2009 Chicago Cubs Odds & Predictions

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Cubs 31309We know the Cubs can win the Central. What we don’t know is if they can get something done in the playoffs. After accurately picking the Boston Red Sox to win the World Series in 2007, I picked the Cubs in 2008. I figured in the cosmic scheme of things that the stars would align on the 100th anniversary since their last world championship, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. While the Cubs dazzled in the regular season with 97 wins, they were swept in the NLDS for the second consecutive season. Now that the Cubs have gotten the hopes of their fans up with back-to-back division titles, it’s time to make an October run or it may be back to the drawing board. The Chicago Cubs are listed at +800 to win the 2009 World Series.

Pitching

Chicago clearly has the best starting rotation in the NL Central, led by staff ace Carlos Zambrano. Zambrano was 14-6 with a 3.91 ERA and the Cubs won 20 of his 30 starts. It is also worth mentioning that Zambrano got it done at the plate, hitting .337. Big Z is the guy the Cubs count on in crunch time and he is going to have to come up big in October for Chicago to get out of the first round. Ted Lilly has been the southpaw that the Cubs have been missing for decades. He went 17-9 in 2008 to become the first Cubs lefty since 1983-84 to record back-to-back double digit win seasons. Ryan Dempster is the wild card. He came out of the pen last season to go 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA. He was a ridiculous 14-3 in the Friendly Confines. Dempster has plenty of experts doubting that he can do that again, including this one, but the Cubs will be mighty happy if they can get 12-14 wins out of him. There’s no question about the talent of Rich Harden. The only question surrounding him is durability. Harden was 5-1 with a 1.77 ERA after coming over to the Cubs from Oakland. If he stays healthy, he might be able to do what Dempster did last year. Southpaw Sean Marshall looks to be the guy the Cubs will call on to fill the final spot in the rotation.

Dempster did a solid job in the closer role in 2007. Kerry Wood picked up 34 saves in 40 chances last season. Now, with Wood gone, the Cubs hand the ball over to 26-year-old Carlos Marmol. The Cubs have seen enough solid pitching from him the last two seasons to believe that he can step right in and fill the closer role. If he struggles, expect Kevin Gregg, who saved 29 games with Florida last season, to step in. Of the setup men, I’m most intrigued by flame thrower Jeff Samardzija. He was good in 2008 and should have a spot in the starting rotation some time soon.

Lineup
When you talk about the best lineups from top to bottom in the National League, you have to talk about the Phillies, Mets, and Cubs. The Cubs lead off with one of the best hitters in the league in left fielder Alfonso Soriano. Soriano slugged 29 homeruns and 75 RBIs in just 109 games last season. In other words, we’re looking at 40 round trippers if he plays a full season. First baseman Derrek Lee is the next of the Cubs big boppers. Lee put together another solid season in 2008 with 20 homeruns and 90 RBIs. Perhaps the best of all the Cubs hitters is clean up man and third baseman Aramis Ramirez. Here’s a stat for you. 11 of his 27 homeruns put the Cubs ahead in games. He also led the club with 111 RBIs. The Cubs looked to add a little bit more pop this offseason with the signing of outfielder Milton Bradley. He had 22 round trippers and 77 RBIs for Texas last season. Catcher Geovany Soto is the best hitting catcher the Cubs have had in quite some time. You’re not going to find too many more catchers across the league capable of hitting 23 homeruns and 86 RBIs. Soto earned Rookie of the Year honors and became the first rookie catcher to start for the NL in an All-Star game. Switch-hitting second baseman Aaron Miles, center fielder Kosuke Fukudome, and shortstop Ryan Theriot round out the order.

Prediction: 1st NL Central

Top to bottom, the Cubs are the best team in the NL Central and should win a third straight division title, but it’s time for the lovable losers to get something done in the postseason. I’m ready to quit talking about how close they came in 2003 and start talking about a new playoffs run. The Chicago Cubs are listed at -170 to win the NL Central.

Beat the MLB odds this season with Jimmy Boyd’s expert MLB picks. Bet on baseball with the 2007 MLB World Handicapping Champ and watch your bankroll skyrocket.

About the Author: Jimmy Boyd is known for his consistency. He's a proven winner in college and pro football, college and pro basketball and pro baseball. He finished as the No. 1 ranked MLB handicapper in 2007 by earning $1,000/game bettors $50,050. He also finished as the No. 1 ranked basketball handicapper in the 2008-09 season, profiting $1,000/game bettors 38,530. His basketball plays have banked $1,000/game bettors nearly $80,000 the last five years. Check out Jimmy's premium picks for tonight!
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