SteveWellmer

Here are some thoughts on the cubs.

Castro is going to be better defensively. Barney is already as good as they come defensively. So up the middle they are going to be solid defensively.

problem #1: they don't have a 3rd baseman.

problem #2: they have soriano

Fujikawa in relief is solid. Jackson is a capable #2/3.

I think Schierholtz and Hairston platooning in OF will give a bump to offensive production. What I think is being factored into the cubs projections is a bump in Rizzo's production. Expect about the same or a little more from Castro offensively and a slight bump down in production for soriano. problem is, he is the only pop they have and it isn't much. a third baseman with some pop, a cleanup hitter not named soriano and an ace is what is keeping them from getting to 80+ wins.

I don't think 75-87 is too much of a stretch for this team in 2013. When I look at Fujikawa, an improved Castro at defense, a short leash on Marmol, the addition of Jackson and a very, very much improved bat of Rizzo.

there is something about these west coast swings....Pacers did the same thing. One of hte best defensive teams but go out West and its impossible to maintain. The Pacers are still playing much faster and not as good as defense and its been a week or so. Expect the bulls to keep this pace before they get back east for a week and a half or so to let it work itself out

for what? the game isn't over hotshot

I can't say I follow the lakers closely enough to know if this is usual for him. Is it? bonnell tweeted this before start of 2h and it perked my interest....

Quote Originally Posted by andarmac99:

Wolf - What do you make of the reports going around earlier in the week about how PO'd some Heat players were at having to miss most, if not all, of the Super Bowl?

Apparently the Heat plane has no TV or Wi-Fi and with a game at home tomorrow they can't stay to watch the game in Toronto. Any concerns they may just want to get the game over with as quickly as possible to make it back to South Beach for the 4th quarter?


GL buddy.

FWIW the heat stayed in toronto after their game to watch super bowl and got back to miami at 3 this morning