CHICAGO SPORTS BLOG - PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT TO CAMP
BASEBALL TALK IS BACK!
Yes baseball fans the season has arrived and although we have to endure the spring training rhetoric, interviews, injuries and rumors of possible deals, opening day will be here sooner than we think. In six weeks, the Cubs and White Sox will embark on their 2008 regular seasons with much optimism. That is to say, it's very possible that the Cubs and Sox will make postseason play a reality.
The White Sox have made some recent moves that increase their chances to compete in a tough division. Sure, everybody is earmarking Cleveland and Detroit to be frontrunners but I think the Sox can make it a three-way race for the entire year. I'm concerned about the loss of Jon Garland but if Mark Buehrle can be a legitimate ace then the Sox should be okay. Offensively, they can score runs with any team in the American League and I really like the addition of Nick Swisher and Orlando Cabrera. Sox GM, Kenny Williams also went out and added two good arms to the bullpen, which was the Sox Achilles heel last year.
On the North side, the Cubs benefit from a rather weak division although the Milwaukee Brewers will be a frontrunner and you can never underestimate the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs amidst continuing discussion of being sold did what they had to do in the off-season to make the team competitive not only for the regular season but also for the playoffs. The addition of Fukodome in the outfield helps the team both offensively and defensively. The deep bullpen has fans at ease with a starting staff that will have some question marks at the fourth and fifth spots of the starting rotation. The Cub lineup figures to be productive and with manager, Lou Piniella, in his second year as skipper, the team figures to know from the first pitch what is expected and the goals in mind.
It should be a terrific year for Chicago baseball and with the advent of the season it should bring some better weather too! Please!
JEFF ARDITO & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
