2008 Chicago Cubs Predictions & Season Preview
June 8, 2008
The Chicago Cubs are hoping that the signing of Japanese stare Kosuke Fukudome can lead them to a World Series birth in the 100-year anniversary of their last World Series crown. This right field star was signed to a four-year, $48 million deal in December. GM Jim Hendry says the 30-year-old solves many problems for a team that won a weak NL Central Division last season before getting swept in the first round of the playoffs. Hendry thinks he is their do-it-all guy that adds a great lefthanded bat in the outfield. He thinks he is the whole package with a great batting average, on base percentage, slugging and a gold-glove caliber defender with a tremendous arm in right field. But Fukudome is only a small part of the equation. The Cubs hope their other pieces can fall into place for a return trip to the postseason, and ultimately the postseason. Below Larry Cook gives you his 2008 Chicago Cubs predictions along with a detailed season preview.
Starting Rotation:
The Cubs have the top 3 in their rotation set in stone with Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly and Rich Hill leading the way. After that it’s not so simple. Jason Marquis won 12 games but was not in the Cubs’ plans during the playoffs, and that could definitely cause some uneasiness this year. Ryan Dempster could get back into the rotation if he can’t get it done as their closer. Sean Marshall and Kevin Hart get their chance to impress in spring training. Zambrano won a career-best 18 games in 2007 but got into fights with former teammate Michael Barrett and ripped Cubs fans who booed him. It’s always interesting to see Zambrano pitch as anything can happen.
Bullpen:
It looks as if Ryan Dempster is going to be in the starting rotation, leaving the door open for Kerry Wood to come in and close. Wood has earned this spot with an excellent spring training. The Cubs have two of the best setup men in the business with Carlos Marmol and Bob Howry. Marmol had a brilliant 1.43 ERA in 69.1 innings last year in his coming out party. The Cubs traded for Atlanta’s Jose Ascanio and picked up a Rule 5 draft pick in Tim Lahey from Tampa, and both righthanders will be given a thorough look through spring training.
Line-Up:
Alfonso Soriano has stated that he wants to leadoff and he will be given that role to start the season in left field. He continues to produce, but high strikeout totals don’t make him an ideal No. 1 hitter. SS Ryan Theriot hit .202 in September in his first full major league season last year. He impressed during the rest of the year and will be given the No. 2 spot in the lineup this season. The Cubs are thrilled with their No. 3 through No. 5 hitters in 1B Derek Lee, 3B Aramis Ramirez and RF Kosuke Fukudome. C Geovany Soto should added much needed pop at the plate, something the Cubs have been yearning for quite some time now. 2B Mark DeRosa is not a power guy but has averaged 73 RBIs the past 2 seasons in the No. 8 hole. CF Felix Pie is a top defensive player with killer speed. He will be given his change as the starting center fielder as he bats 8th in this lineup, but needs to rid himself of bad habits at the plate if he wants to keep his spot. On the bench the Cubs have the luxury of OF Matt Murton, a career .296 hitting in 830 big league at-bats that could make him a top pinch hitter and backup. UT Daryle Ward is a valuable left-handed pinch hitter off the bench who can hit the long ball and fill in at first base when needed. UT Ronny Cedeno killed the ball at Triple-A Iowa but has been inconsistent on offense in the majors. C Henry Blanco is a veteran backup catcher if Soto doesn’t live up to his expectations.
Cubs 2008 Predictions:
Manager Lou Piniella knows his personnel much better this year, but he will constantly be making changes to this lineup to put the best team on the field every day. Winning the NL Central in his first year at the helm is promising, but Milwaukee is strong again, while Houston and Cincinnati have made big strides in the offseason to become more competitive. Unlike last year, 85 wins won’t win this division. The Cubs need at least 90 in the win column and we feel they are fully capable. This is why I have picked the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central Division in 2008.
Larry Cook finished with the #5 World Ranking with his baseball picks in 2007 last year. Hard work with research, analysis and starting pitcher breakdowns gives Larry the edge over your sportsbook and bookies. You won’t believe the kind of profits you can make by signing up for any of Larry’s long-term packages. By doing so, you will get in on all of his winning MLB action this season. Larry will guide you to profits you have never seen before once he makes his move up to the #1 spot in 2008.
2008 Chicago Cubs Odds:
Odds to win NL Central:
10/11
Odds to win 2008 NL Pennant:
9/2
Odds to win 2008 World Series:
12/1