If people do not agree with my last blog, look at the facts:

In 2007, the White Sox were 12-12 on May 1st. They would finish 72-90 and missed the playoffs. 

In 2006, the White Sox were 18-6 on May 1st. They would finish with a record of 90-72, and miss the playoffs.

In 2005, the White Sox were 18-7 on May 1st. They would finish 99-63, win the AL central. They would ultimately win the World Series.

In 2004, The White Sox would start 14-9 on May 1st. They would finish 82-78, and did not make the playoffs.

In 2003, The White Sox would start 15-13 on May 1st. They would finish 86-76 and not make the playoffs.

In 2007, The Cubs would start 10-14 on May 1st. They would finish 85-77 win the NL central. They would be swept by the D-Backs.

In 2006, The Cubs would start 14-10 on May 1st. They would finish 66-96 and not make the playoffs.

In 2005, The Cubs would start 12-12 on May 1st. They would finish 77-81, and not make the playoffs.

In 2004, the Chicago Cubs were 14-9 on May 1st. They would finish with a record of 88-73, and missed the playoffs.

In 2003, The Chicago Cubs were 16-12 on May 1st. They would finish 88-74, win the NL central.

The numbers do not lie. There was ONLY one hot Chicago start in the last four years that resulted in a World Series. That was the 2005 White Sox.

Never once was it stated to not enjoy the ride, I am just merely pointing that baseball is a long season but everyone knows that right? One injury, one trade, and another team getting hot changes the course of a season.

I am not being negative about the hot starts, I also not proclaiming to everyone I can find that it will be a REDLINE series this year.

I am being a REALIST and CONTROLLING my enthusiasm.

                The Cubs are off to their best start since the 1975 season.  Ronny Cedeno recently has even recently spoken about the Cubs winning the World Series.  Cedeno along with Cubdom needs to take a CHILL PILL. There is a lot to be excited about: Derek Lee’s hot start (18 runs, 17 RBI’s , 7 homers, and BA of .358), the offensive numbers from Theriot ( 14 runs, 1homer, 5 RBI’s and BA of .338) and Cedeno( 8 Runs, 1 homer, 12 RBI’s, and a BA .333) Wood (11.0 innings, 1 Win, 4 Saves)slamming the door on teams, and Zambrano( 3-1 with an ERA 2.67) and Dempster (3-0 with an ERA 3.00) pitching well. All these variables are just some of the reasons for the Cubs 14-6 start. However, I hate to be bearer of bad news, IT IS ONLY APRIL!

                If the Cubs can sustain this success into September and October then, Fans should be VERY excited. My advice for Cubs fans right now is just to enjoy ride, but keep in the pack of their minds IT’s STILL early.

                The White Sox Fans are in a similar situation to Cubs fans, the Sox are off to a great start. The additions of Nick Swisher (15 runs, 2 homers, 5 RBI’s, and BA .246) and Orlando Cabrera (11 runs, 1 homer, 5 RBI’s, and BA .239) have helped improve the Sox this season. The underrated addition of Carlos Quentin (14 runs, 4 homers, 15 RBI’s and BA. 241) and the renaissance of Joe Crede(9 runs, 5 homers, 18 RBI’s, and BA .286) have also aided in the Sox good start.  Similar to the Cubs, the Sox have also been very good pitching wise. Two unlikely pitchers are becoming two vital cogs to the rotation. Those pitchers are Gavin Floyd (19.1 innings, 2-0, ERA 1.40) and Jon Danks (23.2 innings, 2-1, ERA 3.04).  Both pitchers were highly touted prospects, which the Sox took off the scrap heaps from the Phillies and Rangers.

                Sox fans might want to keep the plans for the parade down Michigan Avenue on hold for now. If the Sox can maintain success deeper in the season, then Sox would not be rash by making comparisons to the 2005 team.

                My advice to both teams’ fans would be to keep these great starts in CONTEXT; it is only APRIL not OCTOBER.

This advice can also be applied to Cardinal and Orioles fans.  

                With Alfonso Soriano making his second DL stint as a Cub, The team chose to fill his roster spot with Eric Patterson. Correct me if I am wrong, but this is the same Eric Patterson who was send down at the end of last season; the reason being that E. Patterson failed to arrive on time for a home game. The same Eric Patterson who only recently switched to playing the outfield; he is also the brother of former Cubs Corey Patterson.  If E. Patterson struggles, people will make a correlation to the fact that his brother also struggled with the Cubs.

                This move makes no sense to me at all. Why would the Cubs bring up a guy who is primarily a second basemen with KNOWN character issues?  Eric Patterson stats at AAA Iowa this season are: 222 avg, 3 runs, 8 hits, 12 strikeouts, 1 stolen base, and 3 RBI’s.  

                The logical choice for the Cubs to call up would be outfielder Matt Murton. Murton has played outfield his entire career, granted he is a defensive liability at times, but he makes up for it with his bat.  Without the addition of Reed Johnson, Murton would have made the Cubs out of Spring Training.  

Last season, Murton batted .281, drove in 22 runs, and scored 35 runs in only 94 games. This year, Murton’s numbers at Iowa are: .333, 5 runs, 13 hits, 4 strikeouts, and 2 RBI’s.  Murton has always been a high batting average and high On-base-percentage player. He would be an ideal fit for lineup, which other than Fukudome and Lee, does not take many pitches.

Murton seems like the logical choice to me, but then again when is anything logical with the Cubs?

                There is a saying in baseball: “great pitching always beats great hitting”.  Ted Lilly, Rich Hill, and Jason Marquis, get your act together FAST!  Ted Lilly and Marquis were brought in last season to eat up MAJOR league innings, which they did.  Rich Hill was a prized prospect in the Cubs farm system. Now they look like the THREE STOOGES!

This season Rich Hill numbers are 9.0 innings pitched, seven strikeouts, with an ERA of 5.00 in TWO STARTS! Rich Hill was a catalyst in the rotation last season going 11-9 with an ERA of 3.92. Another key stat with Hill was that he pitched 195 innings last season. Hill had control problems during spring training, this trend has continued thus far. If Hill was to replicate last season’s success; he better start going deeper into games SOON.

                Ted Lilly was the second best pitcher in the rotation last season, but in my view, he overachieved.  Ted Lilly’s number this season numbers are: 12.2 innings, eight strikeouts, and an ERA of 9.95. He has a record of 0-2 this season which is a huge contrast from last season. Lilly went:  13-8 with an ERA of 3.83. He pitched the second most innings on the team with 207.0 innings pitched. Lilly better find his rhythm and find it fast.

                Lastly Jason Marquis, Lou Piniella’s least favorite pitcher, started yesterday game. Marquis lasted only 5 innings, with an ERA of 6.75.  Marquis is a good first half pitcher, but an awful second half pitcher! I wanted Marquis gone to start the season and Lieber in the 5th spot. Piniella went with Marquis in the rotation; we shall see how long that lasts.

                The three Cubs stooges are not the only pitchers struggling. Pitchers like CC. Sabathia and Jason Verlander are also “getting off to slow starts” as the experts state. Most teams do not put too much stock into early season numbers, but make certain they are taking NOTICE.

Fantasy baseball anyone?

                When people join a fantasy baseball league, my recommendation is do your HOMEWORK! I am obsessed with sports, so I have a pretty good idea of who to draft and who not to draft.  This blog is in response to a BAD draft.

                The person will remain nameless. The person’s draft strategy was obvious to me: draft players HE KNOW’s. He has Derek Lee as his number one pick, which is a reach at number one. He drafted: Mauer (Solid), Cano (good), Erick Aybar (yikes), Kevin Kouzmanoff (okay), and Tori Hunter (Solid). He did an average job with his position players. He, however, missed out on better players by reaching for Lee (1st), Mauer, (5th) and Hunter (6th).

                He did a SO-SO job with his pitching staff. He took Zambrano (solid), Buehrle (average),R. Hill (BAD), Penny (solid), Capps(good), and Marmol (great)

His picks then took a turn for the WORSE. He was taking players he knew. SO He took Juan Pierre (no a longer a starter…SUCKS), Curt Schilling, (Out for the first half of the year), Jack Cust (Bench player), Matt Stairs (Bench player), Noah Lowry (HURT) and Jim Edmonds (injury-prone and getting worse every year).

                When drafting in fantasy baseball, people want players who can contribute to all categories. Draft players who play almost every day, and do not draft role players!

                He still managed to get some good players, but he could have done SO MUCH better. My advice to first time fantasy baseball players, please do your homework!

                Last season, many Cubs fans were horrified when Ryan Dempster came out of the bullpen.  In the first half of the season Ryan Dempster was lights out. He even was throwing the ball harder.  That was until Dempster hurt his oblique muscle and had to spend time on Disabled list.

                After his stint on DL, Dempster was a mess on the mound.  He had “Rod Beck” syndrome: load the bases and run count full before getting the final out.  Dempster did finish the season with 28 saves but had an era of 4.73. That is way too high an ERA for a closer.

                This season Cubs fans will not have to see Dempster coming out of the bullpen during a game.  Ryan Dempster is vying for a spot in the Cubs starting rotation.  Ryan Dempster has not been a starter since 2004 with the Cubs. The Cubs eventually had to make him the closer because there were no other options.  After last season, Dempster wanted another opportunity to start games for the Cubs.

                By the way Dempster’s spring is going; He will be in the 5th spot in the rotation when the season opens.  In three games this spring, Dempsters numbers are:  Two Wins, nine innings pitched, and ERA 3.00. If we look deeper at his numbers, he has allowed five hits, three earned runs, one homerun, walked four and struck out five.  The reports from Chicago based sports shows indicate that Dempster is poised for a big season in the 5th spot. One local radio personality has even predicted fifteen wins from Dempster.

                I am encouraged by the way Dempster is pitching this spring. I hope he does not take the same road as Wade Miller did last season. As we know Miller won the 5th spot out of the spring; Miller was ultimate shelled in the majors. Afterwards, Miller went on numerous rehab starts before being released.

                If Ryan Dempster turns into a solid fifth starter, Cubs fans will forget all about Dempster’s failures as a closer.

                The question was posed to me, if the Cubs could draft Billy Chapel would they?

Billy Chapel is the character played by Kevin Costner In for the Love of the Game. Chapel is one of the greatest pitchers of all time in the movie. He has almost every accomplishment in baseball expect for 300 wins and a perfect game. *Spoiler* in the end of the movie, Chapel throws a perfect game and then retires.  

Like any great sports movie hero, Chapel must overcome an injury sustained will working with some wood. He would damage a nerve in his hand, and not be able to feel his pitches after a certain time.  Now IF Chapel was real, of course the Cubs would draft him. He would have been the best Cubs pitcher of all time. He might not have thrown the perfect game, because in real life, it is the Cubs after all. Sadly, the Cubs cannot draft Billy Chapel because he is not real.

If I were running the Cubs and I could draft a fictional character from a movie. I would not draft Billy Chapel. I would draft Roy Hobbs from the Natural.  Hobbs was played by Robert Redford. In the movie, Hobbs could do it all: run, hit, and field with ease.  Hobbs would knock the cover off the ball, literally. *Spoiler* the movie ends, with Hobbs hitting a walk homerun into the light at Knights field to win the game. Hobbs like Chapel had an injury to deal with. Hobbs had been shot with silver bullet by a mad woman.

That is my selection on the matter. What are yours?

There has been speculation for the last month the Baltimore Orioles will trade Brian Roberts to the Chicago Cubs for a combination of prospects. This blog will assume that the deal will be completed and the Cubs will receive Brian Roberts for Jason Marquis, Sean Gallagher, and a no-name prospect. 

With Brian Roberts now in the fold, the Cubs have some questions that need to be answered.   

1st.  Brian Roberts only plays 2nd base, which is currently occupied by Mark De Rosa. Based on some reading that I have done, the Cubs would like to move Mark De Rosa around the diamond like a super utility man. Last season DeRosa's numbers were: 293 BA, 10 HRs, and 72 RBI's. If DeRosa does not have a permanent position, how will this affect his offensive numbers? DeRosa last season played 2nd base, shortstop, 1st base, and left field.  The majority of DeRosa's games were played at 2nd base, With DeRosa on the bench, which bench player from last season is down in the minors?

2nd. Roberts would be brought in to be the 2nd basemen, but more importantly the leadoff man.  Roberts' numbers from last year were: 290 BA, 12 HRs, and 57 RBIs. With Roberts as the leadoff man, where does Alfonso Soriano hit? Most people believe that Soriano SHOULD be a middle of the order guy anyways, however, when Soriano bats in the middle of the order his batting numbers significantly decrease.

3rd. This last point is made under the assumption that the Cubs have to trade Marquis and Sean Gallagher for Roberts, who pitches in the back end of the rotation for the Cubs? Most signs point to Jon Lieber and Ryan Dempster filling out the back end of the rotation. Sean Marshall would begin the season at AAA Iowa, while Kevin Hart would be the Cubs long reliever.

A trade for Roberts was supposed to be the answer for the Cubs; instead the trade would just raise more questions.

Ryan Dempster made the first dumb statement of the spring. Ryan Dempster made the statement that Cubs will end their World Series drought this season. If the Cubs do not win this season, it will be 100 years since there last title.

 Last season, Carlos Zambrano spouted off at the mouth claiming the Cubs would win the World Series and that he would win the CY Young. In case you missed it, neither of those things happened for the Cubs last season.

 If the Cubs are smart, they should not worry about the 100 year drought. They should go out and play ball. Their first goal should be to make the playoffs, whether that is via the Wildcard or by winning the division. If the Cubs get into the playoffs, anything can happen. A prime example would be the Colorado Rockies of last season.

 The Cubs have a good team on paper, with Zambrano, Lilly, and Hill at the top of their rotation. The addition of Jon Lieber could make their rotation stronger, if he is healthy.  The addition of Fukudome gives their lineup balance with left handed power.

 The Cubs need to play solid FUNDAMENTAL baseball and win games.

 STOP WORRYING about the 100 year DROUGHT!