THE PENNANT RACE
Lou Piniella and his Chicago Cubs entered September in first place, a game-and-a-half over the Milwaukee Brewers and two games over the St. Louis Cardinals. It's time for them to make it 14 out of 16 and it all begins today.
Jason Marquis heads to the mound today against the Houston Astros and should be the most motivated player on the Cubs. The Cardinals left him off the playoff roster last year and should be in a mindset to remember how the Cards treated him last year and keep them out of the playoffs.
Carlos Zamrbano should be another man on a mission in September. After a winless August in which he finally received his (well desreved) contract extension, Big Z should be primed for a dominating September. If the Big Z from June and July shows up, the Cubs will win the division.
Despite what everyone says the bullpen still worries me, specifically closer Ryan Dempster. Scott Eyre and Bobby Howry are pitching now like they pitched last year, and that could provide a major lift. Carlos Marmol has been absolutely lights out and should be the closer.
Instead, Dempster walks a tight-rope time after time and personally, I would love to avoid any LaTroy Hawkins-like meltdowns down the stretch.
Offensively, it's time for the big boys to show up and play ball. Alfonso Soriano has one hit (a home run) since his return from the DL. Derrek Lee is batting .083 this week and looks like he needs a day off to clear his head. Aramis Ramirez has been the Cubs "Mr. Clutch" all year, but his power numbers are waaay down from what they usually are. Those three really need to step up in September and carry the Cubs down the stretch.
The Cubs acquired ex-Cub Steve Trachsel in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles (where ex-Cubs go to die), and now Lou Piniella will go with a "modified 6-man rotation." I guess that makes sense, with all the make-up games the Cubs are going to have to play. Trachsel is best known for two things:
- Giving up Mark McGwire's 62nd home run
- Winning the one-game playoff in 1998 over Dusty Baker's San Francisco Giants
I like how this roster could shape up for a potential October run.
The Cubs will likely go with a four man rotation with Zambrano, Marquis, Ted Lilly, and either Rich Hill or Sean Marshall. As of now, Hill likely has the edge because he has the hot hand and because he ranks 6th in the NL in strikeouts. And strikeout pitchers are worth their weight in gold in the playoffs.
Marshall will join Eyre as the other lefty in the bullpen. The Cubs have several hard throwing righties in the bullpen including Dempster, Howry, Marmol and Kerry Wood. Trachsel will most likely be used as a long reliever/swing man in case of injury. (11 pitchers)
Around the infield the Cubs will have Ramirez (3B), Ryan Theriot (SS), Mark DeRosa (2B) and Lee (1B). In the outfield the Cubs will have Soriano (LF), a resurgent Jacque Jones (CF) and Cliff Floyd (RF).
Behind the plate the Cubs will go with the hot-hitting Jason Kendall and defensive specialist Henry Blanco.
Unlike most Cubs teams of the past, this squad is versatile. Theriot can play 2B, SS, RF & CF if necessary. Jones can play all three OF spots. Floyd can play both corner OF positions.
The most versatile Cubs is DeRosa. His versatility around the infield and outfield will make up for the Cubs having only one back up infielder (Mike Fontenot.)
1B/OF Daryle Ward will provide left handed power off the bench, while Craig Monroe will provide the same from the right side. Monroe kills left handed pitching and will likely platoon with Floyd in right, though he can play all three OF positions as well. Matt Murton also provides a strong right handed bat against lefties and a keen eye at the plate, with the ability to play both corner OF spots.
Felix Pie is the wild card off the bench. He has struggled in a pinch hitting role, but provides other uses off of the bench. He is the Cubs best defensive outfielder with the most range and strongest, most accurate throwing arm. Pie will also be used in the Dave Roberts Role (circa 2004) as a late inning pinch runner/base stealer.
SEPTEMBER CALL-UPS
With September 1 finally here the rosters can expand to up to 40 players. Most teams don't fill up with 40 men, especially not teams in a playoff hunt. However, after closely paying attention to "Sweet Lou's" coaching style, the Cubs will likely call up some useful minor leaguers including:
- Sean Gallagher who can provide long relief and a spot start if necesary.
- Will Ohman as another left handed reliever in a tight spot.
- Billy Petrick as a middle reliever.
- Carmen Pigmatello another left-handed specialist.
- Geovany Soto and/or Koyie Hill as another catcher. Likely Hill for his defensive prowess.
- Jake Fox is a lefty masher who can play 1B, 3B, C & OF.
- Ronny Cedeno can play both middle infield positions.
- Eric Patterson can play 2B and LF and could provide speed in a pinch.
- There was a rumor that the Cubs could call up rising prospect Jeff Samardzija for a Septmber run. "The Shark" is a hard throwing right hander who in my eyes projects to be a late inning stopper. However at this point there is no truth the rumor.
"It's Gonna Happen..."
(if they want it to happen!)
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