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2008 MLB
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2008 Chicago Cubs Predictions & Season
Preview
Jimmy’s
2008 Chicago Cubs
predictions see the
northsiders as tops in the
weak NL Central. Find out if
Jimmy has them challenging
for the World Series in this
season preview.
Starting Rotation/Bullpen
Carlos Zambrano is among the
best pitchers in all of
baseball. He won a
career-best 18 games in 2007
and I expect an even bigger
year in 2008. Having already
settled his contract, he can
just focus on winning
baseball games. Ted Lilly
went 15-8 last season and
gives the Cubs another ace
quality pressure. It is a
good sign that he did not
wilt under the pressure of a
big contract. Rich Hill
reminds me of Barry Zito is
his prime. He has the
potential to be a 15-game
winner this season. Jason
Marquis will have to prove
himself. The righthander
went 12-9 last season, but
was not in Chicago’s playoff
plans last season. Ryan
Dempster likely moves back
into a starting roll to take
over the fifth spot.
The closer spot will be up
for grabs between Kerry
Wood, Bob Howry, and Carlos
Marmol. Marmol is the guy I
would look to be the Cubs’
closer of the future. Howry
has the most experience, but
I don’t think his stuff can
match Marmol’s. Wood may be
better suited as a setup man
until he can prove that the
injury bug has left him.
These three guys should see
the bulk of the action out
of the pen with Michael
Wuertz also getting mixed
in.
Batting Order
Alfonso Soriano is not a
prototypical number one
hitter because of the amount
of times he strikes out, but
its hard to argue with the
leftfielder’s production.
Soriano had 33 homeruns, 70
RBIs, and 19 stolen bases
last season in 135 games.
Shortstop Ryan Theriot was
one of the biggest surprises
in baseball last season and
is an ideal number two
hitter. He had 28 stolen
bases last season and I look
for him to be a 100-plus
runs guy. First baseman
Derrek Lee could be poised
for a huge year after seeing
a decline in round trippers.
He hit .317 last season with
22 homeruns and 82 RBIs. I
anticipate him being over
the 30 homerun mark and the
100 RBI mark in 2008. Aramis
Ramirez is an automatic
90-plus RBI guy. He hit 26
homeruns and added 101 RBIs
last season. Right fielder
Kosuke Fukudome could be the
missing link Chicago’s
already powerful lineup has
needed. Expect him to be
Ichiro with more power
potential once he adjusts to
the American game. Catcher
Geovany Soto could bolster
this lineup further. He
pounded 109 RBIs at triple-A
Iowa last season. Mark
DeRosa will be as solid as
any number seven hitter in
the game. He has averaged 73
RBIs the past two seasons
and gives the Cubs a solid
glove at second base. Felix
Pie is an asset defensively
with untamed speed. Pie has
some work to do at the
plate.
The Chicago Cubs won a weak
NL Central in 2007, but was
taken out of the playoffs in
the first round. Adding
Fukudome and Soto leaves
Chicago with virtually no
weak spots in its order. The
starting rotation will be
solid as well so much of
Chicago’s success will be
dependant on the consistency
of the bullpen. The Cubs
have a team capable of
winning the World Series
this season.
Make your
2008 baseball betting a
success by producing your
best season on the basepads
with Jimmy’s
MLB picks. No one was
better than Mr. Boyd in 2007
and you’d be a fool to think
anyone will be better in
2008. Play with the
defending MLB Handicapping
Champ this season and put
your book out of commission.
Odds to win NL Central:
10/11
Odds to win 2008 NL Pennant:
9/2
Odds to win 2008 World
Series:
12/1
Other Predictions for the 2008 Season:
Updated February 18th, 2008
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