Chicago Cubs Preview, Pt. 1: The Pitchers

If there was a word to use as a synonym for cliche', it would be "Cubs".  Is this year next year? 

Yet another promising start to a season was ended in utter disappointment in 2008 when the Cubs enjoyed the best record in the National League, only to see it go to waste in a sweep by Manny Ramirez and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In 2009, it appears as though the Cubs are "locked and loaded" for yet another NL Central crown, and perhaps a run at the World Series.

Starting Pitching Rotation

1.  Carlos Zambrano (2008 Quick stats:  14-6, 3.91 ERA, 130 K, 72 BB, 1 CG No-hitter)

Carlos Zambrano is the most dominant, and maybe the streakiest pitcher the Cubs will feature in their rotation.  While "Big Z" can dominate the opposition at times, he often lets his emotions get the best of him. 

Zambrano's arsenal features arguably the most deadly fastball in the entire league.  He throws a two-seamer that can get all the way up to 98 on the gun, and has more movement than any hitter can handle at that speed.  When Carlos is working that pitch, he is hard to beat.

Carlos mixes in that two-seam fastball with a four-seam fastball that reaches the same mid-90's velocity, and he also throws a sinker.  When he's on top of his game, Carlos' favorite strikeout pitch is his slider, which almost always chalks up a backwards "K".

2009 Projection:  18-6, 3.05 ERA, 175 K, 70 BB

2.  Ryan Dempster (2008 Quick stats:  17-6, 2.96 ERA, 187 K, 76 BB, 1 CG)

Dempster's 2008 campaign made him one of the highest paid free agent pitchers of the past off-season.  He was Chicago's most consistent starter last year, and figures to do much the same in 2009. 

Dempster features a killer sinking seam fastball that can reach 95 on the gun. Maybe even more devastating than his fastbal,l is his slider.  The strikeout pitch that Cubs fans loved so much is back for more in 2009, and Dempster is ready to wheel and deal.

2009 Projection:  15-5, 2.90 ERA, 190 K, 80 BB

3.  Ted Lilly (2008 Quick stats:  17-9, 4.09 ERA, 184 K, 64 BB)

If there was one pitcher that Cub fans were nervous about every time he took the mound, it was Theodore Roosevelt Lilly.  Why?

The lefty's top pitch is his curveball, which, when on, can make opposing hitters look silly.  However, when his curveball hangs up over the plate, there is no easier pitch to hit out of the park.  In fact, one could even argue that all nine of Lilly's losses could be blamed on that one pitch.  If Lilly can limit the amount of home runs he gives up in 2009, he could very easily be a 20-win pitcher.

2009 Projection:  20-10, 3.90 ERA, 190 K, 65 BB

4.  Rich Harden (2008 Quick stats:  10-2, 2.07 ERA, 181 K, 61 BB)

On many teams, Rich Harden is a number one starter.  That speaks volumes to the depth of Chicago's starting rotation.  Harden was an excellent mid-season pickup last year from Oakland, and is probably the best fourth pitcher in all of baseball.

Harden's arsenal features a deadly fastball, which can reach over 100 MPH on the gun.  He also has a great array of off-speed pitches, making him very hard to figure out.

However, Harden's odd delivery causes him to walk far too many batters, and he often finds himself in bases loaded situations.  He absolutely needs to cut down on the walks and keep his pitch count low to be effective for a full season in Chicago.  If he does that, he will win 15 or more games.

2009 Projection:  16-4, 2.10 ERA, 210 K, 70 BB

5.  Sean Marshall (2008 Quick Stats:  3-5, 3.86 ERA, 58 K, 23 BB)

Sean Marshall is the second southpaw on Chicago's rotation, and after what appears to be a very strong spring training, figures to take over the fifth and final spot on the Cubs' rotation.

Marshall is a much taller version of Ted Lilly, in essence.  His key pitch is a 12-6 curveball that quite honestly is baffling when he puts it where he wants.  Like Lilly though, Marshall can get caught leaving that curveball up and over the plate, where good hitters will feast and drive that ball out of the park.

2009 Projection:  12-10, 4.10 ERA, 190 K, 75 BB

Bullpen

The Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies have arguably the best bullpens in Major League Baseball. 

Chicago lost the longest tenured Cub in Kerry Wood, but he figures to be replaced by the flame-throwing Carlos Marmol.  Marmol was an All-Star in 2008 in the set-up role, and if Lou Piniella feels he is more comfortable there, then the closer role will go to former Florida Marlin Kevin Gregg. 

Maybe the key to the Cubs' bullpen is former fifth-round draft pick Jeff Samardzija, who has risen through the organization like nobody's business.

Samardzija is a great strikeout pitcher and is very versatile.  He can be used in both short and long relief situations, and there was even talk that he might take over the fifth starter spot to start the season.

In middle relief, the Cubs will look to Luis Vizcaino, who was acquired in exchange for Jason Marquis earlier this off-season.

Vizcaino is somewhat of a hit-or-miss pitcher, who will either strike out the side or give up a bunch of runs. 

In long relief, the Cubs feature some very solid options.  Chad Gaudin is an underrated pitcher who came over in the deal with Rich Harden last year, and the Cubs recently acquired Aaron Heilman.  Both can step in as spot starters if needed.