Hey everybody, I'm Ryan and I'm just a regular guy with an extreme passion for sports! When viewing my blog, you will get extreme access to my insight on the world of Chicago Cubs baseball. Feel free to give me some feedback, and I hope you enjoy!
Ted Lilly has started off his 2010 campaign exactly the way the Cubs needed him to. With a 1-0 record in 1 start with a 0.00 ERA, he has the lowest ERA on the team. Even though he has only pitched 6 innings, the Cubs need the crafty lefty to continue his good start on the mound today against Arizona. Ted, we're all pulling for ya!
The Cubs first overall pick in the MLB draft is shaping up to be a potent offensive weapon for the Northsiders so far this spring. Tyler Colvin is leading the Majors in Spring Training in hits with 22 and is fourth in batting average with a .440. Manager Lou Piniella is contemplating keeping Colvin on the roster given that he will get to start a few games a week. Certainly, Colvin's stats indicate he can contribute to the Cubs offense, but I'm just not sure if there is room for him in the outfield. They are already extremely deep out there and have two players with long term contracts out there in Soriano and Fukudome. With the off-season acquisitions of Marlon Byrd and Xavier Nady, it's not looking too good for Tyler now. If I'm Lou, I give him a chance to play a middle infielder spot. Either way, it looks like Colvin is still going to be a Minor Leaguer for Opening Day come April.
Starlin Castro has been one of the best prospects in the Major League farm system since he was 18 years old. He hit well over .350 in the 2009 season and has been one of the top 25 prospects since he came to the Cubs minor league program. With uncertainty still looming at the shortstop position, it's time that Piniella give Castro a chance to show the Cubbie faithful what he is made of. I know some of you are saying that the last great Cub prospect did not end up fairing so well. Felix Pie is not Starlin Castro, plain and simple. Besides, it would be better for him to get his first major league experience in Spring Training, so that if he does falter a bit, the Cubs can send him back down for more work on his game. Either way, Castro will be one of the best Cubs to hit the field since Sandburg.
Is Ted Lilly really ready for Opening Day? Lilly is recovering from surgery on his left shoulder from back in November. To me, 3 months is a little fast to be coming back from a procedure on one of your better pitchers throwing shoulder. There really is not a need for him to rush his recovery. The Cubs cannot afford to lose their #2 starter early in April because he wanted to make his first start in game 2. Piniella has a lot of weapons out of the bullpen that can fill Lilly's spot until he is fully recovered. Jeff Samardzija is one of the Cub's best middle relievers and can be moved into the rotation in Lilly's place. If Lou does not want to take a chance on Samardzija, then he can just move everyone in the rotation up 1 spot and then fill the 7th spot with a capable reliever like Justin Berg or John Grabow. Either way Lou looks at it, telling Ted to take it slow would be the best thing for his pitcher.
The Cubs have made some serious renovations to the Friendly Confines this off-season. One of the major additions is the batting cages underneath the right field bleachers. This hitting area will be equipped with one-way glass that allows fans to watch players hit off of the tees and see live pitching. The one-way glass also allows fans to take pictures without disrupting the players in the cage. Also, they are making renovations to the restrooms at the concourse level to make more room to eliminate long lines. That should make the beer flow more now that Cub Crazies won't have to wait as long in line for a spot in the bathroom.
