The Chicago Cubs March to the 2006 World Series

It's baseball time again and that means it's almost time for Wood and Prior to go on the DL. Wood anyway. National Expectations are low but they predicted the Cubs to win the past 2 years and are rarely right.

The Cubs, on paper, are better than last year. They have a better CF and leadoff hitter, a stud on defense at SS, a LF who can hit .300 with some pop in ther bat and they improved the middle relief. SP health is always a question but they have decent options.

C Barrett
1B Lee
2B Walker(may not start)
SS Cedano
3B Ramirez
LF Murton
CF Pierre
RF Jones

Other Bench
Blanco, Mabry, Hairston, Perez

Starting Pitchers
Zambrano, Prior, Maddux, Rusch, Williams, Wood, Miller(May)

Relief Pitchers
Dempster, Eyre, Howry, Ohman, Wuertz, Williamson

Others who may make the roster include starters Hill and Guzman, Wellemeyer and Novoa.

Will it be enought to catch the Cards? Possible. If not they are competing with Philly, Mets, Astros, and Brewers for the Wild Card. I'll assume the Braves will win the East and the West will blow again. None of those teams look considerable better or worse than the Cubs. All have holes.

Cubs need to get out of April and May strong. none of this .500 crap. Get 6-10 over early and then build. Don't let the Cards get a big lead early.

Cubs first ST game is March 2nd vs Oak and the tv game is March vs SF.

Hate all Cub players? You'll like Ryan Dempster
Can a guy who knows UHF inside and out be all bad?

And when you are feeling down, sing this song.
Baseball season's on the way
Well you better get ready for a brand new day The Cubs are gonna win today

CHORUS
They're singing, Go Cubs go, go Cubs go The Cubs are gonna win today
Go Cubs go, go Cubs go
Hey Chicago what do you say?
The Cubs are gonna win today

They got the power, they got the speed
To be the best in the National League
Well, this is the year and the Cubs are real
So come on down to Wrigley Field

CHORUS
We're singing now Go Cubs go, go Cubs go
Hey Chicago what do you say?
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go Cubs go, go Cubs go
Hey Chicago what do you say?
The Cubs are gonna win today

Baseball time is here again
You can catch it all on WGN
So step your feet and clap your hands
The Chicago Cubs got the greatest fans

CHORUS
Hear them singing now Go Cubs go, go Cubs go
Hey Chicago what do you say?
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go Cubs go, go Cubs go
Hey Chicago what do you say?
The Cubs are gonna win today.

It would be a nightmare scenerio if Sammy came back. He had a shot w/ the Nationals but passed because of the money and his fly balls would be 30ft short of the warning track in that horrendous park.

Murton had 7HR in 140 AB. If he starts enough he could het 24-28 which would be great.

Cubs set MLB and franchise record in tickets sold
Crazy. You would think the Cubs had a great year last year and Wood and Prior were ready to go. They will sell out in one day when they win it all.

And when that happens I'm sure Sports Illustrated will put Manning and Brady on the cove instead of that important event.

Cubs start off spring training games beating the A's
8-7
Good news
Pierre bunted twice getting a hit in his 2nd attempt. Cedano drove in a run and Dusty actually tried to steal with him(out) Felix Pie got a triple late to tie up the score. The regulrs-Z, Lee, Ramirez, Dempster, Howry all did well.

A's only scored when the Cubs brought in Bryan Corey who has never pitched in the majors and after getting nobody out(3HR) he probably won't.

it could be worse
Well it was going to happen.

Now they Cubs have been as honest as the Bush administration when it comes to injuries but this one doesn't appear to be that bad as Wood still pitched today and didn't even want the surgery. But Hendry felt it was better to clean it up now rather than have Wood aggravate it and be really screwed.

Prior is still the problem as he hasn't faced a batter this spring. This mystery flu or whatever he had seems b.s.

Still I don't think Wood being out is a big a problem as Prior. I expected nothing from him this year and was counting on Prior. Time will tell.

Cubs 15 M's 8
1B Brandon Sing hit 2 hr replacing DLee. He's hit 26 and 32 the past 2 years in the minors. With him and first round pick Brian Dopirak coming up strond and it makes you wonder if the Cubs will resign Lee. He has 1 year left on his deal and wants a deal before Spring training. Dopirak has a few years left before he's ready and Lee will command near 10 million a year. I have a feeling Lee won't be in a Cub uniform next year if Sing does this all Spring.

Lee may want it but I don't see MLB teams giving 15 million to guys over 30 anymore.
Lose 7-2
Dopirak homered and Demster, Williamson, and Koronka pitched poorly resulting in the loss. Pie continues to hit well and has some speed w/ his 2nd triple of the Spring. He may be up with the team by June.

Cubs are on WGN today and I believe Rich Hill is pitching. He needs a great spring.

When did Zambrano get hurt?

Win 5-1
From watching the first few innings the Pitching was decent, I love Pie, and Lee won't be resigned unless the Cubs make the playoffs. If not Sing looked good. He's a big guy and looks like he can hit.

I laughed when the Cards lost again in the playoffs. I'll laugh harder when the Cubs beat them up this year.

Cubs win 12-3
Guzman made his first spring start and pitched 2 innings-1H, 1K, 1W- 0 runs. Dopirak had another good game. With Pie, Cedano, and Murton the Cubs may have actual position player talent coming up.

lose 6-5
Maddux walked 3 in 2 innings. Maddux could go 5 starts w/out walking 3.

In the WBC Carlos Zambron pitched well in spots but gave up a 3 run HR. Hopefull Venuezla gets knocked out early so Z can come home.

D Lee had the game winning HR in the 4th as the USA beat Mexico. He destroyed the ball and the best part was that it was to right which means he's seeing the ball well.

Should be interesting to see what Dusty Baker has to say about Bonds now. My guess, "Hey dude, that's all in the past."

lose 13-8
Shitty pitching, shitty fielding leads the loss. not much to write home about.

And Dusty said he had no idea Barry took drugs. funny stuff.

I hope Guzman isn't the next Corey Patterson

Wood walks
This confirms the procedure was no biggie and that shockingly the Cubs didn't lie about an injury. Next thing you'll tell me there is liquid water at the surface of one of Mars' moons.

Prior faces batters
About time.
While the Cubs told the truth about Wood they are lying about Prior. It makes no sense why he wasn't ready to go.

Jerome Williams gets rocked
Good news for Rich Hill(pitches tomorrow against LAA) and Angel Guzman. 6 runs on 8 hits isn't good. On the other hand no walks so it could be a bit decieving.

Hill not good today
Atleast by the numbers. He did K 4 in 2 innings. Guzman gets to pitch tomorrow and i wish it was on tv.

Best mound charges
Old ESPN clip that shows the top 10(9 anyway) mound charges. Some of them never get old. Unfortunatly it's 2002 ish and Kyle Farnsworth tackleing Paul Wilson of the Reds isn't on there.

Lee continues to drive the ball out of the park in the WBC, Zambrano pitched 4 shutout innings and I think Barrett is catching Clemens next.

Cubs have won 2 out of their last 3. Guzman didn't pitch great if I remember and I didn't see the game on tv anywhere. Cubs/Sox this saturday on WGN. Hopefully it's Cub announcers cuz I really hate the Hawkisms.

The Cubs keep saying Prior isn't hurt and they are bring him on slowly so he doesn't get hurt. And they say he will start the season on the roster. Prior wants some game action before then but the Cubs might just throw him out there with only simulated games.

If the Cubs were this concerned they should have shelled out the big bucks for Leo Mazzone. He would have fixed the mechanics and lowred the team ERA by a half run.

This is why the WBC sucks. D Lee hurts shoulder
And he did it diving for a foul ball, something he probably would not have done in a meaningless ST game.

And in no shit news Prior is having his shoulder tested
Just great. All that's left is Zambrano to be hurt in his next Venuezla start.

I was laughing when you drafted Prior in the 3rd. Bad idea.

If anything take Zambrano that early. Top 10 in K's, 14-16 wins and low whip.

Baker could be gone by August if they aren't in the Playoff hunt.

Maddux strong in win vs Giants
5 hits over 4 innings. Ramirez goes deep.
Prior likely to DL
For a shoulder strain. Sounds like he's scared w/ all his other injuries. Pitchers hurt all the time. I bet Maddux doesn't cry every time his arm hurts. I just wish he could get it together because he really is a great pitcher.

11-9-1

Not a bad Spring start.
beat Seattle 6-1
Rusch is starting to pitch better. 5 innings, 1 hit, 1 run. Eyre has given up 3 hits in 8 2/3 innings. If he pitches close to that it will be a huge upgrade.

So far the Cubs top 3 is decent Zambrano, Rusch, Maddux. Not ideal but if Pierre can spark the offense all 3 can win 15 games with Zambrano capable of 20 wins.

The 4/5 spot is iffy. Williams pitched well last year with little run support. Rookies Guzman and Hill are battling for 5. With Prior, Wood, and Wade Miller not ready till May, the Cubs need a fast start. Now if either Prior, Wood, or Miller come back in top form I can see Wild Card and within 7 games of the Cards.

Good News-Lee finally played and ARam is on fire.

The most shocking news ever-Wood/Prior to start season on 15 day DL.

Marquis Grissom retired.

Todd Wellmeyer(out of options) traded to the Marlins.

Lefty Sean Marshall tabbed as Cubs 4th starter
Zambrano, Rusch, Maddux, Marshall. Not sure if they are skipping the 5th starter for a while.

Cubs 25 man roster

Starters Batting Order
CF-Pierre(L)
2B-Walker(L)-primary starter
1B-Lee
3B-Ramirez
RF-Jones(L)
C-Barrett
LF-Murton
SS-Cedano

Reserves
C-Blanco
2B,OF-Hairston
2B, SS, 3B-Perez(S)
RF, LF, 1B-Marbry(L)
OF, 2B, SS, 3B-Bynum(L)
OF-Pagan(S)

Starting Pitching
Zambrano
Rusch(L)
Maddux
Marshall(L)
Williams

Relief
Eyre(L)
Howry
Wuertz
Ohman(L)
Williamson
Dempster(Closer)

Cubs have improved team speed and a vastly improved bullpen. Starting pitching is average with room for improvement if Wood, Prior or Miller comes back. Offense will have to learn not to rely on the longball though Lee, Ramirez, Jones, and Murton have 20+HR in them and Barrett and Walker should hit 15 each.

Dusty will have to steal more bases and hit and run. They need to get early leads and rely on the strong bullpen.

A Wild Card run is not out of the question. The NL isn't filled with world beaters and the Astros and Cards got weaker. Of course the Brewers seem better but they are, as of now, just potential.

It's deja vu all over again. Last year the Cubs score 16 on Opening Day, this year 16. 2003 I believe they scored 15 against the Mets.

From what little I've seen, and more I've read, a tea cup strike zone would be considered huge for this ump. 17 walks(10 Cubs, 7 Reds).

And team speed highlighed this game. Pierre and Cedano had bunt hits and there were a few more infield singles. Pagan also showed some wheels.

Cubs win 16-7

Cubs lose 8-6 despite 3, 2 run HR. Giving the opposing pitcher a HR in the 3rd led to Aurilia getting a 2 run shot with 2 out.

On home to face the Cards. With rain expected this entire weekend I hope they can get the games in.

Cubs beat Cards 5-1
This one was a worry because Maddux is so shaky in April. While he wasn't dominating, he just outpitched Suppan. 4 hits and 2 walks was all he allowed. Bobby Howry ccame in and looked fantastic with the 5/5 batters he faced.

Again speed was the name of the game for the Cubs. A triple and a hustle double by Cedano, attempted suicide squeeze, and great range in the outfield by Murton and Jones.

There is a definate differance the way the Cubs are playing this year. Murton is playing well in left. Cedano has a gun at short that shortened an inning today. They are being aggressive on the basepaths but not Alou/Sosa aggressive where they don't know the situations and get called out.

Cubs beat Cards 5-1
This one was a worry because Maddux is so shaky in April. While he wasn't dominating, he just outpitched Suppan. 4 hits and 2 walks was all he allowed. Bobby Howry ccame in and looked fantastic with the 5/5 batters he faced.

Again speed was the name of the game for the Cubs. A triple and a hustle double by Cedano, attempted suicide squeeze, and great range in the outfield by Murton and Jones.

There is a definate differance the way the Cubs are playing this year. Murton is playing well in left. Cedano has a gun at short that shortened an inning today. They are being aggressive on the basepaths but not Alou/Sosa aggressive where they don't know the situations and get called out.

The new bleachers look great too. There is a spot in the RF bleacher wall(where the green door was) that you can look though to see the game from the sidewalk. The CF has a nice looking resturant.
And of course they are called Bud Light Bleachers with a plaque outside the stadium.