[pete_b]

Pierre and Mabry have been the guys driving in all the runs when the Cubs win. When these two guys are cold, the Cubs lose. Two losses in a row now and the Cubs are giving up alot of runs. Boy I wish our boys would come home from the WBC so we can see what this team does with our big bat Lee. Anybody know how are boy behind the plate Barret is fairing?

[wedge]

He's not. In three games he's 0 for 5, but on the bright side...he does have an RBI!!

[pete_b]

Greg Maddux pitched five decent innings. Our two Walkers had a couple of dingers and they scored seven runs in the eight inning. Boy how I love to see the Cubs beat the Pads. Pierre looks weak at the plate, almost afraid of the ball. Check our Ramirez, our third baseman, hitting over 500 with thirteen homers. Anybody know how Pryor is doing?

[pete_b]

March 22-25
The looked great against Seattle. Ramirez and Perez are on fire. The pitching looks good. After the Cubs loss to Texas they took a double header today. The first one against KC where Barret had three hits and the second a squeaker against Oakland but a shut out none the less. Is there really still a chance?

[mamijole]

I'm sorry, a chance for what? I am a die hard Cubs fan transplanted from Chicago to Memphis 4 years ago, this years team seems to me to be the best chance "we " have had in a while ( injury willing). Why is everyone concerned with spring training outings day-to-day.

Have I missed something?

[Lefty Noob]

Hi, mamijole, and welcome to GoTeamsGo. Thanks for joining us to talk a little Cubs baseball. I think there are two reasons why people are doubting the Cubbies this year. First, the Central is a tough division. The Cards and Astros are always good, and the Pirates and the Brewers should be vastly improved this year. The second issue is the injuries on the pitching staff. I'm a Pirates fan by nature, but I do kind of like Chicago too. Still, I've got to wonder: will Wood and Prior ever be 100% healthy?

[mamijole]

Excited about Pierre at the top of the order. Jones will do well in a new city, Murton and Cedeno are good young players. I wonder about 2nd base though. Possibly the best moves they made was getting Howry and Eyre as setup guys, bullpen seems to have been achilles heel over past several years.

[Lefty Noob]

I keep hearing contradicting stories about Walker at 2B. Some media outlets say he's a lock to start the season there, others seem to think he'll be shipped as soon as someone makes a half-decent offer. What would you like to see them do at that position?

[mamijole]

I like Walker, but more as a bench/utility guy. Good hit, decent glove, no speed.

Hairston might step up now that he is healthy. Perez always gets written off but continues to be steady. Maybe platoon and see what happens. I don't think there is anyone in the minors that is ready. Would have been nice if Furcal had decided to go to Cubs and Cedeno could move to second, but coulda shoulda woulda don't mean much now

Eric Patterson in the minors might be the future, but I hear he is not ready yet

[pete_b]

If there is a will there is a way. Maybe Dusty can make something out of this team. More difficult things have been done. Maddux went six innings today, I think its his longest outing yet. I can smell nine I can smell it. Ramirez had an RBI and so did our oldie but goodie Nifi Perez.

[mamijole]

I was just reading posts about Zambrano being out too....????

[Lefty Noob]

Yep. Any bets about how long until Maddux goes down too?

[mamijole]

Sorry, I don't make sucker bets