Chicago Cubs

As stated in my previous entry, I will be previewing all 30 MLB teams before the 2011 regular season begins (in no particular order).

First up are the Chicago Cubs. Will the 2011 Cubs be the first Cubs team since 1945 to go to the World Series? That is highly doubtful. However, the Cubs finished the season 24-13 under then interim manager Mike Quade, which was the best record in baseball during that 37-game stretch. Quade is back as the full-time manager and has a tough job ahead. The NL Central isn't a particularly strong division, but the Cubs aren't a particularly strong team. Their starting pitching is mediocre. Ryan Dempster lead the Cubs with 15 wins last season. Matt Garza has joined the team after being traded by the Tampa Bay Rays. Garza is a nice addition to the pitching staff and should be the Cub's ace this year. Who knows what the Cubs will get out of Carlos Silva and Carlos Zambrano in the 2011 season. Neither were very impressive last season. The Cubs will win a lot if they can take a lead into the 9th inning. Carlos Marmol had 38 saves last season. He walks too many people but his stuff is just nasty.

Offensively, the Cubs brought in Carlos Pena to take over at first base. Pena hit 28 homeruns last year with a batting average of .196 (yikes!). Will young shortstop Starlin Castro hit .300 again. Will Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano be productive? Both are past their prime but will need to be productive for the Cubs to succeed. Outfielder Tyler Colvin, one of my favorite young players, should be better this season after putting up good numbers in his rookie year. The Cubs will look to steal more bases this year, according to this article.

The Cubs will score lots of runs, but will also give up lots of runs. Will they surpass their 2010 win total of 75? I say they will be right around the same total.

Projected Starters:
C Geovany Soto
1B Carlos Pena
2B Blake DeWitt
3B Aramis Ramirez
SS Starlin Castro
LF Alfonso Soriano
CF Marlon Byrd
RF Kosuke Fukudome/Tyler Colvin

P Ryan Dempster
P Matt Garza
P Carlos Zambrano
P Carlos Silva
P Randy Wells
CL Carlos Marmol