Cubs Chronicle One

Once every few weeks (or whenever I don't have anything else to talk about) I will be discussing what has happened recently with the Cubs and will preview upcoming games with what we would like to see happen. I may also do this with the Brewers, you'll just have to wait and see. Anyway, the Chronicle will look something like this:

4/4-4/14

Record as of today: 4-5
Record in division: 2-1
Extra Innings Record: 1-1
Standings:
1. Milwaukee 5-3
2. Houston 4-3
3. Cincinnati 4-4
4. St. Louis 3-4
5. Chicago 4-5
6. Pittsburgh 3-6

Upcoming Series: 4/15-4/17 at Pittsburgh, 4/18-4/19 at Cincinnati, 4/20-4/21 at St. Louis.

The Cubs redeemed themselves with an 8-3 victory in game 2 of a doubleheader with the Padres. Without Aramis Ramirez, Todd Hollandsworth, or Nomar Garciaparra in the lineup, the Cubs scored 8 runs, which was more than enough in Mark Prior's encouraging first start of the season. Derrick Lee led the way and is continuing his non-traditional hot start.

While the team isn't off to the 9-0 start we would all love to see, they aren't doing horribly, like some Cub "fans" think. I don't get why people freak out when a team starts 4-5 and is only 1 1/2 games out of first place. Wood will get his pitching back and will win at least 12 games, Maddux always wins at least 15 even though he gives up a lot of home runs, Prior looked excellent for his first start of the season, and Zambrano is pitching like a Cy Young candidate. The bullpen hasn't been solid, but it is early, nothing a trade can't fix.

Lee is leading the offense, but Garciaparra will regain his preseason form, and Ramirez is solid all around. Neifi Perez and Jerry Hairston Jr. will get more at bats, which they deserve, and right now are excellent options off the bench. The Cubs will have one of the best hitting infields in the Majors this season, don't worry about that.
What we need to see in the next week:

The pitchers all need to work 6 or more innings. I'm not saying they need to go 7-0 over the next week, but stronger and longer outings are needed. This is most important for Wood. He needs to show he still has control over all of his pitches, if only for a few innings, because at this point anything better than yesterday will be acceptable. The bullpen needs to have an ERA less than 2 over the next week. If this happens, we're in the right direction, and if not, it still isn't panic time.

I'm not too worried about any of the hitters. I want to see more of the same over the next week, with the exception of Nomar and Barrett getting on base with a little more consistency. Five runs per game should get them a 5-2 record or better.

After the next week of games, the only division team the Cubs will not have faced is the Astros. This week is a great chance for Chicago to show the rest of the division what they are all about and take early control of the Central.

Prediction for the next week: 4-3.

-Until next time...