2011 Chicago Cubs Predictions

[Banks]

Revisionist history is far too simple of an alibi. Predicting future outcomes is much more genuine, no matter how incorrect. Besides, it will be funny to look back and see how wrong our predictions were!

Ryan Dempster finishes the season with an ERA over 4 and a WHIP over 1.35

Matt Garza K's over 150 batters, has a whip under 1.3 and and ERA under 3.50

Carlos Zambrano starts less than 20 games

Andrew Cashner finishes the season with an ERA under 4 and a whip under 1.3

Sean Marshall finishes with a whip over 1.4 and an ERA over 3.75

Kerry Wood avoids the DL all season

Marcos Mateo is back in the minors by May

Jeff Samardzija finishes the season with an ERA under 4, and starts a bunch of games

Scott Maine and Robert Coello will be in the pen, by seasons end

Max Ramirez will contribute at 1B/C

The Cubs release Koyie Hill

Alfonso Soriano hits more than 30 home runs, hits over .275 and SLG's over .475

Kosuke Fukudome has his best season with the Cubs. He hits over .285, has an OBP over .380 and SLG's over .470.

Starlin Castro takes a step back, hits under .280, SLG's under .420 and has an OBP of less than .330.

The Cubs make a mid-season trade for a 2B

Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena have bounce back seasons. Ramirez hits more than 30 homers, has over 100 RBI, SLG's over .480 and plays in over 148 games. Pena hits over .250, hits over 30 homers and has an OBP over .340.

Geovany Soto finishes the season batting 4th or 5th

The Cubs win over 85 games

[Vert13]

Long time Cub fan, first time poster. Love the prediction game:

Dempster, Zambrano, Garza all 13+ wins.

Ramirez, Pena 30+ homers (and Colvin and Soriano 25+)

Barney excels at 2B

Cubs are above .500

[Bockstock]

Step forward: Soto, Castro, Wells, Barney, Grabow, Peana

Step back: Garza, Aram, Byrd, Colvin, Samardzija (if that's even possible), Marshall

Wildcards: Cashner, Marmol, back of the pen, Soriano.

I think the Cubs are sellers in July, for the sole reason they can't afford a single injury to one of their main playes if they hope to compete. If they are buyers it means everything has gone perfect, which is fine by me. People forget the Cubs led the league in quality starts last year. A better bullpen and some better luck in clutch hitting could go a long way to create a 5-10 game swing.

If they are sellers I'd bet Grabow, Marshall, Byrd, Fukudome, Baker are out the door. I can't see them trading Aram or Pena (unless they are really struggling) until they get a better picture of what the FA picture looks like or Vitters is really tearing the cover off the ball.

[Doba]

87 wins. 2nd or 3rd in the Central. No chance at a playoff spot.

Castro slumps a little. Rammy's last year as a Cubs. Feast or famine offense. Poor defensively across the board. Solid bullpen. Back end of the rotation changes up a lot. At least one outfielder leaves via trade. Z gets tossed from at least one game.

[VanMan]

After two games, I'll give my predictions:

Dempster, Zambrano and Garza: 15 wins each
Marmol: 35 saves, 90 Ks
Fukudome will emerge as the everyday leadoff hitter in RF
Soriano will platoon with Colvin in LF
Ramirez, Pena and Byrd: 30 HRs each
Fukudome: .300 BA, .375 OBP, .750 OPS, 50 BBs, 25 SBs
Soto: 40 CSes
Cubs record 91-71, 2nd in division, earn wild card.

[SKIPPER 11]

Kind of liking Verts predictions. I think Demps, Garza, Z and Wells will all win 10- 12 games. In saying that I think they will pitch well enough to get 15 wins apiece. Im just not sold on the offense.

4 games in and Rammy is hitting over .400 with 0 rbi. I know he flied out to deep left with 2 on in the opener and he also has two hits with RISP in which the third base coach didnt send the runner. It just seems like he is coming up with nobody on base.

[Bockstock]

Originally Posted by SKIPPER 11 4 games in and Rammy is hitting over .400 with 0 rbi. I know he flied out to deep left with 2 on in the opener and he also has two hits with RISP in which the third base coach didnt send the runner. It just seems like he is coming up with nobody on base.

It should only be a matter of time before Byrd is moved out of the 3 spot. I read he saw 10 total pitches in 4 at-bats yesterday.

[LeeEila's/rant]

The Cubs win over 85 games

really ?

It is looking like a 100 loss team here .

[Banks]

Originally Posted by LeeEila's/rant really ? It is looking like a 100 loss team here .

I am probably off on my prediction...but the Cubs will not lose 100 games.

[LeeEila's/rant]

Originally Posted by Banks I am probably off on my prediction...but the Cubs will not lose 100 games.

OFF ????? Your predictions were complete idiocy