Spring Kings in Bums Clothing?
We've all been fooled.
That's what I was left thinking today after the Cubs won their third series this year, second in a row against division competitors--complete with a do-or-die, rain 'em out, come from behind 5 run bottom of the fifth inning-- (to think it all began after a harmless Izturis bloop....hah).
I kept thinking: How can this team be 12 and 14? Well, besides the fact that we're 0 for 6 in 1 run games. I mean this team is dominant. How can we be 5 1/2 behind the Brewers? The Brewers? How can The Brewers have the best record in baseball right now? Who called that?
See, what I'm thinking is this team is really a stellar team that's been posing as a bunch of losers. That's why Lou hasn't flipped yet. He knows that there have been alot of tough bounces and hard knocks and that this team will produce. He's just been patiently waiting. Lou? Patient?. Hell, we're outscoring all our opponents. And outpitching them, most of the time.
Offense-great. Lee-monstrous (the homers are coming). Soriano - turning it on, big time. (please stop with the careless base running). A - Ram-solid. Theriot-exactly what we've always needed, and playing like a vet. JJ-solid (.278 with men in scoring position, could be better). Floyd-Dangerous (with the bat, that is). Barret, Derosa - (will come on stronger). Pie-Wild Card. Is a team batting average with men in scoring position of .282 that bad? (I agree, it should definitely be better). It doesn't have to be Yankees better, but better nonetheless.
Starting pitching--solid, could be dominant (Lily-A, Marquis-A, Hill-B+, Z-will pull it up from a C, you know it. Bull Pen - solid, (sans the ghost of Scott Eyre). Defense - not bad (except Izturis). Defensively, this is not Dusty's team.
In fact, that's what we need to remember, this is not Dusty's team. This is not the Cubs of the last two (or 5, or 10, or 100 years). This is Lou's team, and what question marks will exist this season (too many outfielders, short stop, pen, 5th starter), he will have to manage, and manage he will. You'd have to think that Lou likes this team.
I know I like this team, and I think that the last two series has told me so. This could be a dominant team. I just hope they have fun and not overthink it, b/c all the tools and pieces are there.
We need a fifth starter.
We need Eyre to come back from the dead.
We need to let Lou manage the ss situation......(and tell him to keep Pie)
Then, we might finally see what this team really is--World Champions (at least potentially).
It's ok, we were just fooled for a second there (right?.....right guys?)
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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The SS....
Willis will be out there, but I think we should go after Dan Haren. Trade whatever we have to to get him. If the As keep struggling they will sell, theres already rumors about Harden but Haren is better. I think Murton and two pitching prospects will get it done. Gallagher, Veal, Marmol, or Marshall whoever just get it done.
Towards the end of the season and in the playoffs I would trust Zambrano and Hill, Marquis and Lilly not so much. They have been great thus far and I hope it lasts but thats not a guarantee. You can never have enough starters and after last year we all know that already.
Possible rotation in the playoffs.
Game 1 Haren
Game 2 Hill
Game 3 Zambrano
Game 4 Lilly/Marquis
I think it would be better to throw Hill(lefty) in between Haren and Big Z, plus Z against the other teams #3 is an easy win and he would go in game 7.
Add to that a good lineup and bullpen, we would be hard to beat.
by Me and Lou WS 07 on May 3, 2007 12:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice summary of the season so far
Big Z: C+ Obviously, the multigame meltdowns have dragged down his marks, but his most recent outing shows him on the upswing. He turns another couple starts like his last one and he'll be on the honor roll tout suite.
Ted Lilly: A- His most recent outing was his first sign of weakness, otherwise he's been excellent.
Jason Marquis: A He's turned in a gutsy performance every time Lou has given him the ball. I know it may not not last all season but, for now, this guy has really won me over. Love the bat, too.
Rich Hill: A No pitcher is perfect all of the time, but Hill has been damn close. Ladies and gentleman, the projections appear to be true.
Wade Miller: D And now we enter the black hole that is the fifth spot. What many of us expected from Marquis, we have gotten from Miller. Low velocity + up in the zone = BOOM! Nonetheless, he's shown guts in getting out there and, I suppose, the damage he's incurred could have been worse. I'd take a better option in a minute -- too bad it's so unclear whether we have one.
by dat cubfan daver on May 3, 2007 11:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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