Pre-Season Picks

[JWCUB]

Thought this might cheer some folks up. Lindys 2006 Baseball Guide picks the Cubs to win the Central.

 

1. Cubs

2. Cards

3. Astros

4. Milwaukee

5. Pitt

6. Reds

 

 

Street and Smith's 2006 picks

 

1. Cards

2. Cubs

3. Astros

4. Milwaukee

5. Reds

6. Pitt

 

Both like the bullpen additions and Pierre and Jones.

[soapy]

I still think the Cards are the team to beat. I'm not sure how I feel about the Astros until the whole Bagwell and Clemens scenarios play out. They may add another bat also.

[Magnetic Curses]

a lot of this hinges on pitching.

 

i think the cubs, when healthy, have the best 1-4 starters in the division, but that's a huge "when".

[Andy]

Thought this might cheer some folks up. Lindys 2006 Baseball Guide picks the Cubs to win the Central.

 

1. Cubs

2. Cards

3. Astros

4. Milwaukee

5. Pitt

6. Reds

Well, my prediction of "No one will pick the Cubs to win the Central" was clearly off.

[JWCUB]

I agree with Sully. A lot of the sucess of the 06 team depends on the health of the pitching staff. I think if we can get a lead and have the starters go 6 or 7 innings than we should be in good shape. I think the "new" bullpen will slam the door shut. Thus saving the wear and tear on the starters. However, you still have the "Dusty over uses the bullpen" theory. IF the pen is as good as I think it will be, the Cubs could make the games 6 innings. Like the Astros with Lidge, Dotel, and Wagner. Although the Cubs pen will not be as exciting, or as good, I think the "POTENTIAL" is there.

 

Thoughts?

[Shawon12]

I still think Houston, w or w/out Clemens will emerge on top.

[daske17]

Thought this might cheer some folks up. Lindys 2006 Baseball Guide picks the Cubs to win the Central.

 

Street and Smith's 2006 picks

 

Are both of these on the newstands already? If so, that makes a happy camper because I'm going to on flights this weekend and need reading material!

[Balsa]

Hey if the Astros can get to the WS on that offense, surely the Cubs can get there too. Although, as always, it depends on our starters. I'd say we're due though.

[JWCUB]

Thought this might cheer some folks up. Lindys 2006 Baseball Guide picks the Cubs to win the Central.

 

Street and Smith's 2006 picks

 

Are both of these on the newstands already? If so, that makes a happy camper because I'm going to on flights this weekend and need reading material!

Yes they are. I bought both of them this morning.

[Balsa]

What's the full title of the book? I'm having trouble finding it...

[JWCUB]

What's the full title of the book? I'm having trouble finding it...

 

They are magazines.

 

Lindys Baseball Scouting Report 2006

Street & Smiths 2006 Baseball Yearbook

[JWCUB]

Lindy also grades our Farm System a C.

 

 

Milwaukee was the best in the Central with a B.

[muntjack]

a lot of this hinges on pitching.

 

i think the cubs, when healthy, have the best 1-4 starters in Baseball but that's a huge "when".

 

FYP

[UK1679666180]

Division Winners:

STL

ATL

SF (AZ is still a couple of years away)

 

WC-NYM

 

AL:

CWS

Bos

Oak

 

WC-LAA

[Bull]

Division Winners:

STL

ATL

SF (AZ is still a couple of years away)

 

WC-NYM

 

AL:

CWS

Bos

Oak

 

WC-LAA

 

These your picks UK?

[UK1679666180]

Yep. Hardest to pick was the NL West.

[Backtobanks]

I really don't know how anyone can pick the Astros to do much. With Clemens and Bagwell as question marks, the rest of their team getting older, and their offensive deficencies, I just don't see them as much of a threat in the NL Central.

[daske17]

I really don't know how anyone can pick the Astros to do much. With Clemens and Bagwell as question marks, the rest of their team getting older, and their offensive deficencies, I just don't see them as much of a threat in the NL Central.

 

Unforunately, that's what we've said for the past two years.

[CubinNY]

I really don't know how anyone can pick the Astros to do much. With Clemens and Bagwell as question marks, the rest of their team getting older, and their offensive deficencies, I just don't see them as much of a threat in the NL Central.

 

Unforunately, that's what we've said for the past two years.

 

I agree and they still have three pretty decent starters. If they add Huff or another RBI guy to go along with Berkman they will be tough.

 

To me, the key for the Cubs is obvious, pitching. Lee will likely regress a little, Aramis hopefully will produce, but the Cubs have to find someone to step up in the five slot and table set in the two slot. Pierre will be fine at the top of the order. Hopefully Walker comes out hot in ST and then produces at career norms, that would go a long way to solidifying the lineup. I am optimistic about Murton and Cedeno but I don't think we should count on either of them to be diffence makers.

 

All and all, I am hopeful but not optimistic.

[CubsWin]

I really don't know how anyone can pick the Astros to do much. With Clemens and Bagwell as question marks, the rest of their team getting older, and their offensive deficencies, I just don't see them as much of a threat in the NL Central.

 

Unforunately, that's what we've said for the past two years.

 

I agree and they still have three pretty decent starters. If they add Huff or another RBI guy to go along with Berkman they will be tough.

 

To me, the key for the Cubs is obvious, pitching. Lee will likely regress a little, Aramis hopefully will produce, but the Cubs have to find someone to step up in the five slot and table set in the two slot. Pierre will be fine at the top of the order. Hopefully Walker comes out hot in ST and then produces at career norms, that would go a long way to solidifying the lineup. I am optimistic about Murton and Cedeno but I don't think we should count on either of them to be diffence makers.

 

All and all, I am hopeful but not optimistic.

I'd have to agree. I'm hopeful but not optimistic, too. There are ifs contingent to this team's success.

 

If the Cubs stay healthy, they could make the playoffs.

If the younger players produce offensively...

If pitchers get injured and Hill and/or Guzman perform well...

If Hendry is able to add a power hitting, all-star caliber RFer...

 

So, I'm hopeful. It can happen. But I would be optimistic if Giles had been signed.

[Bull]

I really don't know how anyone can pick the Astros to do much. With Clemens and Bagwell as question marks, the rest of their team getting older, and their offensive deficencies, I just don't see them as much of a threat in the NL Central.

 

Unforunately, that's what we've said for the past two years.

 

I agree and they still have three pretty decent starters. If they add Huff or another RBI guy to go along with Berkman they will be tough.

 

To me, the key for the Cubs is obvious, pitching. Lee will likely regress a little, Aramis hopefully will produce, but the Cubs have to find someone to step up in the five slot and table set in the two slot. Pierre will be fine at the top of the order. Hopefully Walker comes out hot in ST and then produces at career norms, that would go a long way to solidifying the lineup. I am optimistic about Murton and Cedeno but I don't think we should count on either of them to be diffence makers.

 

All and all, I am hopeful but not optimistic.

I'd have to agree. I'm hopeful but not optimistic, too. There are ifs contingent to this team's success.

 

If the Cubs stay healthy, they could make the playoffs.

If the younger players produce offensively...

If pitchers get injured and Hill and/or Guzman perform well...

If Hendry is able to add a power hitting, all-star caliber RFer...

 

So, I'm hopeful. It can happen. But I would be optimistic if Giles had been signed.

 

Same if's the past 4 years.

 

The stars have to align eventually, don't they?

[JWCUB]

I agree with Sully. A lot of the sucess of the 06 team depends on the health of the pitching staff. I think if we can get a lead and have the starters go 6 or 7 innings than we should be in good shape. I think the "new" bullpen will slam the door shut. Thus saving the wear and tear on the starters. However, you still have the "Dusty over uses the bullpen" theory. IF the pen is as good as I think it will be, the Cubs could make the games 6 innings. Like the Astros with Lidge, Dotel, and Wagner. Although the Cubs pen will not be as exciting, or as good, I think the "POTENTIAL" is there.

 

Thoughts?

 

Does anyone agree with me here? IF it could fall into place, it would take a lot of pressure off the starters. But on the other hand the pen could be taxed at the end of the year.

 

Thoughts?

[UK1679666180]

Sure, the potential is there, I'd rather see probability at this stage rather than possibility. They're counting on players who haven't been healthy recently becoming healthy and players rebounding from poor seasons. Those two circumstances are also surrounded by hoping certain players won't regress much.

[JGalt73]

Hey if the Astros can get to the WS on that offense, surely the Cubs can get there too. Although, as always, it depends on our starters. I'd say we're due though.

 

As easy as it is to disparage the Astros 2005 offense, the Cubs were only 10 runs better on the year (703 vs 693).

[JWCUB]

Sure, the potential is there, I'd rather see probability at this stage rather than possibility. They're counting on players who haven't been healthy recently becoming healthy and players rebounding from poor seasons. Those two circumstances are also surrounded by hoping certain players won't regress much.

 

That would be the best case IMO. It happened for the Sox, avoided the injury bug, and had career years from their starters and pen. In the Cubs case, they would not have to have career years, just pitch without getting hurt, and pitch to their carrer avgs. I don't see this as unrealistic at all. They just need to stay healthy.