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Chicago Cubs

14-19, NL Central (4th)
Team RankingAVGRHRERA
Cubs.2566541484.33
Cent Division4th4th4th5th
National League 6th7th10th14th

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Season Preview


Scott Miller's Take

The Cubs are so clearly the class of the NL Central that you don't look for reasons why they can win it, you look for reasons why they can't. The only reason I can think of, aside from injuries to their pitching staff (but that's the case with all 30 clubs), is if Milton Bradley can't out-run his injury history. Or if he snaps. Maybe Bradley can find peace of mind on a multi-year contract. He's played in more than 126 games in a season just once -- if he can make it for 140 or 150, look out. Wait, I just thought of one more reason the Cubs could stumble: Their bullpen. Carlos Marmol was shaky this spring, and Kevin Gregg remains largely an unknown. Still, these Cubs are primed for another 90-plus win season, and with lefty bats Bradley, Mike Fontenot, Kosuke Fukudome and Aaron Miles, their lineup is better balanced for October.

 
Staff Picks
Place Knobler Miller Mack Rosen
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Complete Staff Picks
 
Team Info
2008 record: 97-64 (1st in NL Central)
As Cubs manager: Lou Piniella, entering 3rd year (182-141)
Stadium: Wrigley Field (41,160; grass)
 
Top Prospects
1. Jeff Samardzija, RH/SP
  Has work to do if he wants to be a starter. Was impressive in his 2008 callup as a reliever.
2. Kevin Hart, RH/RP
  Has started some in minors, but will most likely work in relief.
3. Micah Hoffpauir, OF
  Showed impressive power this spring.
4. Josh Vitters, 3B
  Top prospect with high ceiling, but still a few years away.
5. Mitch Atkins, RH/SP
  Won 17 games last year, but with high ERA. Still has work to do.
 
 
After a career year in Texas, Milton Bradley can be a big bat in the middle of the lineup if he manages to stay healthy and in control. (Getty Images)
 
Outlook
Video
Scott Miller: Preview
Interview: Jeff Samardzija
NL Central: Division Preview
Columns
Season might hinge on which Fukudome shows up
Five things to know
 
Lineup
No.PlayerABHRAVGRBIRSB
1.A. Soriano, LF453 29 .280 75 76 19
2.K. Fukudome, CF501 10 .257 58 79 12
3.D. Lee, 1B 623 20 .291 9093 8
4.M. Bradley, RF 414 22 .321 77 78 5
5.A. Ramirez, 3B 554 27 .289 111 97 2
6.M. Fontenot, 2B243 9 .305 40 42 2
7.G. Soto, C494 23 .285 86 66 0
8.R. Theriot, SS580 1 .307 38 85 22
Pitching
No.PitcherIPW-LSVERAKsBB
1.C. Zambrano, RH 188.2 14-6 0 3.91 130 72
2.R. Dempster, RH 206.2 17-6 0 2.96 187 76
3.T. Lilly, LH 204.2 17-9 0 4.09 184 64
4.R. Harden, RH 148.0 10-2 0 2.07 181 61
5.S. Marshall, LH 65.1 3-5 1 3.86 58 23
CLK. Gregg, RH68.2 7-8 29 3.41 58 37
 
 

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