Cubs face power shortage without Sosa, Alou

"Last year, we didn't really create offense, we just smashed the ball," Hollandsworth said. "We were capable of beating Roger Clemens, the best pitcher in the game, any day of the week. We were also capable of losing to the worst team because we relied on the long ball. I think that's what you saw happen the last week of the season. We got cold at the wrong time. We couldn't generate offense."

The Cubs had a monumental collapse down the stretch, losing seven of their last nine to blow a 1½-game lead in the NL wild-card race and cost themselves a spot in the playoffs. Chicago managed just 22 runs in the seven losses.

Now the Cubs will have to concentrate more on manufacturing runs: laying down bunts, stealing bases, moving runners into scoring position.

"We're going to go with pitching, defense and create some offense," Hollandsworth said. "Maybe we're not as strong offensively, but we're pretty darn good."

The bright spot is that Chicago's rotation, if healthy, will again be one of the best in the majors. Greg Maddux shows no sign of slowing down, and Carlos Zambrano has emerged as one of the game's best young pitchers, going 16-8 with a 2.75 ERA and 188 strikeouts last year.

Kerry Wood and Mark Prior should be back to their old selves after being hampered by injuries last year, and Glendon Rusch will be given the chance to win the fifth spot after going 6-2 with a 3.47 ERA in spot duty last season.

"We've got great players on our team at each position, a great coaching staff. We definitely have the pitching," Patterson said. "Will it be harder without Sammy? Definitely so. But I think we can still win."