CNN/SI Preview: Chicago Cubs
Posted: Monday March 08, 1999 03:12 PM
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Opposing hitters managed just a .196 average against Wood in '98, best in the majors Jonathan Daniel/Allsport |
By Ryan Hunt, CNN/SI Player to Watch: Kerry Wood,
P With Michael Jordan retired, there are just two athletes in
Chicago that have the capability to leave the Windy City breathless. One is
Sammy Sosa,
the other has Cub fans just plain holding their collective breath.
Ever since wunderkind pitcher Kerry Wood struck out 20 Astros last May -- a
performance that went a long way to helping him earn the 1998 NL Rookie of
the Year -- Chicago has been wild over Wood. Even at the tender age of 20,
Wood has outdueled some of the league's best pitchers, including Atlanta's
Greg Maddux.
More importantly, Wood has given the Cubs something they haven't had since
Maddux left -- a dominant No. 1 starter. While Wood's dominance
hasn't been questioned, his durability has. He missed the final month of
last season with a tired arm and battled illness for the early part of this
spring. Wood won 13 games as a rookie, while making 26 starts. If Wood can
make 32-35 starts this season -- and win close to 20 games - the Cubs can
contend for their second straight wild-card berth, and perhaps make a run
at the NL Central crown. 1998 Recap (90-73, 2nd place NL
Central) You can't talk about the Cubs' magical 1998 season
without mentioning Sosa. 90 wins? The third playoff berth in the last 14
years? Nah, how 'bout those 66 homers. In fact, Sosa's season kind
of mirrored Chicago's -- started slowly, had a hot streak in June (the Cubs
had a 10-game winning streak that ended June 8), ended the regular season
with consistent performances and then struggled in the playoffs.
But it was the Sosa and the Cubs' play in Wrigley Field that led them to
the postseason, which ended early after a three-game sweep by Atlanta.
Chicago was 20 games over .500 at the Friendly Confines, thanks in part to
Sosa's 35 home blasts. 1999 Outlook Cubs general manager Ed
Lynch didn't think there were too many holes from last season's team to
fill. Chicago didn't make a major acquisition in the offseason, settling
for former Pirate right-hander Jon Lieber and
journeyman catcher Benito
Santiago to complete its roster. Lieber, acquired in a trade
for OF Brant
Brown, has only one winning season in his first five major league
years, although he did play in Pittsburgh. He will be in the middle of the
Cubs' rotation, following Wood, Tapani and possibly Steve
Trachsel. The starting rotation, which will be rounded out by either Terry
Mulholland, Scott Sanders
or the rehabbing Jeremi
Gonzalez, must win more than last season's 67 combined victories if
Chicago is going to be in the pennant race come September.
It will be hard to imagine Sosa repeating his MVP season from 1998,
although the key number for Sosa will be his batting average. Sosa raised
his average 57 points to .308 in '98 and his ability to stay above .300
will be key in determining the Cubs' fortunes. As with most teams,
health will be a major concern for the Cubs, especially with aging players
like 3B Gary
Gaetti (40 years old), 1B Mark Grace (34),
SS Jeff
Blauser (33), 2B Mickey
Morandini (32) and LF Henry
Rodriguez (31).
The Cubs, though, can only hope Blauser's fortunes improve. After signing
him to a big free-agent contract last offseason, Blauser laid an egg
offensively (.219 average and only four homers) and found himself on the
bench in favor of Jose
Hernandez or Manny
Alexander down the stretch. Blauser will be given another chance to
straighten out his woes at the plate this season. However, the
Cubs' success will be largely dependent on the bullpen. Terry Adams, Felix Heredia,
Matt
Karchner and Co. must get the lead to closer Rod Beck, who also
was inconsistent at times last year, more often in '99 for the Cubs to make
a return trip to the playoffs.
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