2011 Chicago Cubs Predictions and Season Preview

>

It was a season to forget for the Chicago Cubs in 2010, as they as soon as once more had been unable to deliver on high expectations. Chicago finished fourth in the division at 75-87. The Cubs were struggling so poor, manager Lou Piniella stepped down with only 37 games remaining on the schedule. Mike Quade stepped in for Piniella down the stretch, and was given the head coaching job for decent, after leading Chicago to a 24-13 finish. Also gone from last season are very first baseman Derrek Lee, beginning pitcher Ted Lilly, and infielders Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot. The greatest additions for the 2011 season are Carlos Pena, Matt Garza, and Kerry Wood. Here is a closer look at the predicted beginning lineup and beginning rotation, plus our MLB predictions on where they will finish the season.

Projected Lineup

Chicago has some potential offensively this year, but a lot of that will depend on the years they get from third baseman Aramis Ramirez and outfielder Alfonso Soriano. Ramirez is 1 of the premier overall hitters in the league when healthy, but he can't seem to maintain from obtaining hurt. Soriano isn't going to be the player Chicago envisioned when they brought him in, but a slight improvement and the Cubs offense could take off.. The Cubs also have some energy in catcher Geovany Sotto and young outfielder Tyler Colvin, who expects to take over the every day job in suitable field. Throw in Pena, who could thrive in Wrigley Field, and the Cubs suddenly look like a team who could be a lot far better than you may well expect. We haven't even mentioned the Cubs two perfect hitters from final season in Marlon Byrd and Starlin Castro. Byrd hit.293 and was the Cubs only All-Star, while Castro led the team with a.300 typical at the age of 20.

Projected Rotation

The Cubs also have a beginning rotation that could be significantly superior than expected heading into the year. If Carlos Zambrano throws like he did in his final 11 begins, where he went 8- with a 1.41 ERA, Chicago could be holding the 2011 Cy Young winner. Ryan Dempster has been rock solid for Chicago since generating the move from closer to starter, and with the addition of Garza, the Cubs must have a 1-three that can square off against any other 3 in baseball. Just how wonderful this rotation is will come down to the arms of Carlos Silva and Randy Wells. Silva began awesome, but faded down the stretch, though Wells wasn't near his form of 2009, and could end up giving his job to Andrew Cashner,if he doesn't turn points about this year.

2011 Projection: 2nd Location NL Central

While it seems like the Cubs have far more question marks than answers heading into the this season, the potential is there. A lot will have to go correct for this team to even have a opportunity at winning the Central. Still it's difficult to overlook the success Quade had to finish the season, and the talent that is nonetheless on the his team. We originally had the Cubs picked to finish third in the division, but with St Louis losing Wainwright for the season, we have jumped the Cubs up one spot.