Post by ChicagoCubs on May 8, 2006 11:11:32 GMT -5
The Cubs are back in the playoffs in 1990, like they said they would be, to complete a mission that started last season and ended in such disappointment to the Atlanta Braves(who could turn out to be the champ series opponent if they both win their respective series) Again they finished with a 105-57 record, 2nd best this season behind the mighty Red Sox(106-56). They batted .280 on the year(7th), hit 211 HR's(1st), and were 4th in runs scored with 866(5.3/game), But again pitching outshined the hitting, they were #1 in ERA(3.53) 3rd in oppt BA(.259) and 1st in runs allowed with 632(3.9/game).
The Cubs feel better about their chances this season as they had timely hitting this year. Although they were shutout 10 times this season, they still scored a lot of runs. They had 3 players with 100 or more RBI, including trade acquistion Danny Tartabull, and another 4 guys with >80 RBI. The seasons biggest surprise, might have been both Dale Sveum as the NL batting champ and 100 RBI man from the 8th position in the lineup, (unseating Tony G) and rookie CF Ray Lankford, taking over for the ineffective Brady Anderson midway through the season. Even another rookie, Al Lachowicz made enough of an impact in Sept/Oct to warrant a postseason spot on the roster, going 4-0 with 3.15 ERA
The biggest weakness by far this season is the bullpen, 4 guys have ERA's over 5 and the closer, Randy Myers is in the 7's, and has rarely been looked at over the last month in sticky situations. He has blown 7 of the 14 blown saves the Cubs had this season. The key in the playoffs will be to have the SP's be solid and not have to depend on the bullpen all that much. But who knows, their are some talented teams in the playoffs, all 3 other teams in the NL, Padres, Phillies, and Braves) have good hitting. With the Padres having the highest BA in the league(.292), and 2nd in RS, and the Braves 2nd in HR's. Everything let the Cubs down in the postseason last year, and they are hoping not for a repeat this postseason. As we said, they are here to complete a mission they started last season, only time will tell if that comes true.
The Cubs feel better about their chances this season as they had timely hitting this year. Although they were shutout 10 times this season, they still scored a lot of runs. They had 3 players with 100 or more RBI, including trade acquistion Danny Tartabull, and another 4 guys with >80 RBI. The seasons biggest surprise, might have been both Dale Sveum as the NL batting champ and 100 RBI man from the 8th position in the lineup, (unseating Tony G) and rookie CF Ray Lankford, taking over for the ineffective Brady Anderson midway through the season. Even another rookie, Al Lachowicz made enough of an impact in Sept/Oct to warrant a postseason spot on the roster, going 4-0 with 3.15 ERA
The biggest weakness by far this season is the bullpen, 4 guys have ERA's over 5 and the closer, Randy Myers is in the 7's, and has rarely been looked at over the last month in sticky situations. He has blown 7 of the 14 blown saves the Cubs had this season. The key in the playoffs will be to have the SP's be solid and not have to depend on the bullpen all that much. But who knows, their are some talented teams in the playoffs, all 3 other teams in the NL, Padres, Phillies, and Braves) have good hitting. With the Padres having the highest BA in the league(.292), and 2nd in RS, and the Braves 2nd in HR's. Everything let the Cubs down in the postseason last year, and they are hoping not for a repeat this postseason. As we said, they are here to complete a mission they started last season, only time will tell if that comes true.