just really want to see what everyone thinks if this is really the year for the cubs or not. if u don't think its the year y but if u do then y
2007-09-29 18:33:37 · 12 answers · asked by jeangray26 5 in Sports ➔ Baseball
As someone who has watched 110+ games of this year and is a long time Cubs fan to the point I have several Cubs tattoos, I can say that you certainly pose a hard question.
Look at the team. At catcher they have Jason Kendall, a strong veteran and average catcher. His backup is Geovanny Soto. Soto is the type of young spark plug that every team seems to have that wins the world series. Remember Reyes last year or KRod for the Angels or Beckett for the Marlins? Soto could be the young star who shines on the big stage.
At first they have Derek Lee. Lee always hits for over .300 and his fielding is gold glove quality day in and day out. This year he has tried to hard to swing for power but is still in the top 5 of his position. Plus, he has post season experience with the Marlins in 03.
At second they have Mark DeRosa. DeRosa is the heart of the team. He always gets the timely hitting and isnt afraid to play any corner infield/outfield position if needed. He also has post season experience with the Braves.
At short they have Ryan Theriot. The guy can hit for average, steal, and get you a sacrifice fly or bunt at any at bat. His fielding is ok, he doesnt get errors but unfortunately some balls do fall out of his range.
At third is Aramis Ramirez. Somehow this guy hit quite a bit over .300 this year. It surprises me because he always seems like a free swinger. His fielding isnt fantastic but the fact is that he is the most underrated third baseman in the game today. You never hear him mentioned with the greats.
In the outfield the Cubs should go with Soriano, Jones and Floyd. Soriano has been off the charts hitting for power as an unconvention lead off man. Also, his fielding is good and he can throw out ANYONE going from third to home.
Jacque Jones isnt a great hitter or fielder but is decent at both. Somewhat of a liability in centerfield. It may be better to bite the offensive bullet some nights and put Pie out there.
As for Cliff Floyd, the guy is old and slow out in the field but has been hitting the cover off of the ball. He is the kind of guy you want batting 6th or 7th when the playoffs come around.
The thing people dont mention is the fact that that all three guys have a decent amount of postseason experience. Also, off the bench the Cubs have Daryle Ward, Matt Murton, Felix Pie and Mike Fontenot, all of which are decent hitters.
As for pitchers, Lilly and Zambrano are spotty. They are either lights out or they give up 5 runs in the first three innings. With that said, substitute 2 or 3 good games for any 2 or 3 bad games they had and both are then 20 game winners and cy young candidates. Marquis is a post season liability and the closest thing to a sure loss. He would be good as a 4th or 5th guy in the rotation but gives me nightmares. Rich Hill is a good young pitcher but I question how fatigue has set in the last few months. Finally for the starters, you have Steve Trachsel. I wouldnt be surprised if he is the #4 pitcher over Hill and that is scary. Sure the guy has a massive amount of playoff experience with the Mets, but he is 1-4 as a Cubs starter and really doesnt have it together anymore. Putting him out there for a game is like giving the team a 5-0 lead to start the game.
For the relievers, you have Scott Eyre, Bobby Howry, Sean Marshall (5th starter turned playoff reliever), Rich Hill (could eat some innings), Ohman, Marmol, Wood and Dempster. The relievers are iffy. I have seen guys like Ohman and Howry pitch beautifully this year, and at other times I have seen these guys look scared and helpless. Marmol is the closest thing to a sure thing. Starting next year he will own the Cubs closer role for the next decade. Look for him to be a focus if the Cubs have success in the post season.
I guess, if I look at it, the Cubs do have a shot. They need to get out of the gate early and attack the Dbacks (if that is who they play). The Dbacks are youthful and those teams can struggle their first year in the second season. Plus, I think the Dbacks are the only team in the National League playoff chase that do not have a better pitching staff than us. With that said, if Webb gets a 2 or 3 run lead on the Cubs and hands it over to Valverde, the game is over. The guy is gold against the Cubs and could kill their post season chances. Either way, the series looks like a 5 gamer to me. Who wins? I dunno.
2007-09-29 19:05:32 · answer #1 · answered by jake122683 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Both the Cubs and the Red sox's have curses. The Red Sox's broke their curse..and so can the CUBS. The cubs can make it and win it. we'll just have to wait.
p.s ever think maybe the red sox's still have the curse and that it's to only allow them to win the world series ever 80 or however many years it was? hahaha
2007-09-30 03:35:32 · answer #2 · answered by travelimits 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe they can beat anyone in the NL, but I don't think they match up well again the AL teams like Boston and Cleveland. These teams have just as good pitching as the Cubs do, AND they have more powerful lineups.
Just my opinion... It'd be interesting to see, though!
2007-09-30 02:04:02 · answer #3 · answered by Pete 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's possible. All eight teams are 0-0 starting on Wednesday. It's not going to be easy for the Cubs. They didn't do well against the other playoff teams. I'll be rooting for them.
2007-09-30 02:00:09 · answer #4 · answered by Robert O 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They have a good a chance as anyone. They have been playing good ball all year. Lou Pinella is a genius. I sure hope they do, it would be nice for a change besides the yankees,red sox or Cardinals
2007-09-30 01:38:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
if they play an AL team that isn't the angels then i hope they win it all. i mean zambrano is doing good right now and soriano, lee, and ramirez are catching on fire all at the same time so y cant they represent the weak NL in the WS.
2007-09-30 02:13:21 · answer #6 · answered by yama 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes they are going to win and I'm going to streak all down and around Cell Phone Field painted blue and red. 1907 - 2007 woooooooooo hoooooooooooooo! You know what that means to don't you? Next year we'll repeat.
2007-09-30 01:59:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
no because there pitching is too inconstent. they have great pitching yes, but its too inconstent. and when it comes down to the playoffs, its all about pitching, ask last years tigers during the world series...
i want the cubs to win it now since the tigers cant make it
2007-09-30 01:48:15 · answer #8 · answered by McMoose--RIPYAHS 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
the cubs, come on now, get real.
2007-09-30 02:13:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I said there was no way the Cardinals would win last year, so don't go by me.
2007-09-30 01:37:36 · answer #10 · answered by mattapan26 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋