Chicago Cubs: Time to Break that Curse

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  • KingFry
    Pro
    • May 2013
    • 704

    #31
    Re: Chicago Cubs: Time to Break that Curse

    CHICAGO CUBS: NO MORE CURSE; CUBS KEYS TO SUCESS

    By baseball Analyst Jason Saner / MLB.com


    In 1945, a man named Bill Sianis went to the cubs world series game, he brought his pet billy goat, thinking it would be good luck. The Cubs were so successful, until they wouldn't let the billy goat in. The man got angry and suddenly screamed " These Cubs ain't gonna win no more!" Ever since, the Cubs have never won a world series.

    But that shall change! The Cubs off to a hot start in 2014 at 14-8. They have the 10th best BA in the NL and are tied at 7th for the most steals in the MLB. The hitting has been fantastic. The pitching has been solid as well with an ERA of 3.53. Now, the problem is though, is if the cubs can keep this up. Here are the keys the the Cubs success.

    Nate Schierholtz and Albert Almora

    With Schierholtz in the 6 hole he needs to hit well. With one of the most powerful, young, and talented group of guys in the 3, 4, 5 hole, he needs to knock them in. Rizzo last year hit .320 and is bound to improve. They added in powerful Salty and young RF who is already a stud, Soler, is hitting .316, and hit .280 in 390 ABs last year. If Schierholtz doesn't hit, or at least knock them in, Almora will take the job himself. Almora has been playing around 1/3 games and is a top prospect. He will most likely soon takeover Schierholtz making him a 4th OF and a guy who could likely be traded, but then he will need to do the same thing as Schierholtz. These two players could be the keys to the Cubs hitting.

    Darwin Barney and Willie Bloomquist

    Darwin Barney is batting in the two hole to start the year and needs to produce. With Castro getting on 40% of the time, and Rizzo, Salty, and Soler always hitting, he can't afford to hit into DPs or strikeout. He needs to produce in the two hole. With Castro's speed he can turn a single into a double, and he needs to make it count by getting hits. If he fails, it will be the same for Bloomquist as they would likely switch spots in the batting order.

    Alex Yarbrough

    Yarbrough, being the only infielder on the bench, HAS TO TO WELL. Yarbrough can play the whole infield, but he isn't a top fielder. He can hit fine, but needs to be able to field when guys get hurt or in extra innings someone is tired.

    Chris Heston and Erik Surkamp

    Both of these players are big parts of the Cubs. If anyone struggles in that rotation one or both will be taking over. They need to be ready and also need to prepare in the bullpen. It isn't a great 'pen the Cubs have, and with Marmol likely to be traded it doesn't make it any better. With lots of stamina they will be getting lots of playing time and need to produce from the 'pen which will be highly worked.

    Last edited by KingFry; 06-22-2013, 06:09 PM.
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    • KingFry
      Pro
      • May 2013
      • 704

      #32
      Re: Chicago Cubs: Time to Break that Curse

      Chicago Cubs: 19-8 Pittsburgh Pirates: 11-15

      PITTSBURGH -- It was a bright sunny 67 degree day here in Pittsburgh as Scott Baker faced off against Wandy Rodriguez

      The game wasn't nessicerily a pitching duel, although Scott Baker only allowed 2 earned through 7. The game started off fast as the Cubs scored three runs in the first. Barney had a double, as well as Rizzo, Salty and Soler.

      There were spurts of runs here and there until 8th and 9th. Bloomquist got his first double and led the Cubs to a two run inning.

      The Pirates came back and scored a run and then in the bottom of the 9th tied it with 3 runs off of some doubles and singles, Alex Presley knocked in two. Then in the 11th Bloomquist doubled in another run to win the game.

      It was another late inning thriller for the Cubs.

      ------------------------------------------------

      After winning game 1 they went on to split the next two and will now have a tough opponent with the Cards. Allen Webster will pitch against Wainwright -- Webster needs to perform or he could be moving to the bullpen.
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      • KingFry
        Pro
        • May 2013
        • 704

        #33
        Re: Chicago Cubs: Time to Break that Curse

        Chicago Cubs: 21-9 St. Louis Cardinals: 14-16

        St. Louis -- Allen Webster and Adam Wainwright were pitching today and today looked like what most people called a pitchers duel.

        The Cardinals started off with a bang, but didn't get any runs somehow someway. Jay ledoff with a double and then two outs brough Craig to the plate. He doubled but Jay didn't score, then Holliday grounded out.

        The game started out slow as a pitchers duel was bound to show through 9. Through 5 innings of work, the Cubs only had 4 hits and the Cards 3. In the bottom of the 5th though Adam Wainwright of all people, DESTROYED a low fastball to center field for a HR. The inning then ended.

        A big top of the 6th changed everything. Barney led off with a single then Rizo crushed one to right field to homer him in. Salty then flies out followed by a Soler single. Schierholtz then doubles. Mujica then came in for Wainwright only to allow more runs as Bloomquist knocks in Schierholtz then two outs end the 4 run inning.

        Starlin Castro showed he had power in the 7th leading off with a HR to give some insurance to pitcher Allen Webster.

        In the top 9th some more insurance comes in as Jackson singles then is out on a fielders choice. With a man on first Barney doubles him in and the inning follows with two outs.

        The bottom 9th didn't go as smooth as we though. They let Webster pitch and gave up a single. The bullpen then came in(I had simmed this last inning due to the big lead... I thought I was going to lose) and gave up 3 runs and then finally ended it. Webster was great through 8 allowing two earned and 6 hits.

        Next game will feature ace Jeff Samardjiza against Jamie Garcia.
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        • Deuce2223
          Hall Of Fame
          • Dec 2007
          • 12571

          #34
          Re: Chicago Cubs: Time to Break that Curse

          Being both a Cubs fan and a M's fan, I can say it's a sad day when we have to put our hopes in Wiliie Bloomquest.


          Good luck to you in your quest to break the curse.

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          • KingFry
            Pro
            • May 2013
            • 704

            #35
            Re: Chicago Cubs: Time to Break that Curse

            AFTER WINNING 2/3 IN STL THEY GO BACK HOME AND LOSE 2/3 TO PHILLY.

            ---------------------
            ---------------------------------------------------------------
            CUBS NOTEPAD: Trade Canidates at the deadline

            Brett Jackson or George Springer

            With an overloaded OF, one of these guys is bound to go. Everyone knew the Cubs had three great OFs last year in the minor leagues. With Soler being the best of them, he has secured a spot as a franchise player. With Almora young and projected to be the new Mike Trout by scouts, it's most likely one of these guys. Both top prospects, they have both been hitting great. Jacson batting .340 and Springer on the bench batting .304. 24, and 25, one is bound to go. They just started platooning recently so it'll most likely be the one who is struggling most by the deadline.

            Nate Schierholtz

            Another outfielder on this list, Schierholtz. Schierholtz is bound to go as there are 4 top outfield prospects on this team. If Schierholtz isn't traded he'll be nothing more then a 4th or 5th OF, the Cubs would rather have a nice decent young reliever.

            Any of the Minor League pitchers

            If anyone has realized, the Cubs are loaded with pitching depth. Not in the bullpen, though. In the minors they have Pierce Johnson, Drake Britton, Alberto Cabrera, Eric Jokisch, Jose DeJusus(is a stud, doubt he'll be traded), Brooks Raley, Duane Underwood(19 years old and great) and Alex Wood who is currently in the majors. (All A and B POT pitchers). They also have Barret Loux(C POT). If you put three of these together in a trade to a rebuilding team in need of pitchers, these guys can probably grab a stud.

            Dan Vogelbach

            With A-Rizzo at 1B, this guy is always an option to go. He is a minor league stud, but the Cubs just have no room for him. Any team looking for a young 1B who could be a star will be interested in him. He is at his highest in value about now, batting .309 with 6 HRs in AAA so far. He can definetely be a building block for any team.

            -------------------------------------

            Hey guys, since I didn't update you on the Cubs draft I'm just gonna tell you some of the guys and there potentials:

            Rafael Ayala: 59 OVR, has 67 Power and is 19 years old. Plays 3B. He is phenominal

            Derek Fitsgerald: 60 OVR, 19, Shortstop. So speedy, is a great fielder. Needs to work on hitting though. Also has 99 durability.

            Jason McMullen: A POT 18 year old LF. 54 OVR. Decent fielder with his speed at 52 already. Power numbers also up there.

            Miguel Taverez: 19 year old 1B. A POT. Great fielder. Hitting going to get better. Not to slow either.




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            • KingFry
              Pro
              • May 2013
              • 704

              #36
              Re: Chicago Cubs: Time to Break that Curse

              Originally posted by Deuce2223
              Being both a Cubs fan and a M's fan, I can say it's a sad day when we have to put our hopes in Wiliie Bloomquest.


              Good luck to you in your quest to break the curse.
              Needed a rental 3B who can be a utility IFer once Baez or Vitters is ready. Doubt Vitters will EVER be ready, and Baez in AAA batting .292, 5 SBs 4 HRs. If he keeps up good work I will promote him by June. Don't want to rush it though, could down his potential. But yeah I know lol. Anyways, thanks for the good luck!
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