The Cubs were only 2-4 last week as they were outscored 21-18.  The Cubs had a lot of missed opportunites to win games last week because of their hitting.  The Cubs entered this week with a 22-26 record which had them in 2nd place in the National League Central, 5 games behind the Brewers.

22 year old switch hitting center fielder is almost ready to stick in the major leagues.  He had a rough time in his earlier audition with the Cubs as he played in 18 games and he was 11 for 49 (.224 avg, .628 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 1 homer and 4 RBIs.  But, he doesn’t have anything left to prove in the minors as he’s flat out dominating AAA pitching.  In 25 games in AAA, Pie is 37 for 97 (.381 avg, .987 OPS) with 26 runs, 2 homers, 15 RBIs and 5 stolen bases.  When the Cubs have a full-time job open in the outfield Pie will be called up and he will have a good and long major league career.

When the Cubs signed Jason Marquis to a big money contract many experts thought they were nuts!  But, the Cubs are the ones laughing right now.  In 9 starts, Marquis is 5-1 with a 2.76 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP so far this season.  In 58.2 innings, he has allowed 42 hits, walked 17 batters and he’s whiffed 29.  Marquis has been an anchor in the Cubs rotation and they hope he can keep it up.  Marquis also is a good hitter for a pitcher.  He is 6 for 25 (.240 avg, .709 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 1 homer and 4 RBIs. 

Neal Cotts has earned a trip to AAA after how bad he pitched for the Cubs this season.  In 16 games this season for the Cubs, Cotts was 0-1 with a 4.86 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP.  In 16.2 innings this season, he had allowed 15 hits, hit 3 batters and walked 9.  Those kind of numbers just won’t get it done in the major leagues.  Cotts will be converted into a starter in the minors, but don’t expect him to get called up unless he gets things turned around.

The Cubs were only 3-4 last week despite outscoring their opponents 43-39.  The Cubs wasted a lot of good hitting with very poor pitching.  The Cubs entered this week with a 20-22 record which had them in 3rd place in the National League Central, 6 games behind the Brewers.

Matt Murton needs to hit to play and he hasn’t done that lately.  In his last 4 games, Murton is only 1 for 14 (.071 avg, .204 OPS) with 1 run scored.   The Cubs need Murton to hit as they are depending on him to share time with Cliff Floyd in the outfield.

Alfonso Soriano and Cesar Izturis are both starting to hit the baseball with authority.  In his last 7 games, Soriano is 10 for 29 (.345 avg, 1.062 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 2 homers, 3 RBIs and 4 stolen bases.  The Cubs need Soriano to hit well or their offense can’t click on all cylinders.  Izturis is trying to get his starting job back from Ryan Theriot and he’s doing a good job with the bat.  In his last 5 games, Izturis is 10 for 21 (.476 avg, 1.047 OPS) with 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs.  If Izturis keeps hitting he will retain his job because he’s a good defensive shortstop.

The Cubs went 2-4 last week as they were outscored 29-21.  The Cubs wasted solid pitching because they couldn’t hit the ball last week.  The Cubs are now 17-18 which is good for a 2nd place tie with the Astros, 7 games behind the Brewers.

The Chicago Cubs were 5-1 last week as they outscored their opponents 32-20!  The Cubs hit the ball and pitched the way many experts expected them to and it paid off with an outstanding week.  The Cubs started this week in 2nd place in the National League Central with a 15-14 record, 5 games behind the Brewers.

26 year old lefty swinging Mike Fontenot has been swinging a very hot stick for the Cubs AAA team this season.  In 32 games, Fontenot is 40 for 115 (.348 avg, 1.020 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 6 homers and 24 RBIs.  Fontenot is only 5′8″, 160 pounds but he can play and the Cubs should give him a chance if they suffer any injuries in the infield.