Looks like the slump has ended. The Cubs scored twelve runs on Tuesday and nine more Wednesday against the Cards to take that series. Friday they pounded out a bunch of home runs to top the Phils 6-2. There is no doubt this team is built to score a lot of runs and that their pitching is quite good. So barring some catastrophic injuries, they are definitely headed to good things. Just based on head-to-head encounters, you'd have to say the Cardinals have given the Cubs some anxious moments though the Cubs have won four of six anyway. The team that matches up best with the Cubs is the Giants. So far I'd have to say they are the most likely contenders, along with the Cubs, for the NL pennant.
A little over a fourth of the way into the season, the Cubs have far and away the best record in baseball, eighteen games over .500 and playing nearly .700 ball. As far as their off-season acquisitions, they seem to have hit the mark. Lackey has pitched quite well. Zobrist has been a revelation. He can't keep up this pace, but he is a decided improvement over Castro who, after a hot start, has come back to his usual production, which is pretty ordinary. The Cubs picked up Warren in exchange. Warren has been pretty good in a relief role and he may have a starting role in his future.
The third big pickup was Heyward. In my mind, the jury is still out there. He is likely to come back to form as the season progresses. There is no doubt he is a terrific defensive outfielder, but so far the bat has not been there. Even if he pans out, they probably still overpaid, though his addition in sum makes the Cubs a better team.
No comments:
Post a Comment