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

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