So Will the Cubs go all the way this year???

voodoopug wrote:

Zambrano, aside from his no hitter, has been terrible and sore lately
Hardin can only pitch 80-90 pitches, Marmol is not Marmol (Circa May)
Dempster has been solid, but can he keep it up?
Wood (can he pitch several days in a row?)

Z has had a few bad outings, but his arm strength is right. During the no-no he was flirting with 100mph on a few pitches. He hasn't thrown that strong in a long time. So clearly, we need to make sure Z gets 12 days of rest between each start. Jokes aside, and the inevitable post-no-no collapse, his arm is right now, and he is such a fierce competitor that he's gonna be able to will his way through the post-season if his arm isn't there. What I'm trying to say is that inlike Mark Prior you won't see him throwing towels or games.

No arguments about Hardin, but I think you're wrong about Marmol. He really struggled before and after the all-star game, but now his arm is right, and that slider is still fooling people who have seen it all year.

Dempster has been so solid all year long, that the only thing that is calling his post season performance into question is that old Cubbie fear/superstition/personification of Murphy's Law.

Wood has proven that he can pitch back to back to back to back a few times this year. The only caveat is that you don't want to make him go two innings and then go the next day and the one after it. He can do it; his arm is strong enough, but he has always had a problem with mechanics when his arm gets tired. The 3/4 delivery on that 90s slider is what blew his arm out, and he hasn't yet got that speed back on that pitch all these years later. What I'm trying to say is that I'm more worried about injury than fatigue with him, as I've seen him pitch his way successfully through fatigue, until he hurt himself. As he goes is how the team goes, and I'd love nothing more than to see him on the mound at Wrigley if & when the Cubs win the World Series.

The lynchpin is going to be Marmol, because he is going to be called on to go two or more innings at crucial times to keep Woody fresh.

I loved seeing Marquis hit a grand slam and account for 5 RBIs, but I don't think he's got a spot on the playoff roster. I'd like to see Hoffpauir make the team. With the way that the team has been hitting amid a sub par year from Lee (although a mere look at the stats wouldn't seem to bear that out until you get to GIDP), I think the firepower is there and the pitching is right. That said, even the best don't necessarily make it without a bit of luck. I think & hope this is the year, but even if it isn't, this is a fun team to watch.

Ok, I've been a Cubs fan my whole life...I've been through it all well since the 80's anyway and I seriously think if they have ever had a chance to do it this is their year! However, that being said. If they for some reason do not make it this year I will probably self destruct and go down in a blaze of glory. I cried in 03 and last year when they got swept by the Diamondbacks I about lost it. I can't deal with another post season upset. I hope Eddie's song broke the curse!

Gonzo1977 wrote:

Cubs 2008

All signs point to YES!!

Oh YES - all powerful Magic 8 Ball!!