'll give the Cubs and the entire NL fits. The Cubs may face a June-swoon.

Prediction: Cubs lose two of three

June 9 - June 11 (Three-game Series)

Chicago Cubs @ Houston Astros

The Cubs and Astros reach the mid-point of their season series schedule. Look for plenty of offensive explosions in this series. It'll be interesting to see how the Texas-heat takes it toll on the young Astros arms.

The Cubs should win the series and finally end the mini-road trip.

Prediction: Cubs win two of three

June 12 - June 14 (Three-game Series)

Minnesota Twins @ Chicago Cubs

Inter league play gets underway! Cub fans, who normally root for the Twins to knock off the White Sox, will look forward to stiff competition in the form of Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Francisco Liraino.

Twin fans are highly concerned with the health of Mauer, who's currently suffering from inflammation of his lower back. Since there will be no DH this series, there's a chance the Cubs may only see Mauer in pinch-hitting duties depending on his health.

I like the Cubs to out pitch the young Twins rotation.

Prediction: Cubs win two of three

June 16 - June 18 (Three-game Series)

Chicago White Sox @ Chicago Cubs

Let the war games begin!

Nothing beats taking in a heated Cubs/Sox game at Wrigley. There's so much noise being made and smack being talked, you'd think you were in a mosh pit at a Metallica concert (congrats for the Hall of Fame induction, BTW!).

Baseball prospectus has the White Sox finishing LAST(!) following last season's division-winning efforts. The Sox always give the Cubs tough competition, but Ozzie and comp. will get pushed around this series. See you back on the South side!

Prediction: Cubs win two of three.

June 19 - June 21 (Three-game Series)

Cleveland Indians @ Chicago Cubs

Following a disappointing, injury-plagued '08 campaign, the Indians look for a fresh start. Travis Haffner and Victor Martinez should be fully-healthy and carry big bats.

The Cubs could also see AL Cy Young winner Cliff Lee, who has a tall mountain to climb to match his '08 credentials.

It'll be tough for Cub fans to see Mark DeRosa utilized all over Cleveland's defensive alignments. Also, look for Kerry Wood to get a huge ovation when he takes the mound, even when he gets two saves this series.

Prediction: Cubs lose two of three

June 23 - June 25 (Three-game Series)

Chicago Cubs @ Detroit Tigers

Fearless Prediction No. 1: The Detroit Tigers will win the AL Central by five games.

You heard it right here, folks. The Tigers will be a force to be reckoned with this year. As long as their offense performs as it should, and their pitching rebounds from an awful '08 campaign, the Tigers are a force.

The only question mark they have is their closer. Brandon Lyon has been rocked this spring training, which gives Cub fans hope for this series.

The ball will be flying this series, and the Cubs will be lucky to leave with one win!

Prediction: Cubs lose two of three

June 26 - June 28 (Three-game Series)

Chicago Cubs @ Chicago White Sox

I'm devoting this segment to Hawk. You can put the Cubs sweep on the boooooarrrddd, YESSSS!

Prediction: Cubs win three of three. White Sox...THEY GONE!

June 29 - July 1 (Three-game Series)

Chicago Cubs @ Pittsburgh Pirates

My big fear with this series is the potential for a let-down following the high-energy White Sox series. The Cubs have had a bad habit of playing down to their competition in seasons past, and Lou will need to keep his veteran ball club focused.

The Cubs should ride the wave of momentum and handle our Bucko friends.

Prediction: Cubs win two of three

July 2 - July 5 (Four-game Series)

Milwaukee Brewers @ Chicago Cubs

We've reach the halfway mark of the regular season. The All-Star break will be featured in our next installment.

These two ball clubs will be quite familiar with one another at this point. Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder are capable of carrying the Brew Crew on their backs, and I like the Brewers to make a statement to Cubs fan at Wrigley.

Prediction: Cubs lose two of three

We're now halfway through my four-part series previewing the Cubs 2009 season. I show the Cubs with an impressive 47-35 record.

I hope you guys are enjoying these articles; they're a blast to write! Be sure and comment and vote on my polls. Thanks for reading!

Chicago Cubs Need a Table Setter: Who'll Bat Second This Season?

Josh Tolleson — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:02:42 -0400

When people discuss the undervalued aspects of baseball, there's the usual suspects: the lost art of bunting, proper base running and depth amongst the bench, but there's one aspect that seems to be forgotten all too often, the table setters.

The Cubs appear to be set at the leadoff spot. As long as Lou's in town, Alfonso Soriano will be leading off, period. Say what you will about his lack of batting average and on-base percentages well as the high strikeout rate, but when he bats leadoff, more times than not, the Cubs win.

So the next question emerges: Who will bat second?

The Cubs have three leading candidates for the spot. Of course, Lou could always play musical chairs and rotate different guys, but once a player gets an opportunity and excels, one would hope he wouldn't relinquish it.

Let's examine the three leading candidates.

1. Ryan Theriot

Why he should bat second: By looking at the numbers, his career .290/.362 AVG/OBP appear to be acceptable for the two-hole. Theriot puts the ball in play and excels in "small ball", such as bunting and putting the ball in play. Theriot can also swipe a bag, stealing 22 last season.

Why he shouldn't bat second: Despite stealing 22 bags last season, he was caught 13 times. Also, as a young player, he's apt to expand his strike zone and when Soriano's your lead-off man, you must have a patient hitter in the two slot.

2. Mike Fontenot

Why he should bat second: There'd be no better way for Lou to give Mike even more confidence than to give him the keys to the second spot. He'd also split up the two big right-handed bats, Soriano and Lee, and provide balance atop the lineup. Not to mention his .305/.395 AVG/OBP

Why he shouldn't bat second: Fontenot came up with clutch hits last season and although his numbers were similar to Theriot, he had half as many at-bats. He also struck out 51 times in just 243 at-bats and only stole two bases.

3. Kosuke Fukudome

Why he should bat second: Many credit Fukudome for bringing a more patient approach to the Cubs lineup last season. As the most experienced of the three candidate, Kosukue proved he can get on base and, when called upon, steal a bag or two.

Having a reliable, veteran left-handed bat in the two spot will also make Lou sleep easier at night.

Why he shouldn't bat second: Fukudome was hardly a consistent player last season. Lou also wasn't pleased with Kosuke's lack of progress and ended up in the proverbial dog-house. Only posting a .257/.359 AVG/OBP, Kosuke would have to boost those numbers.

Many have pencilled in Theriot, but some feel it isn't carved in stone quite yet. Lou has several options to choose from, which is a good problem to have. Cub fans hope that Lou not only finds the best bat, but also sticks with it. Who do you think should bat second?

Be sure and comment and vote in my poll.

Thanks for reading.

Bayou Boys Bring Stability Up The Middle

Josh Tolleson — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 23:28:54 -0400

Back in the summer of 2000, little did Cub Nation know that future double play combo Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot were leading the LSU Tigers to a National Championship.

Theriot had an incredible 2000 season, batting .305 with 41 RBIs and 68 Runs scored. He also was a constant in the LSU lineup, starting all 69 games played for the Bayou Bengals. Theriot was named to the College World Series all tournament team, batting .368 in tournament play. A memorable moment in the tournament was Theriot breaking up a no-hit bid by USC pitcher Mark Prior, who went on to pitch for the Cubs.

Fontenot had a stellar 2000 campaign, batting .353 with 17 homers, 64 RBIs and 93 runs scored. Fontenot, like Theriot, was named to the College World Series all tournament team. He led the Tigers with a .462 batting average as the Tigers won the championship.

Nine years later, both men find themselves turning double plays for arguably the most beloved franchise in baseball. Cubs manager Lou Piniella recently announced that Mike Fontenot will be the starting second basemen to start the 2009 season, beating out super utility player Aaron Miles. LSU fans will be eager to see two of their own bring speed, good defense, and rugged play to Wrigley.

The Long Road to October Begins Here, Cubdom!

Josh Tolleson — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:04:03 -0400

It's about that time, Cub fans.

We're less than two weeks away from opening day in Houston. There are plenty of questions burdening Cub fans; Will Carlos Zambrano finally put together a Cy Young season? How many games will Harden pitch? Who will be our closer?

And, of course, the most important question, will our bats arrive come late September and, hopefully, early October?

I will attempt to accurately predict how the Cubs will fare for the entire 2009 campaign, series by series. Of course it's early, but it's never too early to divulge into America's past time.

This will be the first of four installments, each previewing 40 games or so. I will refer to this installment as "first quarter."

Some of you may recall that I did a similar article last summer detailing the Cubs second half, and correctly predicted the regular season win total. You can check it out here.

Alright lets get start!

Apr. 6 - Apr. 8 (Three-game series)

Chicago Cubs @ Houston Astros

Emotions will be high, Minute Maid will be rocking, and it'll be great to see the 2009 MLB season underway! According to the Cubs depth chart, we will see Zambrano, Lilly, and Dempster pitch in Houston.

The Astros will look to start the season on the right track, countering with Oswalt, Rodriguez and Backe. Experts around MLB say Oswalt is an easy Cy Young candidate, and based off his WBC performances, I'd strongly agree.

I believe Oswalt and Valverde will shut the door on our offense opening day, but look for Lilly and Dempster to swing the momentum in our favor as the Cubs take two of three from Houston.

Prediction: Cubs win two of three.

Apr. 10-12 (Three-game series)
Chicago Cubs @ Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers bats remain a major force but their pitching as very suspect. I believe Milwaukee's bats may press too much early on to compensate for the lack of pitching. They are projected to send Parra, Looper, and staff ace Gallardo to the hill.

Look for Cub pitchers Harden, Marshall, and Zambrano to have their hands full; however, the Cubs' bullpen should be the difference in this series. I like the Cubs to build momentum from the Houston series and it'll carry over through Milwaukee. I like the Cubs for two of three.

Prediction: Cubs win two of three.

Apr. 13, Apr. 15 (two-game series)
Colorado Rockies vs Chicago Cubs

Another year, another great opening day at beautiful Wrigley Field. Ted Lilly is slated to take the ball for the home opener against the Rockies highly-touted young arm, Ubaldo Jiminez followed by former Cub Jason Marquis returning to Wrigley to face off with Ryan Dempster.

The Rockies' lineup has a lot of question marks, and a major void in the outfield with the departure of superstar Matt Holiday. Corpas and Street will anchor the end of the pen, and that could be a potential solid 8th/9th inning punch.

I look for a split.

Prediction: Cubs win one of two.

Apr. 16 - Apr. 19 (four-game series)
St. Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs

Luckily the schedule-makers didn't waste any time in getting the Cubs/Cards feud underway in 2009! The two teams will face off 10 times within the first two months of the season.

The Cubs won't have to wait long to get a taste of the NL central, as 21 of their first 41 games are against NL central foes. Much like the Cubs, health will be a major key for the Cardinals success.

If Pujols and Carpenter remain healthy, Tony La Russa's club will be near the top for the majority of the season, but that's a major "if."

This series will be full of excitement and energy. Much like the rest of the NL Central, pitching is suspect for the Cardinals and depending on how the Cubbies are swinging the bats, I like the Cubs here.

I see the Cubs taking three of four.

Prediction: Cubs win three of four.

Apr. 21- Apr. 23 (three-game series)
Cincinnati Reds vs Chicago Cubs

Each year, there's always one of two clubs that give an opposing team fits, and the Reds will give the Cubs plenty of fits this year. The Reds will be a sleeper in the NL this season, in my opinion.

Look for Harang and Arroyo to rebound from disappointing 2008 campaigns, and young aces Volquez and Cueto to make major strides. I like the Reds to hand the Cubbies their first series loss, taking two of three.

Prediction: Cubs lose two of three.

Apr. 24 - Apr. 26 (three-game series)
Chicago Cubs vs St. Louis Cardinals

...and the fun rivalry makes it way to Busch Stadium. The Cubs went 5-4 in St. Louis last season, and finished up with a 9-6 record against the Red Birds for the '08 campaign.

The Reds series will set the Cubbies back a little bit and the Cardinals should be able to capitalize as a result. The Cubs could get their second glimpse of Chris Carpenter, who may very well be back on track at this point.

The Cubs could fall into a mini-slump to close out April, but nothing too major. I like the Cubs to barely avoid a sweep, but lose two of three.

Predictions: Cubs lose two of three.

Apr. 27 - Apr. 29 (three-game series)
Chicago Cubs vs Arizona Diamondbacks

The Cubbies make a quick three-game trip to Arizona to combat the Diamondbacks stellar pitching and pesky offense. If the Diamondbacks remain on track with their rotation, the Cubs would face Garland, Scherzer and Brandon Webb. The Cubs fared well against Arizona last season, but dropped two of three away from Wrigley.

I like Arizona to repeat this season, taking two of three.

Prediction: Cubs lose two of three.

Apr. 30 - May 3 (four-game series)
Florida Marlins vs Chicago Cubs

A series that will feature arguably the best young pitching and the most established pitching rotation in the National League, the Cubs and Marlins match up well against one another.

The Marlins will rely heavily on the bat and speed of fantasy baseball beast, and perennial all-star shortstop Hanley Ramirez.

Another potential superstar to keep an eye on is leadoff man and center fielder Cameron Maybin, acquired from the Detroit Tigers in the blockbuster deal that included Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis.

I think the Cubs will rebound from a tough road trip, and will manage a split against the improved Marlins ballclub.

Prediction: Cubs win two of four.

May 4 - May 5 (two-game series)
San Francisco Giants vs Chicago Cubs

Another potential sleeper in the NL, the Giants pitching staff has tons of potential, and could arguably surpass the Cubs as having the most potent pitching rotation in the NL.

The Giants offense could also lead the NL, but in the dubious category as the lowest scoring team. Despite the Giants solid rotation, their bullpen does have questions. The Cubbies match up well against the post-Bonds Giants. I like the two-game sweep.

Prediction: Cubs win two of two.

May 6- May 7 (two-game series)
Chicago Cubs vs Houston Astros

What's with these random two-game series? Anyway, the Cubs go back to Houston, perhaps as a makeup for the whole "lets move the Houston series to Milwaukee thanks to the hurricane, and oh yeah, Zambrano gets a no-no" fiasco.

Despite the no-no, the Astros actually won the season series last year 8-9, despite the Cubs outscoring the 'Stros 78-60. Look for the split here, and some late-inning heroics from one of the LSU boys (article coming tomorrow), Theriot or Fontenot, off Valverde.

Prediction: Cubs win one of two.

May 8 - May 10 (three-game series)
Chicago Cubs vs Milwaukee Brewers

The Cubbies make their second trip to Milwaukee, knocking out a bulk of their road trips against NL Central foes in the process. Although it'll only be early May, the Brewers pitching should begin to shape up as either a strength or weakness.

Will Gallardo be the ace at this point?

How will free agent Braden Looper be holding up? And possibly most important, will Trevor Hoffman have discovered the fountain of youth? I see the Cubs dominating the Brew Crew this season, and it won't be any different this series.

I like a Cubbie sweep!

Prediction: Cubs win three of three.

May 12 - May 14 (three-game series)
San Diego Padres vs Chicago Cubs

Just when the Cubs slump in late April, they'll begin to build momentum throughout May. The Padres have a bleak 2009 outlook, even though they retained ace Jake Peavy.

Perhaps the Cubs will get a glimpse of what could've been with Peavy, but regardless, I like the Cubbies to take two of three and have solid momentum going as the Astros and Cardinals are next up on schedule.

Prediction: Cubs win two of three.

May 15 - May 17 (three-game series)
Houston Astros vs Chicago Cubs

These clubs will be quite familiar with each other at this point, which doesn't fare well for either pitching staff. Despite their woeful pitching rotation, the Astros have more than capable bats like Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee and Miguel Tejeda.

As these season series goes forward, I believe the Astros will become tougher for the Cubs. I like the Astros to slow the Cubbies down a bit, especially if Oswalt gets the ball here. I give the Astros two of three.

Prediction: Cubs lose two of three.

May 19 - May 21 (three-game series)
Chicago Cubs vs St. Louis Cardinals

We'll conclude the first quarter of the '09 season with another series including the Cubs and another NL central rival. Much like the Astros, the Cardinals will get plenty of looks at the Cubs pitching staff, which could be troubling for the Cubs.

As the weather begins to warm up, look for Pujols and Soriano to have monster series here. I like the Cubs to escape Busch with two wins, but they won't be easy by any stretch of the imagination.

Prediction: Cubs win two of three.

Well it was fun forecasting the first quarter of the 2009 season for the Cubs. I'll present the second quarter Thursday, followed by the third and fourth quarters next week. I hope you all enjoyed my attempt at psychic reading. Thanks for reading!

Chris Jericho—an Ode, Part I: Tribute to "Lionheart"

Josh Tolleson — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:00:59 -0400

"I want you to want...ME!"

Those of us who've followed the career of Chris Jericho since arriving to the mainstream wrestling scene in the mid-'90s have been captivated by his charisma, his athletic prowess, and his entertaining abilities. Don't worry, Lionheart, we wanted you for sure!

North American wrestling fans became well acquainted with Jericho in 1996, when he made his debut with Extreme Championship Wrestling. His most notable match was a four-way dance for the ECW Television title which included Shane Douglas, Pitbull No. 2, and Too Cold Scorpio.

Although Jericho lost that match, he did beat Pitbull No. 2 to win the ECW TV title before losing the title at Heatwave '96.

In August '96, Jericho made the jump to World Championship Wrestling. He made his Pay Per View debut in a losing effort against Chris Benoit at Fall Brawl '96. Jericho was stuck in WCW mediocrity until his heel turn in January '98, defeating Rey Mysterio, Jr. for his third WCW Cruiserweight Title.

Jericho's heel turn was the turning point of his career. His hilarious promos, tremendous heel tactics, and savvy mic skills forced WCW brass to push him, despite the infamous political turmoil that infested WCW.

Having enough of WCW's turmoil, Jericho negotiated and struck a deal with World Wrestling Federation, debuting on 9-9-99, signaling the end of "Lionheart" Chris Jericho, and the end of "Lionheart" Chris Jericho.

In Part II of "Chris Jericho—an Ode," I'll look back at "Y2J" Chris Jericho, including his humorous exchanges with The Rock, and of course, Jericho becoming the first ever Undisputed World Champion.

Thanks for reading.

Will Fukudome's Struggles Lead To Another Move?

Josh Tolleson — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 05:01:08 -0400

We haven't heard sirens go off in the Windy City yet, but is it time to consider panic mode for Kosuke Fukudome?

Since June 20th, Kosukue's average has dropped from .298 to .275 and his on-base percentage has dropped from .431 to .401.

Unfortunately, his power and RBI production have decreased as well, only belting 2 homers and 5 RBIs in that span. He's only had 7 multi-RBI games this season, the last coming June 11th against Atlanta.

Lou Piniella moved Kosuke down to 7th in the lineup Saturday night, signifying the Cubs are willing to swap Kosuke around due to his struggles.

With Soriano due back very soon, will Lou's original plan of keeping Kosuke # 2 still remain? Or will Theriot slide back to his familiar spot?

With the trade deadline less than two weeks away, the question arises:

Will the Cubs make another move before the All-Star break?

In my opinion, I find it doubtful they'll trade for another outfielder. They'll ride out Kosuke's struggles and hope for the best.

Let's just hope this is just Kosuke's big slump of the season and he rebounds with a big Fall.

Here's to optimism, Cub fans!

Chris Jericho Revisits His Past with a Great Performance on Raw

Josh Tolleson — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:32:11 -0400

This past Monday on Raw, most people were left wondering, "What the heck was Vince thinking?" following the Cena/JBL murder angle. But for us Jerichoholics who've followed Chris Jericho for numerous years, it was quite a pleasant surprise.

Jericho fought Paul London, a tremendous worker who, like many, is overlooked due to his lack of size. Both men put on a respectable match. Not five stars by any stretch, but it served its purpose: to progress the Jericho/Michaels program into the Bash.

The match itself was good, but the ending and post-match promo by Jericho sent chills down my spine. Seeing Jericho apply the "real" Walls of Jericho (also known as the "Liontamer" from his pre-WWE years) excited the heck out of me.

Kudos to London for being able to handle the maneuver, in which Jericho fell to one knee, thus creating the appearance that it was much more painful than his normal Walls, which is a bona fide Boston Crab.

Jericho's post-match promo on London was fantastic as well. It showed a side of Jericho we're unaccustomed to—a darker, more intense side that further displays his unbelievable talent.

I haven't been a big fan of WWE's product recently, and as someone who's been a fan for 20 years, it was refreshing to see something straight from the "glory" years of pro wrestling.

Holy Cow! The Team Of The 90s: Chicago Cubs Edition

Josh Tolleson — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:19:37 -0400

What's that noise? Ah, it must be that knacking sound of nostalgia...with a side of goofiness!

It's hard to believe it's been nearly a decade since the days of Grunge, William Jefferson Clinton, and scandal-free Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. But to us Cub Fans, the 90's were...forgettable.

Sure, the 90's brought us Doug Dascenzo, but with a .476 winning percentage, the ever lasting "Hunt For The Next Santo" at the hot corner, and with a grand total of one playoff win, the 90's were a rough decade for Cub Nation.

Without further ado, here is my Chicago Cubs Team Of The 90's

Around The Horn:

1B: Mark Grace— A no-brainer, Grace was Mr. Cub of the 90's. By compiling 1754 hits (most doubles by any player of the decade, by the way), three All-Star Game appearances, and was the perennial gold-glove winner at first base, Gracey represented the organization and the City of Chicago with class.

2B: Ryne Sandberg— Another no-brainer, the Hall of Famer's humble approach to the game symbolized class, integrity, and a charming respect for the game. Prior to Sammy Sosa, Ryne Sandberg was the face of the Chicago Cubs.

3B: Steve Buechele— Unfortunately, Buechele is most remembered as being one of seven players who failed to live up to expectations at the hot corner. He peaked from '86-'89 with the Texas Rangers, then a few years later joined the Cubs in '92 before returning to the Rangers in an injury-plagued 1995 season. He would go on to retire at the conclusion of that season.

SS: Shawon Dunston— You can't help but smile when the name "Dunston" is mentioned. Despite giving Grace head-aches with his frantic throwing-accuracy, Dunston's hustle and charisma made him the Toast of the Windy City. Dunston enjoyed his best 90's season with the Cubs in 1995, where he hit .296 with 14 homers and 69 RBIs.

LF: Henry Rodriguez— Oh Henry! H-Rod played a crucial part of the Cubs '98 Wild Card season, belting 31 home runs, while providing protection for Sosa in the lineup. Henry brought the ever-popular "Oh Henry Bar" to Wrigley, and for 2 seasons, he sported Cubbie Blue.

RF: Sammy Sosa — Sosa over Dawson!? This was a tough choice for me, but Sosa's production in the 90's cannot be denied, even if his ethical standards are questionable. He led the team in homers, RBIs, and even stolen bases for the decade. Don't worry, Dawson gets his due a few picks later (it'll be controversial!).

CF: Brian McRae— Although Brian only played a couple of seasons, the Cubs had very few bona fide centerfielders. Acquired in a trade with the Mets that included Mel Rojas (yuck), McRae provided a spark-plug and winning attitude. Lance "One Dog" Johnson or Dwight Smith are worthy as well, but I'll take McRae.

C : Joe Girardi — Girardi never had a big bat, but he sure could call a game. His leadership and guidance helped develop Greg Maddux into a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

DH: Andre Dawson— A DH for a Cubs team!?!? Well I just couldn't put Dawson on the bench, so I'll swallow my NL pride and bat him cleanup as my DH. The Hawk is hands-down a Hall of Famer, and his loyalty to Cub Nation was evident when he once signed a blank check to remain a Cub. Gotta love The Hawk!

Bench:

MI: Rey Sanchez — A versatile glove-man, Sanchez spent a bit of time in the 90's providing excellent options for Cub managers. Rey's stats never jumped out at you, but small ball was his game.

CI: Jose Hernandez— Much like Sanchez, Hernandez was a valuable role-player for much of the 90's. He peaked on the '98 Wildcard squad, where he hit 23 homers and drove in 75 RBIs while starting at the hot corner. But Cub fans will most remember him for grounding into the NL Central-clinching double play in 2003 as a member of the Pirates.

C : Scott Servais— Scott Servais was certainly serviceable. Although he didn't catch Wood's 20 K game in '98 (Sandy Martinez holds that distinction), he helped Wood in his development.

Power Bat: Glenallen Hill — This is all I got to say

Speed/Clutch: Doug Glanville— Great glove/range, as well as tremendous speed, Glanville was a solid ballplayer. He never reached his potential, but his talent, and brains, got him on my squad.

"Fab Five"

SP: Greg Maddux — Bar none, the ace of the 90's squad, or any squad, for that matter. Compiling 50 wins in just three seasons ('90-'92), Maddux was on his way to becoming the best pitcher of the 90's, and arguable of his generation.

SP: Kerry Wood — Even though he pitched only two seasons in the decade, he certainly left his mark on the franchise. Not only did he strikeout 20 batters in 1998, his Rookie of the Year campaign helped elevate the Cubs into their lone playoff appearance. The lone Cub remaining from the decade, and his loyalty make him an all-time great Cub.

SP: Kevin Tapani— After Maddux and Wood, it really drops off. Tapani was the ace of the '98 squad with a 19-9 record. His experience and command contributed to the Cubs '98 success. Unfortunately, Tapani went 6-12 the following season, and never repeated his success.

SP: Mike Morgan — Along with Maddux (20-11), Morgan brought stability to the '92 club, going 16-8 with a 2.55 ERA. Morgan compiled 30 wins in his four seasons with the Cubs, which included two stints (he was dealt to the Cardinals in '95, then returned to Chicago in '98).

SP: Jamie Navarro— Although he only spent two seasons with the Cubs before going to the South Side, Navarro was an impressive 29-18 with a 3.60 ERA. Like Glanville, Navarro never reached his full potential.

Achilles Heel of the Decade, oops, I mean the Bullpen:

LHP: Paul Assenmacher— Probably most remembered for his super-cool last name, Assenmacher served as a reliable lefty-specialist. Paul struck out 117 batters in just 102 innings in '91.

SU: Rod Beck — It's all about the mustache, baby! One of the best closers of the 90's, Beck saved 51 games in the '98 campaign, with an impressive 81:20 K/BB ratio. Even though he struggled mightily the following season, and was dealt to Boston, Rod Beck's '98 season was remarkable. RIP Rod.

CL: Randy Myers — The most superior closer the Cubs had in the 90's, Myers devastation left batters flustered. Racking up 112 saves in three seasons, Myers was nearly unhittable, and his impressive 3.59 ERA makes him one of the more under-rated closers in MLB history.

Side Note — I couldn't find two more relievers to fill out the bullpen...it was that bad folks.

Honorable Mention: Doug Dascenzo, Luis Salazar, Turk Wendell, Mickey Morandini

Not So Honorable Mentions:Jeff Blauser, Kevin Orie, Todd Hundley, Anthony Young, Mel Rojas

Manager:Don Zimmer

Broadcasters:Harry Caray, Steve Stone

I'm sure you guys will disagree with these picks, so feel free to give me some feedback. I want to spark some conversation. Thanks for reading.