Filed:October 30th, 2008
Kosuke Fukudome and Reed Johnson celebrate a Cubs win (Cubbie Nation/File)
Click here for the 2008 in Pictures gallery
It's over.
With a fantastic 4-3 win over the Rays last night, baseball has found its king in the Philadelphia Phillies, and the 2008 season is officially drawn to a close.
While I most sincerely wish that we were looking at the Cubs celebrating instead right now, having spent some time in Philadelphia, and knowing some of their more polite fans, I'm extremely happy for them. It's been a incredibly maligned team for most of this decade. Pegged a classic and chronic underachievers, they finally found the right combination of players, and expectations fulfilled in guys like Pat "The Bat" Burrell to punch their ticket. Congratulations, even to Scott Eyre, who likely is having the last laugh on Lou right about now.
But this isn't about the Phillies. It's partly in that every other team and their fans are left to spend a long winter contemplating what might have been, and what could be for the next season. Countdowns to Spring Training have officially begun, the Hot Stove season is around the corner, and even the saddest of us will be forced to forget 2008 soon enough.
But there are three things that I learned covering the Cubs this season that I never quite knew before. First, the season ends much too soon and abruptly. Especially when expectations are not met. And yes, after success in the last few seasons, there are a lot more fans at the park who have expectations. Second, that you can't get photos that anyone really wants to look at from the outfield. Lesson learned.
Lastly, is that it takes everybody to make a successful team. And I mean everyone in the organization, and most certainly on the field. Some guys you'll remember for all your lives. Some only the hardcore fan will sort of remember. "Hey, remember Mike Fontenot and those homers that he was launching in 08?" And as free agency, harsh realities, and desires to upgrade set in, some guys are all but forgotten. Teams change. This one already has, with Casey McGehee waived. He was acquired by the Brewers yesterday.
These guys shouldn't be forgotten. And so in what I hope to be an annual piece at Cubbie Nation, I submit the 2008 team in pictures. I'm pretty sure that we've included any and all who made an appearance with the Cubs this season, and the coaching staff. It was a great season, one of the best in Cubs history; even if it ended so poorly. I hope you find that I've done them justice.
Filed:October 27th, 2008
Adrian Gonzalez (Cubbie Nation/File)
It may be a touch premature, but I'm preparing a big thank you for my Philly friends the next time I'm in town. After watching MLB playoffs the last five years that featured: the Cubs meltdown in 2003; the Red Sox removing their curse in 2004; the White Sox in 2005, and 83 win Cardinals teaming winning in 2006, and the Red Sox doing it once more for good measure in 2007, my dignity can/could not suffer the Tampa Bay Devil Rays winning in 2008. Eleven years in existence -- all losing seasons before 2008 -- and a championship? Well, after last night's Phillies 10-2 win, I think I can put my search for a gas oven to stick my head in to rest.
It's disappointing though, in all seriousness. My initials thought was that the Rays would take momentum, couple it with home field and a too young to know better mentality, and take advantage of a Philadelphia pitching staff that gets a bit shaky past Hamels, Myers, and Lidge. What we're seeing instead is a team melting down quickly. Too many errors, a completely shutdown middle of the order for Tampa, and just some bad luck have them down 3-1 and on the verge of giving the Phillies their first championship in nearly 30 years. Somewhere Ed Wade has got to be shaking his head, and wondering "Why couldn't they do this for me?"
Back in Cubdom
I generally try to leave the mainstream media and their journalists alone; I mean really, it's just piling on. Put someone passed me this recent article by Phil Rogers over at the Tribune. Wow. I'm actually embarrassed for him. Now believe it or not, I'm one of the few who think that the Cubs could land Jake Peavy, assuming that they would part with Carlos Marmol and Jeff Samardzija, if only because Peavy calls the shots with trade destinations. But for those of you who don't know, owner John Moores is shedding assets, having found himself in the middle of a divorce which will force him to sell a 49% stake in the Fathers. Hell, the Peavy trade talk is mostly centered around the cash-strapped Padres relieving themselves of the roughly 60 million owed to him over the next four years. So explain to me why the Padres would have any interest in trading Adrian Gonzalez -- owed a little over a million for the next two years -- for a 26 million dollar Lee contract over that same time. The same Lee who is older, arguably a worse player at this stage of his career, and likely to see his power numbers decline further playing in Petco. Oh, and the Padres would probably command a kings ransom dangling Gonzalez out there as a power alternative to Manny Ramirez and Mark Teixeira this off-season. Yes Phil, you're officially the newest member of the lunatic fringe.
Honestly, Derrek Lee should go. But the much more likely scenario if it happened would be a shift of Mark DeRosa to 1st, and pursuing a Rafael Furcal or Orlando Hudson, rather than dumping a bloated contract on a team in exchange for one of the premier power hitters in the game.
It is good to see a GM with more sense than money for a change however, as Frank Wren states publicly that the Braves won't part with their top prospects for Peavy. Rumor has it a one point the discussion was centered around Tommy Hanson, Yunel Escobar, AND Kelly Johnson. That's quite a haul, and that's before the dollars are considered, which seem a bit pricey for the Braves. I see the logic in parting with both of the infielders, with replacements in the wings by the 2010 season at latest. But Hanson should be considered untouchable, and it's refreshing to see a GM a touch realistic about where his club is actually at.
And speaking of power, Aramis Ramirez winning the Hank Aaron award? Really? No Howard, Wright, Berkman, Pujols, or Manny? I think it's time to put fan voting on the backburner for awhile.
Congratulations to Pat Listach, added to the Washington Nationals staff as third base coach last week. Pat by all indications is an excellent managerial talent, and on the fast track to a manager's job in the pros. I'd look for him to be on the short-list for some team as early as 2010.
Interestingly, Jim Riggleman and Marquis Grissom have been added to the staff as well. What happens if you have three or more ex-Cubs as coaches?
My favorite news of the week has to be word that the Cubs may open the new Yankee Stadium in a series of exhibition games, which sounds fantastic. The teams are still in negotiation to make this happen, and I do have some concern about an already crowded spring schedule, with the WBC upcoming. However, there is something so inherently cool about the tradition and classics of the old, meeting the cutting edge and advanced new. Do it.
From his mouth to God's ear: Lou Piniella got a very nice shout out from the New York Times, confirming in print what I think many of us knew. They go on to state:
Piniella said the Cubs' main agenda these next few weeks will be to re-sign pending free agents Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood and explore trade options for lefthanded hitting and bullpen help. He also said he plans to move Kosuke Fukudome, the Cubs' $48 million Japanese import whose second-half slump exasperated the manager, to center field as part of a platoon with Reed Johnson.
Sounds about right. There's an upcoming series that we'll be running here shortly that will elaborate, but there is a name that I keep coming back to. Nick Swisher.
And I think this just confirmed that someone will be leaving town. Felix Pie, we hardly knew ya.
Filed: October 20th, 2008
In what is the worst surprise of the month, given last week's news of the Cubs refusal to allow the Mariners to interview him, numerous media outlets are reporting that Jim Hendry has agreed to and signed a four-year extension to continue as GM of the Cubs.
While I have generally viewed Jim Hendry as only a better-than-average general manager during his tenure in Chicago, I think this is a good think. In my mind, continuity is key to a successful franchise, first and foremost. And for his questionable evaluation and development of organizational talent, he has done well since leaving Andy McPhail's shadow in creating and executing a plan for the rise of the Cubs. Back-to-back winning seasons, shrewd free-agent signings, and tirelessly working to make Chicago a premier baseball destination for fans and free agents alike that it should have been all along rank high with me.
However, what probably is most interesting is that with Lou Piniella likely not managing past 2010, he'll certainly have a say in the hiring of the new manager, which suggests that he has the full support of the potential buyers of the Cubs. Although there has been some talk of the potential sale being delayed, it should still be completed sometime in 2009, given the sizeable upcoming debt service payments the Tribune needs to make. That said, it's difficult to imagine that they bidders were not consulted before granting this extension.
Love him or hate him, Hendry looks to be here to stay. And given that this is another strong signal by the Cubs making a commitment to winning for the foreseeable future, I think it's a good thing.
Filed: October 10th, 2008
Sigh. I'm over it.
And yes, I pretty much needed the entire week away to detox myself of the debacle that was the 2008 NLDS. It doesn't help though being in Philly for the week, where the fans are positively giddy. Even quite a few out-of-towners at my hotel are sporting Phillies gear. Given that with them up in the NLCS 2-0 after the 8-5 win tonight, the Dodgers are likely to be headed home soon, so you can see why my spirits have improved enough to blog. Call me a touch jaded, but I can really do without the MSM -- that especially means you ESPN -- beating us with Manny back to Boston stories for 10 days during the World Series. Yes, I think Boston will get there.
I will say the week has been interesting though. I said to a fan during Game 2 last week that after leaving in Kosuke Fukudome to face Cory Wade -- he struck out -- that this was the moment that Chicago would begin to turn on Lou. It didn't take long. Local media types have been calling out Lou like a dog. For some reason, Dave Kaplan seems to almost have a fetish over the topic, saying on numerous occasions that Lou can't control a clubhouse.
Let me tell you what I think about that. The last times that the Cubs won back-to-back anything was 100 years ago. Since then, they've been wildly inconsistent, not acheiving long-term success, and moving in a reactive mode; generally when the team became so poor that it affected tickets sales and TV audiences. Lou Piniella took a team that was on the verge of losing 100 games the year before, and took them to a division title the very next year. And to a team on the verge of winning 100 inside of two. He's got his senior moments, no question. And personally you know my feelings about some of the moves made during the playoffs. However, whatever problems that the Cubs have are not on Lou. He doesn't catch, he doesn't throw, and he doesn't field. And most of these players are not his guys. He's making the most of the talent he's given and what assets the organization has. And like every manager or coach in pro sports today, has to suffer divas and prima donnas to get the best out of some guys. Ease up. There's a couple in every clubhouse.
It takes time to build not just a winner, but a champion. Ask the Red Sox, who hammered away with good teams against the Yankees for years. Or the Yankees themselves, who searched most of the 90's before finding the right note. The Phillie have been on the verge for years, and look primed to make finally their splash this year. With most of their talent locked up, and Crane Kenney acknowledging not only a commitment to winning next season, but approval for a payroll increase, the Cubs looked primed to make another run. And someone is going to have to cite more than an over-emotional and flaky since birth Carlos Zambrano, and a diva Alfonso Soriano in the clubhouse to convince me that Lou isn't the guy anymore to lead them.
That said, I will share a few do and don't that I hope happen this off-season. The team is close. And a couple of tweaks could make the difference.
Do resign Reed Johnson and Henry Blanco. I know that a 3 million dollar option seems like a bit of a luxury for a backup catcher. Renegotiate if you can, and if not, pick it up anyway. You're a large market team. That's Latin for luxury.
Do resign Bob Howry -- assuming he'll accept an incentive-laden deal. My first reaction after an abysmal 2008 campaign for Howry --5.35 ERA, with 1.45 WHIP -- is to run away screaming when his agent calls. But Bob on a one year, under 1.5 million deal sounds intriguing. If he doesn't work out, you've got this year's Chad Fox. If he does, you've got an affordably priced effective middle reliever, with closing experience. It's not as if they have a rock-solid middle inning solution at the moment.
Do say goodbye to Michael Wuertz and Neal Cotts. Can't. Be. Counted. On. Ever.
Don't keep Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood if cost too much. I love them both. But anything more than 2 year with an option for Woods, or 40 million for Dempster is just nuts. Ryan Dempster was effective this season only because of his level of preparation and conditioning; his words. 40 million bucks has a funny way of making guys stop answering the phone when their personal trainers call. Thank them for their service, offer them arbitration, take the picks, and move on.
Don't get sucked into Raul Ibanez. I'm a HUGE Raul fan, if only for the cool-ass name. But he's a soon-to-be 37 year old, who has always been choppy defensively in left. The notion of moving him to right is mind boggling.
Do find another lefty bat. Orlando Hudson, Bobby Abreu, Brian Roberts, Rafeal Furcal, Jeremy Hermida, Nick Swisher, and Luke Scott are all viable targets. Face it, you've been exposed. Playoff teams will extend their late-inning guy an extra inning, and wear your righty lineup out, as you got no LH punch to break it up, or a lefty off the bench potent enough to make opposing managers get situational. It's straight from a top-tier starter to great late-inning relievers. If you're lucky, you can get three lefties in your everyday lineup. Worst case, you can get a big lefty bat for the bench. And yes, that means goodbye Daryle Ward.
Do drop Derrek Lee in the lineup. It's just time.
Jerremy Affedlt or Damaso Marte. Pick one.
Do trade Felix Pie. Felix is out of options, and the Cubs are out of excuses. I love what I saw of him in September, looking more comfortable around the ballpark, and selective at the plate. However, Kosuke is a problem. Ideally, you'd move DeRosa to right, Kosuke to center field, and go get Brian Roberts. Or you'd get a new RF, and suffer the same dilemma. Any deal that was made with Kosuke to play right was lost when he couldn't hit his weight. If/when he hits next year, you've got a nice platoon. If he doesn't, he's your fourth outfielder. If he really hits, you can move DeRosa to a more natural super-sub role. It works. Point being, are you really prepared to have two lefties on the roster with hitting issues?
Food for thought. Till next time.
Filed: October 5th, 2008
This dream is over. It died when Russell Martin and company burned the Cubs yet again, this time in a series-ending 3-1 loss that will have many questioning whether it's time to blow this team up.
Since I woke up so frustrated with Alfonso Soriano that I considered trading him straight up for Aaron Heilman a good idea -- even if we had to take back Castillo's insane contract -- I think I'm going to need a little time to properly heal from this one. So that said, I'm going to get a little scarce until after the World Series. I'll check in with the occasional update, but I think for me a little distance is good. Maybe for you too.
I will say a couple of things right now though. First, congratulations to the Dodgers. They've got the formula down, and you have to give Ned Colleti some credit. I think owner Frank McCourt is something of a naïf and a loon -- see three-year contract to Jason Schmidt as an example -- but Ned's got good pitching and talented parts, and deserves credit for pairing them with a great coach and a huge impact bat. Good luck to them, as the Phillies look especially good this year. It should be a great series.
For the fans, I say try to keep your head up. I can't begin to stress this enough; the Cubs were a bad organization, and for a very long time. Whether you look at the reactive mode of management, uncaring ownership, the quality of the managerial talent, to the success rate in the draft, they were just bad. But as I think three playoff appearances in five years shows, they're past the loveable loser image. I expect them to be back next season -- regardless of owner -- and there are good things happening in the farm system to make me believe that they can be competitive for years to come if they chose. For whatever our frustration with the 100 year itch, the truth is that there are at fans of at least 25 teams that would happily trade places with us. They'll get this right, and I think sooner rather than later.
And to the Cubs, you choked. Spin it how you like, but you did. And the organization is going to have to make some very important decisions about what they want the team to look like going forward, because the regression to free-swinging hacks isn't going to work. Now, I'll assume that they will attempt to remain competitive for the next few years, as I can't see Piniella having agreed to the 2010 season unless he was given assurances by the potential owners. However, there is much work to be done. I appreciate the need to keep Soriano at leadoff, but you need a rock solid, classic lead-off man hitting in the two-hole if you stick with that. That guy is not Ryan Theriot. Maybe it's Kosuke Fukudome, who I expect better things from next season, but probably not. I'd reopen the Brian Roberts dialogue, but that's just me.
Is it time to say goodbye to Derrek Lee, who has officially stepped over the line into decline phase? Are you parting with Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood? I could go on, but you get the idea. The Cubs have done a nice job of putting talent on the field, but there's not much star power. And no true leaders. The next stop for Piniella is going to be changing the culture, and for that to happen, some people may need to go.
And to readers of Cubbie Nation, thanks for a great season. I received many kind calls and e-mails, which were greatly appreciated. Upgrades and improvements are already in development for next season, so check back often.
Filed: September 2nd, 2008
Click here for photos of 2008 NLDS:Game 2
Disgusting. That's the only word that I find appropriate right now to describe the Cubs in Game 2 of the 2008 NLDS. The team had a complete meltdown in front of 42,136 -- and a national TV audience -- resulting in a 10-3 loss to the Dodgers that has put their season on life support, and raised serious questions about the composition of the team and management.
And when I say complete, I assure you that it isn't hyperbole. Of course, most of you have seen the mess by now.
Consider: The starting pitching. It isn't a stretch to say that Carlos deserved better, but his composure was put to the test in the bizarre second inning, and the innings that followed. Zambrano would last six-plus, and while only three of his seven runs were allowed, he did himself no favors on the mound Thursday.
Consider: The defense, who took what should have at worst been a two-run second inning, and turned it into something from an Abbott and Costello bit. Let's see; first with Andre Ethier on, Ryan Theriot inexplicably tries to bare hand a James Loney hit ball, rather than reaching with the glove. I'll grant you that he had to shift direction, as he was running to second to cover second, but he had a play on the ball, and he did not have to bare hand. As if he was talented enough a shortstop to do so anyway.
Mark DeRosa would then blow a potential double play when he'd bobble a ball hit by Blake DeWitt, that allowed Ethier to score.
Then, with a sure out at first, and at least the chance of an inning-ending double play, Derrek Lee bobbles a ball, allowing Casey Blake to reach. Rafael Furcal would then single in a run, before Russell Martin sent a shot -- and I mean a shot -- into center for a double. Two runs score, and the route is officially on. Maybe you let that be, but considering that Aramis Ramirez would commit one in the fourth, and Theriot in the ninth, it isn't a stretch to say they blew it.
Consider: The hitters, who did nothing against Dodgers starter Chad Billingley, who left one fan in the stands wondering when the Dodgers resurrected Cy Young. The Cubs 1-4 hitters were 4-16, with zero RBI. None.
Consider: The bullpen, who allowed three runs after Zambrano's departure. Even the Carlos Marmol/Kerry Wood combo was no good.
Consider: The manager and coaches, for completely blowing this game. I don't like to disparage coaching about this sort of thing normally, as grown men have to go out on the field and execute. Your manager just isn't going to catch the ball for you. But there were just too many managerial braincramps to ignore.
First Kosuke Fukudome, who apparently Lou is just now figuring out what anybody who has seen the Cubs live over the last few months already knew; he's done. At least for this year. The guys needs to go home, relax, and come back next season. MLB pitchers have adjusted, and Kosuke's headspace is just too wrecked to properly adjust. His body is shot, and you're just not going to tweak his approach enough in-season to get him well.
Lou's postgame quote was priceless:
"From now on, I don't want to hear about Fukudome anymore as far as whether he's going to play or not. I'm going to play [Mike] Fontenot or Reed Johnson or somebody else, and that's the end of that story. The kid is struggling, and there's no sense sending him out there anymore."
Now call me simple, but this was obvious. I can understand starting him in Game 1 to see if you could get something, but hitting him in the two-hole was inexcusable. And letting him go again after going 0-4 was just silly. Consider as well, that with two on and two out in the seventh, Joe Torre brought in right-hander Cory Wade to face Kosuke. Why? Because bringing in a lefty would have resulted in matchup-loving Lou going with Reed Johnson. They wanted that matchup because he hits like a pitcher, and everyone seems to know this but Lou. Point being, you could have gone to Fontenot then. Pie. Ward. Some other left hander who could have given you something. Instead, he sticks with Kosuke, who strikes out; again.
Or again, when he left Neal Cotts in to face right-hander Matt Kemp earlier in the seventh. Everyone knew what was going to happen, and it did. Kemp sent a sharp double down the line, scoring Manny Ramirez. Explain to me please with any number of righties in the pen, and a day off tomorrow, why a manager would do this?
Bottom line, Lou was outcoached.
I'm not one to be a big cheerleader, but I know anything is possible. Just win a game. One game, and we'll see. But between you and me, I've been keeping a little cash tucked away for World Series tickets; just in case. Let's just say that I'm looking at other purchases this morning.
Filed: September 1st, 2008
Ah, there's where he got off to.
Ryan Dempster absolutely imploded Wednesday night, walking seven -- including the bases loaded in the 5th -- and serving up a grand glam to James Loney in that same inning. The result? Cubs lose 7-2, and face what now is a must-win tonight at Wrigley. Carlos Zambrano will start Thursday, facing Chad Billingsley for the Dodgers.
I appreciate that Ryan Dempster is a talented pitcher, who's been extraordinary this season. However, if you've read me for awhile, you know that I was especially unimpressed with Ryan at the beginning of the season. Great stuff, good presence on the mound, but ridiculous walk totals. Now, I'm not sure if it was the weather -- Kerry Wood seemed to suffer from similar problems until the temps started rising -- or approach, but as the season went on, it mostly went away. Mostly.
Last night though we were treated to the Ryan that I saw in April. Good stuff, but the approach just wasn't right. He was pretty much on the ropes from the onset, with baserunners in each inning of work, mostly via the walk. Someone is going to need to have an intervention, because you've got to believe if the Cubs are going to win this thing, they're going to have to do it with Dempster back at Wrigley for Game 5.
Shame too, as a Mark DeRosa home run in the second gave everyone reason for hope. It was Mark's first career postseason homer, and one of his two hits on the night.
Offensively though, that was about it. What did not help was the top of the lineup, where the 1-4 hitters collectively went 2-16. Alfonso Soriano was abused, as expected with any good sinkerball pitcher who can park his stuff lower and better than Soriano can hit those low balls. And while it was controversial to start Kosuke Fukudome in right, it was somewhat unfathomable to hit him second. Fundamentally, I understand the thinking, but in reality he is a hot mess, and Theriot's stroke and approach were much more conducive to hitting Dodgers starter Derek Lowe than Kosuke's. Fukudome goes 0-4 -- and looks bad doing it, while Theriot has a 2-4 night hitting eighth. Dumb.
You can pretty much guess the rest. Trailing in the middle innings, Lou Piniella had no choice but to go to the "B" team in the bullpen, and hope for the best. Didn't work. Sean Marshall, Jeff Samardzija, and Jason Marquis were each tagged for runs in relief, including Marshall allowing the obligatory home run to Manny Ramirez in the seventh, that pretty much put the game away for good.
So, the Cubs go back to it tonight at 8:30 CT. Yes, 8:30. Call me crazy, but I'm just not worried about Zambrano. With plenty of time to rest and collect himself, I expect him to be quite effective, if not crisp. What I do hope to see as well though is:
1) A Mike Fontenot start
2) Ryan Theriot back in the 2 spot.
3) Piniella willing to stretch Carlos Marmol if needed, especially with a day off tomorrow.
4) And a little fortitude out of this team.
It's simple really. 100 years doesn't matter. The season doesn't matter. Hell, last night doesn't matter. All that does is winning Thursday night. Period.
Filed: October 1st, 2008
I should have known.
My breakfast was interrupted yesterday by a rather loud man behind me on his cell phone, proclaiming that the White Sox would beat the Twins senseless in the tiebreaker game Tuesday night. Now, if you've followed the Twins, or for that matter the Sox this season, you knew that was a stretch that only the most homer-ish fan would ever say. After trying to not snort oatmeal through my nose, I looked around to snicker at the gentleman, and saw it was none other than Bill Melton. No point in arguing as you know, but at the end of the day, he was right; mostly. The White Sox beat the Twins 1-0 on a Jim Thome 440-foot blast, and punched the last ticket to the 2008 playoffs for themselves. Sometimes I'm right -- more so than not -- but I am wrong on occasion. And when I made the statement that the 2008 Sox would excite, but ultimately win nothing at the start of this season, I was wrong. Congratulations to the White Sox, and here's to hoping for the best; just not at the expense of the Cubs.
Elsewhere, in a move that I don't completely understand, Lou Piniella will be staying with the Cubs, at least through 2010. I don't get it. He's said he doesn't want to be a lifer on a number of occasions, there's a decent chance that he could go out with a championship this year if he chose, and it's always difficult to fully get the direction that a new owner might take the club. I would imagine that he had some dialogue with the potential buyers before agreeing to the option, but one never knows. Four million bucks helps, but it's odd timing, in my opinion. I think from now on, the next time an athlete tells me that he's retiring, I'll just agree to believe it when I see it.
About tonight's game. I don't believe in billy goats. Black cats. Bartman, or curses. I believe that the Cubs were a shitty team for decades because that what the owners wanted or were content with. I don't know if the 2008 Cubs are the best; I also don't think that the Cubs have to win a World Series for this season to be a success. That's just not how it works, especially when you're trying to rebuild the very nature and existence of a franchise. What I do think though is that the Cubs are the best in the National League, and it's going to take more than a so-so Dodgers team to bounce them this year.
Make no mistake, the pitching is excellent for LA, especially the bullpen. Joe Torre is one of the finest managers in the game, if not the best. Manny Ramirez is a beast, and yes, I've been a big Casey Blake fan for the last few years. But when an already good-to-great team has beaten yours five of seven, that same team rolls into town without their ace, and you've got home-field advantage, then you're expected to win. And you probably will. The middle relief situation is a mess for the Cubs right now, but I look for the starters to go long, and Piniella to extend former starters Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood to help close the gap. Hiroki Kuroda is a stud looming in Game 3, but a potential Game 4 match-up of Ted Lilly vs. Greg Maddux is enough to convince me that the Cubs are in the driver's seat.
Cubs in 4.