How Sweep it is...My Cubbies are on a roll..
I was really afraid that my Cubs will be on a downfall before this series started, but they proved me wrong. I just need to believe. Believe that this will be the year for them (I'm a die hard Cubs fan... Their passion in this sport, their lineup and the way they play even if they are losing)
They were swept by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays going into this series. They had no sleep going to Game 1 of the 3 game set but once again they managed to pull things together and win it for their fans. Unlike last year, the Cubs are very hard to beat when they are at home. Their home streak is at 14 right now, one of the longest streaks in their franchise.
I am so happy that a lot of people have step up this year. They also find ways to pick each other up when others are struggling. Their swagger this year is different. The desire and fire to win is there.
So why are they winning right now and why do they lead the majors in the win-lose column... Uhmmm...
1. The Bullpen -
A. Carlos Marmol was read hot last April and May. He was unhittable. He did NOT allow an inherited run to score. He recently struggled this June but i still believe he would be able to regain his April/May form.
B. Kerry Wood - After struggling to close in his first few games. Wood became unhittable. He has saved 19 games in Chicago's 48 wins this first half.
C. Bob Howry - After a terrible April. Bob Howry was able to pick his game up and became the Bob Howry they signed 2 years back.
This 7,8 and 9th inning combination is a BIG reason why the Cubs are winning.
2. Kosuke Fukudome - He may not hit homeruns that often but he is a relentless and the smartest hitter i've seen play. He leads the Majors in most pitches thrown into and the most player with 3-2 counts. He is very patient and has an OBP average of .405. He could run and steal. He is a very good defensive player at right.
3. Ryan Dempster - Perhaps one of the biggest success stories of the Cubs this year. He is expected to make the All Star Game Selection. He is 9-2 this season. He made the transition from a closer to a starter looked like stealing candies from a 5 year old. Dempster just needs to find a way to win in the road. Other than that, we're all good. He is throwing strikes and is very agressive to hitters.
4. Derrek Lee - Aramis Ramirez - Who would forget the corner infielders and the 3rd/4th hitters of the Club. They have delivered. Lee has yet to be on fire but he is still producing. Aramis is on the verge of getting hot and will be big in the next few games.
5. Mark de Rosa - Why Mark at 5th? Imagine the Cubs without him. They would have problems on which player will play on what position. With De Rosa on board, they have a player which they could move to 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, left field and right field (Yeah.. He's a guy who could play all 5 positions). He's the most underrated player for me but i think he's one of the MVP's for the Chicago Cubs. Really really valuable.
6. Ryan Theriot - Gosh.. I almost forgot Ryan.. He leads the Cubs in Average at .313 and OBP. This kid can steal and can play shortstop. Definitely the most improved player for the Cubs this season.
7. Carlos Zambrano - Yeah... He's Big Z and he deserves to be on this list. No explanations needed. Hopefully he'll get healthy soon. Good move by the Cubs to let him rest and put him on the DL first.
There's a lot more reasons why the Cubs are winning but for me those are the top one's. If people read this and wonder where Alfonso Soriano is, i did not put him on that list intentionally. Though he is valuable for the Cubs, he has yet to be the Alfonso we knew 2 years back. He was on the process of getting there but then he got hurt ( ouch! ). I'm hoping we get him back to the lineup soon. The good news is, The Cubs are playing like a team and they have picked each other up (e.g Geovany Sotto, Eric Patterson, Cedeno and Fontenot).
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