The Chicago Cubs are still riding high with a Major League leading 49-30 record. They enter Friday’s theatrical series with the Chicago White Sox losing two of the last three series although the winning series was against the White Sox. The Cubs have had a difficult stretch this month in which they have gone only 6-6 against Toronto, Tampa Bay, Chicago, and Baltimore in their last 12 games. They have gone 14-9 the month of June. Still, The Cubs will go into Friday’s action with a 4 1/2 game lead over surprising second place St. Louis. Even though its been a struggle, much of the success should be credited to the Cubs depth.
The Cubs have been dealing with their share of injuries lately. Carlos Zambrano is on the DL along with Alfonso Soriano. The two high priced superstars were replaced by Sean Marshall and Reed Johnson. Marshall himself was on the shelf earlier this year and Reed Johnson has had trouble with his back and also had to go on the DL. In relief of Johnson has been Eric Patterson and Matt Murton. Patterson has had sparks of good play but Murton has tanked. What else could go wrong? Well, Kosuke Fukudome is now experiencing calf tightness in his left leg and has missed the last couple of games. Although the injury isn’t considered serious, it is cause for concern.
The Cubs have still be able to battle their way to a solid June with contributions from a Cubs organization deep enough to be considered deeper than any Cubs team in recent memory. The Cubs were counting on Rich Hill to make the next step in his career in becoming a front line starter. Hill has had major problems with his control and is all but forgotten for this year’s team as he is toiling with the same problems in the minors. Sean Gallagher has stepped in for Hill and done an amazing job thus far. Once thought to be on his way to Baltimore in the beginning of the season, Gallagher looks to be a pitcher who will be in the Cubs rotation for years to come. His numbers speak for themselves. In June, Gallagher has posted a 3.32 ERA in 4 starts while pitching 21 2/3 innings. In those innings, he has walked only 7 and struck out 22. Those numbers almost mirror the success he has enjoyed throughout his minor league career. Overall, Gallagher is 3-3 with a 3.97 ERA in 10 games in which 8 have been starts.
Felix Pie was the Cubs superstar prospect for the past 3 years and was expected to take over this season. While he showed some improvement at the plate at times, Pie had too many easy out at-bats for Lou Pinella’s liking. How have the Cubs overcome this? Two Center Field pick ups in Jim Edmonds and aforementioned Reed Johnson have both done the job while in there. Edmonds has raised his level of offensive play so much that he is revisiting the success of his days with the St. Louis Cardinals. Edmonds has knocked in 21 runs in only 84 at-bats. Johnson, meanwhile, has knocked in 31 runs in only 181 at-bats. That is a ton of production. Of course, some of that damage was done in Left Field for Johnson. Edmonds makes the league minimum while the Cardinals and Padres share his 8 million plus contract. Reed was signed for a million bucks which has also been a complete steal.
The depth also includes the Cubs versatility on the Cubs roster. Mark DeRosa, Ronny Cedeno, and Eric Patterson have been playing all over the field. Jon Lieber has been in the bullpen but is ready to start at any time. With all these injuries and disappointing seasons for the Cubs, they still go out and expect to win no matter who is on the field. The Cubs hope to be back at full strength by next month when they are hopefully pulling away from the rest of the division. It is never easy but the Cubs are prepared to win with as an organization.
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on Thursday, June 26th, 2008 at 8:27 pm and is filed under John's View.
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