For sure we'll have to re-visit this idea come Spring. But right now, how's it feeling, Cub fans?
First off, there's the new ownership that's got me feeling very good.
But then there's this World Series going on. One can't help but look at the Phillies and the Yankees and then compare with the home team here on Chicago's North Side.
Surely the Cubs won't suffer the same devastating series of injuries next year, and the epidemic of career lows - that can't happen again in 2010, right? But even if it doesn't, just look at the lineups playing October baseball. D. Lee would have a hard time unseating Mark Teixeira. Aramis? Well, if they didn't allow steroid guys to play, he could probably start. Theriot, Geo, Alfonso, Milton, Kosuke, Fontenot or Baker? Don't think so.
Pitching's another matter and while there is no Cub right now who looks like Cliff Lee, pitching's kind of a moving target, you know? Like, Cliff Lee - did he look that good in July? I don't know. Cole Hamels sure ain't the same guy he was last year. Big Z, his skill level seems to go up and down a lot during the season. And Rich Harden, if you catch him on a good day he's pretty awesome. But the bad days are...bad. Ted Lilly's waaay the most consistent thru the season (GET HIM A NEW CONTRACT NOW, PLEASE). Ryan Dempster and young stud Randy Wells seem pretty even-keeled, at least last year.
Well, one thing is certain and that is baseball is a team sport. The whole chemistry thing was shot to hell last season. But once Milton scrams, I figure there's a great base of guys in Chicago and that team concept might come back into focus a little more. I used to listen to guys I thought were smart baseball people and when they said team chemistry is over-rated, I used to believe them.
Not any more.
Any more, I think team chemistry is more like a 10th guy or something.
So here's hoping that next year the Cubs have that chemistry mojo, and they get back on track. Because the other thing about getting all depressed as I compare lineups to the WS teams is that if the Cubs can just get in the freaking door, it boils down to who's hot and who's not right then.
Okay, the series.
Tonight'll be interesting with the 3 day rest thing for CC Sabathia. Personally, I think a rested guy is better than a 3-day rested guy. But if you read the NEW YORK TIMES, you'll see the rested guy is Chad Gaudin. So I completely understand Girardi going this way, even if Sabathia looked kinda not hot last time out.
Okay, if you haven't yet - TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK AN HOUR.
And here's the mask my daughter made to wear to something called "Freak Fest" in Madison. I believe it's made of a couple paper plates, a couple paper cups, and a Coke can. She likes that "Day of the Dead" thing. Me too.
