Andy Schmidt's Chicago Cubs fan blog

As the Cubs open a three-game set in Pittsburgh, the North Siders will see their first two left-handed starters of the year, it will be interesting to see how the Cubs fear against these two. The Cubs faced the fewest number of left-handed starters in the league last year and were under .500 under them. Having Reed Johnson will be a help and is it not interesting that Johnson has started the last two games heading into today. No Pie, could it be that it is overswinging for the fences already? Very likely. Pirates are playing pretty well right now with Nady and McLouth, I see the Cubs winning 2 of 3 in the Steel City.

Continue reading "Time for the lefties"

So three games down and the Cubs are 1-2. Take a look at the standings and you will see some interesting things early on. The Nationals are 3-1, Royals are 3-0, Tigers are 0-3. Today's win was very important, Dempster looked strong after his rough first inning and the offense is starting to pick it up some. It was crucial for Wood to get the save in the 9th, he needs to continue working on his confidence as a closer and today was a great start. The Brewers are looking tough but beatable. As Cub fans, it's time for a deep breath and relax and get ready for the Astros tomorrow afternoon. 3-3 on Monday will be just fine with me.

Continue reading "Now is not the time to panic"

As I watched the rain continue to fall Monday afternoon waiting for the Cubs-Brewers game to start and noticing the flags were blowing out, I figured that we were about to see a high-scoring ballgame even with Zambrano and Sheets pitching. Obviously, that did not happen for the first eight innings before the ninth inning craziness. Let's begin the ninth inning discussion with Kerry Wood. Maybe it was a letdown for him not pitching in a save situation but it's Opening Day and the first pitch you throw hits Weeks in the back. That is not going to help to win any games. Let's hope he settles down before his next scheduled appearance. I never thought in my wildest dreams that Fukudome would go 3-for-3 in his first game in the U.S. nor did I think there was any chance he was going to hit a game-tying three-run homer. He looks impressive for the first game at least. Fukudome has trouble with pitches that move a lot and Sheets' fastball is dead straight. I love what I saw but I want to see what he does next time around. The bullpen looked a bit shaky to say the least with Howry giving up the run in the 10th that allowed the game to get away. Marmol is the lone sharp piece in the puzzle so far but right now is no time to get rash and start switching everything up one game in. Last but not least, it's time to get Big Z a sponsorship with Aquafina or something. Drink more water, big guy! I'm excited to see what happens Wednesday on a much nicer day for baseball and maybe get a victory by the shores of Lake Michigan.

Continue reading "Reactions from Game 1"

The day we have been waiting for is here, Cub fans. It's been a long winter waiting for Zambrano-Sheets this afternoon. It's going to be about 50-55 by gametime and hopefully the heavy rains will hold off until after the game. Should be fun, a long season is ready to get underway.

Continue reading "Finally, it's Opening Day"

Earlier this afternoon, the Cubs signed former Blue Jay Reed Johnson to a one-year deal to back up Felix Pie in center field. A very interesting and needed signing for a team that needed a right-handed backup OF who can play all three positions. Center is not Johnson's normal position, he is more of a left-fielder but I believe he will fill in just fine against left-handed pitching. Also, Johnson did a lot of leading-off in Toronto so he is used to the role if Theriot needs a day off and the lineup is shuffled. It is a solid signing and now the next question is what to do with Matt Murton. There is no place for him on this team at this point with Johnson on board. A trade may be coming in the next few days for the mighty redhead.

Continue reading "Let's welcome Reed Johnson"

Today, Uncle Lou starts a new plan with Fukudome in the 2 hole and Soriano-Lee-Ramirez 3-4-5. If no trades are made, this is the best lineup you can put on the field. Theriot at the top is a good start if he can improve his on-base from last year and he can run and won't try to homer on every pitch like our previous leadoff hitter. However, a trade has to be made here soon. I worry about center field, Pie can't hit left-handed pitching right now so a right-hand hitting CF is needed for a platoon or maybe a better idea. How about signing Kenny Lofton? He played very well last year in Texas and Cleveland and has played at Wrigley before. You move Lofton to the top of the order and keep 2-5. Have DeRosa hit 6, Soto 7 and Theriot 9 while putting the pitcher at 8. It is unconventional b

Continue reading "Is this the last lineup change?"

So Uncle Lou has moved Soriano to No. 2 and Fukudome to No. 5, sounds good on the surface doesn't it? We all enjoy the leadoff homers but those leadoff strikeouts don't help. Will Soriano get the same amount of fastballs in the 2 hole, probably with D-Lee behind him but Soriano needs to be hitting fifth in this order.

The next problem is that you don't have a leadoff hitter now. I would love to have Brian Roberts leading off but it seems the Orioles keep dragging their feet and center field is not close to resolved. Pie and Fuld have proven this spring that they are not ready in their own ways. Pie keeps swinging for the fences when he should be using his speed. Fuld is a good 4th or 5th OF but not a everyday player. Could the Cubs get Coco Crisp? Sure but he's a health risk right now with his groin problems. You may be stuck with Soriano at the top with Fukudome fifth in the lineup. Time will tell if Cub management makes a necessary move at the top of the order.

Continue reading "Lineup changes, what's the next move"

Looking at Saturday's box scores from the Cubs split squad games, I noticed something very interesting that Jon Lieber threw four shutout innings against the D-Backs. I know it wasn't the full Arizona lineup that Lieber was facing but seeing that performance is starting to make me think that Lieber is gaining control on the fifth spot in the rotation. Jason Marquis has made it clear that he wants out and his second-half performances the last 2 years have shown he can't be trusted after July 1. Now all the Cubs need is a No. 3 starter and possibly a center-fielder since Pie and Fuld aren't exactly ripping the cover off the ball right now. Only 3 more weeks till the regular season begins and still too many questions.

Continue reading "Lieber the key in trading Marquis"

As the month of March begins today, I have a few things running through my mind that I need to get off my chest as a Cubs fan.

- Sam Zell doesn't need another $400 million. The man has enough money already, just sell the team and you will get the 400 mil you want from that. Wrigley Field should always be Wrigley Field and should never change. It would be like changing Fenway Park to Campbell's Chunky Chowder Stadium. Not happening, is it.

- Cubs are on TV for the next two days on CSN. It will be nice to see Fukudome live in action for the next couple afternoons and with the weather this winter in Chicagoland, it is always pleasant to see green grass and warmer weather. Spring will be here before we all know it.

- Now some predictions early in Spring Training, these are subject to change by March 31 but as of now. Division Winners: Mets, Cubs, Rockies. Wild Card: Brewers (something about this team is good and will force the Cubs into winning 90+ games this year). Playoffs: Cubs beat Mets in 5, Rockies beat Brewers in 5. NLCS: Cubs over Rockies in 6. I'm a big time Cub fan so I'm probably a homer on that one but that's take on the NL.

Continue reading "March Morning Musings"

With Mark DeRosa's heart condition and his availability in question at this point of spring training for the regular season, the time has come to finally make the Brian Roberts trade happen. I know a lot of people has been chirping about this all winter long but as the season draws closer and closer by the hour and day, the Cubs need a leadoff hitter and a second baseman possibly. Here's my take on this, Soriano is not the answer at the top. He gets his fastballs and hits 30-40 homeruns a season but this team can't afford solo homeruns all year from him. Stick him fourth in this lineup and I think he would be just fine. Give me a lineup of Roberts, Fukudome, Lee, Soriano, Ramirez, Soto, Theriot and either Pie or Fuld and I think the Cubs would do just fine. DeRosa would be

Continue reading "With DeRosa out, time for Cubs to pull trigger on Roberts deal"