2008 Chicago Cubs Predictions

by: Jimmy Boyd

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.

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 pitcher.  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 year, 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.

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 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 and 100 RBI marks 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.  Plain and simple, the Cubs have a team capable of winning the World Series this season. 

Make your 2008 MLB 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

Jimmy Boyd Past Articles

2008 LSU Tigers Predictions
The LSU Tigers will try to defend their national championship when the 2008 season opens. The Tigers will have to do so without QB Ryan Perrilloux who ... read more

2008 Georgia Bulldogs College Football Predictions
All the pieces of the puzzle are in place for the Georgia Bulldogs to make a run at the national championship. The offense is balanced and explosive and ... read more

Spurs/Hornets Round Two Predictions
Both the San Antonio Spurs and the New Orleans Hornets made easy work of their first round opponents, much easier work than any expert could have expected. ... read more

Boston Celtics Odds to Win the NBA Finals
With the NBA playoffs right around the corner, I thought it would be helpful to take a look at a few of the top teams, weighing their chances of winning ... read more

2008 Boston Red Sox Predictions and Season Preview
There's no sense in beating around the bush. Jimmy Boyd's 2008 Boston Red Sox predictions see Bean Town among baseball's best again. Jimmy picked the ... read more

All Jimmy Boyd Past Articles

Jimmy Boyd Recent Past Picks

MLB Baseball

Boston Red Sox @ Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday July 2, 2008 7:10 pm
3* MLB Underdog of the Week on Red Sox +126 (listing Matsuzaka)We won't list Kazmir here because I like the Sox regardless, but it is definitely worth noting that Boston is 13-3 against lefty starters this season and 22-6 in their last 28 games vs. a left-handed starter.  The ... read more

Jimmy Boyd Bio and Picks | Articles By Jimmy Boyd

MLB Baseball

Kansas City Royals @ Baltimore Orioles Wednesday July 2, 2008 7:05 pm
3* AL Pitching Mismatch of the Week on Orioles -124 (listing Cabrera and Meche)Meche is 0-9 against the money line in road games vs. an AL team with a batting average of .260 or worse in the second half of the season since 1997 and 4-18 against the money line in road games vs. an ... read more

Jimmy Boyd Bio and Picks | Articles By Jimmy Boyd

MLB Baseball

Detroit Tigers @ Minnesota Twins Wednesday July 2, 2008 1:10 pm
3* Afternoon Delight on Twins -120 (listing Blackburn)The Twins are 7-0 in their last 7 games as a home favorite, 14-3 in their last 17 overall, and 4-0 in their last 4 during game 3 of a series.  The Twins are also 5-0 in Blackburn's last 5 home starts vs. a team with a winning ... read more

Jimmy Boyd Bio and Picks | Articles By Jimmy Boyd

MLB Baseball

Cleveland Indians @ Chicago White Sox Tuesday July 1, 2008 8:11 pm
3* Indians +113 (listing Lee)We'll back one of the best pitcher's in baseball at a great value tonight.  The Indians are 6-1 in Lee's last 7 starts and 9-1 in his last 10 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.  The Indians are 4-0 in Lee's last 4 starts ... read more

Jimmy Boyd Bio and Picks | Articles By Jimmy Boyd

MLB Baseball

Detroit Tigers @ Minnesota Twins Tuesday July 1, 2008 8:10 pm
3* Twins -131 (listing Baker)The Twins blew a 4-1 lead yesterday to cost us a win.  They'll show a little more resiliency here and take game 2 to even the series. The Twins are 6-0 in their last 6 games as a home favorite, 4-0 in their last 4 games following a loss, 13-3 in ... read more

Jimmy Boyd Bio and Picks | Articles By Jimmy Boyd

MLB Baseball

Los Angeles Dodgers @ Houston Astros Tuesday July 1, 2008 8:05 pm
5* MLB GOTM on Astros -132 (listing Rodriguez and Kershaw)The Dodgers have struggled against southpaw pitching all season long.  We'll back Rodriguez and the Astros at home at a bargain price.  The Dodgers are 1-9 in their last 10 games vs. a left-handed starter, 0-4 in ... read more

Jimmy Boyd Bio and Picks | Articles By Jimmy Boyd

MLB Baseball

Kansas City Royals @ Baltimore Orioles Tuesday July 1, 2008 7:05 pm
3* Orioles -128 (action)We'll take the Orioles in a big bounce back spot here after blowing a 5-1 lead and losing in extras yesterday.  The Royals are a terrible 34-79 in their last 113 vs. the American League East.  The Orioles are 7-0 in their last 7 Tuesday games, 15-6 ... read more

Jimmy Boyd Bio and Picks | Articles By Jimmy Boyd

MLB Baseball

Chicago Cubs @ San Francisco Giants Monday June 30, 2008 10:15 pm
3* Public Blood Bath of the Week on Giants +125 (listing Zito and Lilly)The public will be all over the Cubs here and they are going to get a blood bath.  The Cubs have really struggled on the road and Zito has been pitching much better of late.  The Cubs have lost 4 in ... read more

Jimmy Boyd Bio and Picks | Articles By Jimmy Boyd

MLB Baseball

Milwaukee Brewers @ Arizona Diamondbacks Monday June 30, 2008 9:40 pm
3* Monday Night Dog on Brewers +110 (listing Bush and Davis)The Brewers are 4-0 in Bush's last 4 starts vs. the Diamondbacks and  6-1 in the last 7 meetings.  The Brewers are 4-0 in their last 4 Monday games and a scorching hot 7-1 in their last 8 games vs. a left-handed ... read more

Jimmy Boyd Bio and Picks | Articles By Jimmy Boyd

MLB Baseball

Detroit Tigers @ Minnesota Twins Monday June 30, 2008 8:10 pm
3* Vegas Line Error of the Week on Twins +109 (action)Plays on home teams (MINNESOTA) - vs. division opponents, after 3 consecutive games versus an interleague opponent are 67-27 the last 5 seasons (71.3%).   The Twins are also 13-3 against the money line when playing against ... read more

Jimmy Boyd Bio and Picks | Articles By Jimmy Boyd

All Jimmy Boyd Past Picks