Bleed Cubbie Blue, 2009

CHICAGO CUBS PREVIEW

The 3 Burning Questions

1. Can the Cubs do something they haven't done since 1908?

No, NOT WIN A WORLD SERIES. Actually, the Cubs are going for their 3rd straight playoff appearance, the first time since 1908 when Frank Chance was a player-coach. I don't see Sweet Lou picking up a bat anytime soon, but the Cubs are primed for another playoff run. They are also going for their 3rd consecutive division title, something the Cubs have never done since the league was split into divisions. The NL Central is brutal (and that is being nice), so the Cubs should walk to a title and the playoffs.

2. What is the deal in center field?

The real question becomes, which Kosuke Fukudome is going to show up? The one who started the season hot and started in right field for the National League All-Star team? Or, the one who spun himself into the ground trying to hit pitches in different zip codes than the strike zone? Fukudome was a great hitter in Japan and appears more confident this spring, but he has something to prove. Especially with the gritty, fan-favorite Reed Johnson as his competition. Reed plays hard, does the little things and has weird facial hair. Whoever produces will patrol the land between Soriano and Bradley.

3. Can everyone stay healthy?

With the majority of the core returning from last year and with the current state of the NL Central, the Cubs are in great position to make it three straight post-season trips. That is, if everyone stays healthy. Soriano and Bradley have both shown injury problems in the past and Derrek Lee/Aramis Ramirez are not getting any younger. We all know about Rich Harden's past. If everyone can stay healthy, the Cubs will be in good shape.

X-FACTOR: Geovany Soto
Can the catching phenom avoid the sophomore slump? Soto quickly erased the memories of Todd Hundley and Jason Kendall last year as he took the Rookie of the Year and became the first ever rookie catcher to start for the National League All-Star team. If Geo can keep producing, the Cubs lineup will be as potent as any in the league.

BREAK OUT YEAR: Mike Fontenot
The LSU Tigers starting double-play combo from the 2000 National Championship team has been reunited. Fontenot has always been the better hitter than Theriot, setting a Freshman record with 17 home runs at LSU on his way to Freshman of the Year in the nation. He has produced when called upon for the Cubs in the past, and with DeRosa gone, it is his time to show what he can do. Beware of the under 5'9" combo.

PREDICTION: 100-62, 1st NL Central
The NL central is bad. The Brewers, the best team from 2008, lost all of its pitching. The rest of the league is hurting. The 2nd best team might be the Cincinatti Reds!! Dusty Baker anyone? The Cubs should coast to a division championship and the fact that teams play within in the division so often, I see 100 wins as very attainable. If everyone stays healthy, this should be a good year for the Northsiders.