CUBS - 4/22/02

LATEST TEAM INFO: 6-11, Sixth in National League Central.

The difference in April, 2001, and April, 2002 is quite stark and worrisome for the fans of the Northsiders.

Last season, through 17 games, the Cubs were 12-5 and on their way to a 15-9 April. During last April, the Cubs won five-of-seven one-run ball games; this month, Chicago is winless in six one-run games. This 6-11 start actually began during the final two months of 2001, as the Cubs finished 32-42 amid inconsistent play and key injuries.

Just as last season, the Cubs' pitching has been solid - stellar at times. But the hitting, while just passable last April, is anemic this year, and couldn't be more evident as in a comparison of road and home performance. On the road this season, the Cubs are 4-5 and are averaging 5.2 runs per game while batting .296 (95-for-321). At home, Chicago is 2-6 and are averaging 2.1 runs per game while batting just .202 (52-for-258) The paltry home performance cannot be blamed on the pitching, as they have maintained a 2.50 team ERA (and 1.10 team WHIP), but seven of the 27 runs allowed were unearned. On the road, thanks to a horrible evening in Montreal, the Cubs pitchers' ERA is 4.46 (1.43 team WHIP) and, similar to what is happening at home, eight of the 45 runs allowed are unearned. Bottom line: Start hitting at home, pitching on the road and better defense all around.

Rotation:
The feeling around Wrigley is that some people are just waiting for the starting pitching to spring a leak, but it hasn't happened.

Jon Lieber has been the Cubs most consistent starter, although he missed his last start due to elbow tenderness as a precautionary measure. Lieber is scheduled to make his next start on Thursday (4-25). He is off to a 2-0 start, is ranked 10th in ERA (2.00) and sixth in WHIP (0.89). He began the season as he started last year, with an uncanny command of his pitches, having walked only two batters in 18 innings. His elbow problem does not appear serious, so once back, he should continue to dominate.

Kerry Wood is continuing his Jekyll and Hyde routine during his young Cub career. He is 2-1 on the season with an ERA of 2.38 and has 28 K in 22.2 IP. But Wood has been going from ringing up a string of Ks to loading the bases off hits and walks. His WHIP is 1.46 as he has allowed more walks (17) than hits (16). But his stuff is strong and still (sometimes) accurate and nasty. He just needs to cut the walks to at least half and his entire game will begin to flourish.

Juan Cruz has been Mr. Bad Luck for the Northsiders, as the combination of his record (0-4) and ERA (2.14) indicates. The youngster can pitch, but of the 15 runs he has allowed, only five are earned, and eight of the team's 13 non-pitcher errors have occurred with Cruz on the mound. Cruz has had trouble handling the extra batters, as his 1.48 WHIP indicates. If Cruz gets some help behind him, he will have a very good season. His stuff is that good.

Jason Bere was the victim of the horrendous bashing the Cubs staff took April 17th, in a 15-8 loss to the Expos. Bere allowed eight hits, two walks and seven runs in 2 2/3 IP. But outside of that performance, Bere is 1-1 with a 2.13 ERA and a WHIP of 0.86 and was looking great. Let's just hope that the Montreal performance was just an aberration.

The surprise on the staff, on the team and maybe the best pickup in Andy MacPhail's tenure with the Cubs has been Matt Clement. The righthander had three non-descript seasons with San Diego after being a highly touted prospect. Last season, he continued his struggles with the Marlins, wearing out due to an inflammation to his liver, and left two starts with tightness in his forearm. But for the Cubs, he has been nothing but stellar. Clement's record is just 1-2 with a 3.72 ERA, but he has allowed just three walks in 19.1 IP while he's fourth in the league in strikeouts with 30. Not bad for an apparent throw-in in the Antonio Alfonseca trade.

Bullpen:
The bullpen has had some rocky times, but it also hasn't been called on consistently, especially with the game on the line. The team ERA is 4.47 and WHIP is 1.27 - some of which can also be blamed on that night in Montreal.

Antonio Alfonseca has done very well, having converted all three save opportunities, while maintaining a 3.86 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.

A big loss to the Cub bullpen was to set-up man Kyle Farnsworth, who broke his foot while warming up in the bullpen.

Jeff Fassero was expected to step up into the set-up role, but has been a disaster, as his 0-2 record, 7.88 ERA and 1.75 WHIP can attest.

The big surprise has been the performance of Joe Borowski, who has led the Cubs in appearances (10). In 12.2 IP, Borowski has an ERA of 2.13 and a WHIP of 0.87 and has proven to be an invaluable presence in the Chicago pen.

After starting the season in the minors, Carlos Zambrano has done well in his return to the Cubs, having allowed just one run in 5.1 IP.

Jesus Sanchez and Donovan Osborne have both been brilliant and suspect and need to gain some consistency.

Infield:
The surprise of the Cub infield is shortstop Alex Gonzalez. A free agent from Toronto, Gonzalez has a .317 BA and eight RBI and has shown has great bat control. While he has yet to go yard, having averaged 16 HR the last two seasons, Gonzalez should be able to at least match that once summer heats things up. In the field, Gonzalez has committed only one error in 56 chances - greatly improving the SS spot.

Third base is still awaiting the arrival of Bill Mueller, who is still rehabbing from his knee injury suffered last season. Newcomers Chris Stynes and Mark Bellhorn have shared duties at the hot corner. Stynes is hitting an even .300 while having struck out only three times in 43 plate appearances, and is hitting .400 with runners in scoring position. Bellhorn, known more for his glove than his bat, is hitting .278 with two HR and five RBI in spot duty (he has also appeared at 2B and 1B already this season).

Delino DeShields, at second base, occupies the lead-off spot in the batting order. He's popped a pair of homers and stole four bases while hitting at a .250 pace. In the field, DeShields has committed only three errors in 73 chances. But his OBP is a pitiful .297.

First baseman Fred McGriff is off to a slow start in the clean-up spot, hitting just .226 with one HR and six RBI.

The catching duties are up in the air with Todd Hundley's thumb injury. Hundley has sat out for two periods of the season with a bruised and dislocated thumb. Sharing the duties in the meantime are Joe Girardi (.172 and nursing a sore ankle) and Robert Machado (.333). Neither have much in the way of fantasy value.

Outfield:
To label Corey Patterson's performance thus far a surprise, or that it was expected, are not fair to the player. Let's just say that that it looks like the trips to AAA may finally be over for the centerfielder. Patterson has a respectable .290 batting average, including a solid .385 with runners in scoring position. While he has yet to hit the long ball (we can wait), he has hit the gaps for three doubles and a pair of triples. He has walked (nine) almost as many times as he has struck out (10) and he has stolen six bases from the No. 2 spot in the line-up. The poise is beginning to show and this may be Corey's year to say, "I've made it."

After a slow start, Sammy Sosa is back to being Sammy -- .297 BA, a pair of doubles and triples to go with six HR and nine RBI. He has walked 12 times (and struck out 15). A glaring problem for Sosa thus far is his .118 batting average with runners in scoring position - second-worst among the starters.

But the biggest disappointment is the continuing fragile nature of newly-acquired leftfielder Moises Alou. He has played only three games and has just one hit in 10 at-bats due to, first, a calf injury he's had each of the last three seasons, and, recently, a sore back from two diving catches on the hard turf in Montreal. This, unfortunately, should be what is expected from Alou. After having played 150 games in 1997 and 159 in 1998, Alou played in only 126 in 2000 and 136 in 2001. Let's just hope, in the end, he can produce the 30+ HR, 115+ RBI he's averaged the last three seasons, and not become another Rondell White. Alou is expected back in the line-up on Tuesday.

Getting most of the time in left field is Roosevelt Brown, who is off to a very slow start. But after managing to hit .152 early on, over the last three games, Brown has gone 4-for-10 with two HR and three RBI to increase his average to .209. Here's to hoping this is a sign of things to come.

RUMOR MILL:

Of course, Don Baylor is feeling the heat of the slump from the last two months of last season and these first three weeks. But he says he's not concerned - he's only concerned with the his team, not his job. Well, another month or two of this, his thoughts may change.

Don't expect that the Cubs will go the trade route for bullpen help. They will depend on Scott Chiasson and Courtney Duncan from AAA if necessary.

INJURIES:

Tom Gordon - Gordon's right shoulder is healing well enough that he should start some light throwing this week. His rehab schedule has him looking for a June return to the Cubs. In what capacity is unknown.

Bill Mueller - Mueller is playing in some simulated games in extended spring training in Arizona. After that, he will have some time in the minors, all toward a return to the Cubs in early-to-mid May.

Todd Hundley - Hundley's injured thumb has limited him to pinch-hitting duty for a while.

Kyle Farnsworth - With freak injury number one, Farnsworth broke his foot on the mound in the bullpen. He is wearing a protective boot and is throwing from his knees to keep his arm limber. Target date of return is late May.

Joe Girardi - With freak injury number two, Girardi stepped on a ball during warm-ups and sprained his ankle. He is day-to-day.

ON THE FARM:

Class AAA Iowa -
Bobby Hill (2B) - The Cubs would like to consider bringing up Hill, who battled for the second-base job with DeShields until the final week of spring training. But Hill is off to an even worse start due to battling a virus, hitting only .167. He is hitting .400 (6-for-15) with seven runs scored and two SB in his last five games, however. The Cubs would like for Hill to have some success at AAA before bringing him up.

Hee Seop Choi (1B) - The young Korean first baseman is off to a slow start due to getting to Iowa four days late due being held at spring training due to a tight hamstring, hitting just .227, but has hit three HR and driven in 10 RBI, including a game-winner on Sunday night.

Chris Gissell (SP) - The righthander has started off the season with a 3-0 record, a 3.00 ERA and a WHIP of 1.28.

Class AA West Tennessee -
You may have heard of a guy named Mark Prior. Supposed to be fairly good. One thing's for sure - he proved himself human Monday night. After starting the season with a perfect 3-0 record, Prior suffered his first professional loss Monday. Despite the set-back, Prior's numbers are still impressive - 3-1, 1.68 ERA, 0.99 WHIP. Plans are for Prior to get one or two more AA starts before the move to AAA. Don't expect to see Prior in the majors until something drastic happens to the Cubs' starting rotation, because they are quite happy with the staff's performance, and want Prior to face as many experienced bats as possible in AAA.

David Kelton (3B) - Kelton is one of the teams leading hitters, batting .281. The third baseman has played in nine games this season, where he has hit three doubles, a triple and a home run, driving in three.

Class A Daytona
Ray Sadler (CF) - Sadler leads the Cubs in hitting with a .338 batting average. Sadler has two doubles, a triple and three home runs for the Cubs. The centerfielder has four RBI and has stolen three bases.

Jason DuBois (RF) - DuBois leads the Cubs with 14 RBI. The rightfielder is hitting at a .318 clip with four doubles, a triple and two homers.

QUICK VIEW:

Add:

Matt Clement - With 30 Ks in three starts, Clement warrants a spot in almost any lineup.

Juan Cruz - If your league doesn't count losses, and your WHIP can take a little hit until the defense comes around, you'll be glad you have him.

Alex Gonzalez - If defense matters in your lead, Gonzalez can help with those numbers as well as at the plate.

Corey Patterson - When will Corey explode? Who knows, but he'd make a solid fourth OF on most teams.

Roosevelt Brown - In deep or NL-only leagues, Brown may become more of a factor fantasy-wise, depending on his improvement, and Alou's availability.

Robert Machado - Same for Machado - as long as Girardi is day-to-day and Hundley's pinch-hitting, he could be good for a spot start.

Antonio Alfonseca - Just in case you have forgotten.

Hold:

Jason Bere, Joe Borowski, Jon Lieber, Donovan Osborne, Jesus Sanchez, Kerry Wood, Carlos Zambrano, Joe Girardi, Mark Bellhorn, Delino DeShields, Fred McGriff, Chris Stynes, Augie Ojeda, Darren Lewis, Sammy Sosa, Moises Alou

Drop:

Jeff Fassero - You don't want him anywhere near your starting line-up.

Todd Hundley - Not much use as a pinch hitter.