CUBS - 5/22/02

LATEST TEAM INFO (by Jeff Brown): 14-27, Fifth in National League Central.

Three weeks ago, May 2nd looked like a turning point for the Chicago Cubs as they won five-of-six games to turn around a pitiful month of April.

What wasn't known at that time was that "turning point" was actually a U-turn. Sunday's extra-inning 5-4 victory at Milwaukee ended a horrid nine-game losing streak that saw the Cubs shut out once and held to one run twice while averaging just 2.5 runs per game over the last 10 games.

Sammy Sosa (.324), who ended an 0-for-10 streak Sunday and hasn't had an RBI in the previous 10 games, and Patterson (.322) are the offense for the Cubs. The offense is SO bad, that Jon Lieber is the team's third leading hitter (.278) over 12 other position players.

In addition to that, after a great April by the starting pitching staff, Kerry Wood is the only starter with an ERA under 4.50 for the month of May as Lieber has joined Jason Bere, Matt Clement and Juan Cruz under the heading of undependable. Not to put even more pressure on him, but it will be good to see Mark Prior in the rotation this week.

Rotation:

Kerry Wood has been phenomenal through the month of May. Wood has gone 2-1 in four appearances with a 2.25 ERA and a WHIP of 0.86. After having great offensive support in his first two appearances of the month (14 runs), Wood has only received five runs to back his steady performances in his last two appearances.

Jon Lieber, who was amazing in April, with a 1.73 ERA and .87 WHIP, has struggled mightily in May, as his ERA has ballooned to 5.00, as did his WHIP (1.30). After a strong outing on May 1st resulted in a loss, Lieber allowed 11 hits and five ER in seven IP in a no-decision. Lieber followed that with another five-ER outing, this time in six innings on eight hits and a walk as he earned the loss. The righthander did bounce back somewhat on Saturday, allowing one earned run on eight hits in six IP, but two unearned runs, and no offensive support, has saddled Lieber with three losses in four appearances this month.

Matt Clement bounced back from the bruised bicep to notch a fine good 1.19 WHIP, but a 4.50 ERA. After a no-decision at Los Angeles when the injury knocked him out of the game, Clement's next performance was a struggle, as he allowed four runs on five hits and four walks in six IP in another no-decision. Clement picked up a loss in last start, having gone six innings and allowed six hits, three walks and four runs.

Jason Bere has looked just pitiful this month as he has chalked up three losses in three appearances, posting a 1.78 WHIP and a 6.06 ERA, while the stress is showing on the face, and in the performance, of young Juan Cruz , as he ran up a 2.21 WHIP and a 7.71 ERA.

Bullpen:

The story's not much better in the bullpen. Antonio Alfonseca has pitched well all season. He has made six appearances this month, but only one in a save situation, posting a 1.20 WHIP and a 1.35 ERA.

Joe Borowski continues to pitch strong, with a win, loss and a hold, a 0.92 WHIP and 1.50 ERA in nine May appearances. Even Jeff Fassero has shown some life. He was 0-1 with a hold in eight appearances while holding his ratio down to 0.50 and ERA to 1.12.

But it's the trio of Ron Mahay, Pat Mahomes and Scott Chiasson and has proven deadly for the bullpen this month. The trio is 0-2 in 13 appearances with a 12.02 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.

Infield:

Offensively, the infield, as a whole, has stunk it up this month, hitting a combined .131 for the month of May. The best the infield can do -- Fred McGriff, .233 BA, 3 HR and a nice 14 RBI. Bobby Hill has been up about 10 days, but is not over the Mendoza line yet. The hit leader of the infield in April, Alex Gonzalez, is on the DL with a pulled hamstring. It's just bad.

Outfield:

Corey Patterson has proven to be the Cubs' most consistent player so far this season. Patterson has hit .306 for the month and is still perfect on the basepaths (10-for-10 on the year)

Sammy Sosa had increased his BA from .297 to .345 on the road trip out west at the first of the month, but his average has dipped to .324 over the last two weeks. He also not only had a home run since May 10th, he hasn't driven in a run, either.

And Moises Alou hasn't gotten started, having hit .175 for the month, with just 1 HR and four RBI.

INJURIES (Jeff Brown):

Tom Gordon, Todd Hundley and Kyle Farnsworth -- Nothing new. All three are still in rehab in Arizona.

Alex Gonzalez -- On the 15-day DL (retroactive to May 10th) with a hamstring pull.

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE (Jacob De Young) :

Cubs slowly look as if they are going to give their young kids a shot.

There has been a lot of talk about dumping Don Baylor. He has a reputation of being bad with young players (lately with former Cub starter Ruben Quevedo and current OF Corey Patterson). Names such as Buck Showalter have been mentioned.

Mark Prior is set to start on Wednesday the 22nd. He will help you in K's and WHIP, but won't get much else.

There have been a lot of trade rumors going around. Some involve players such as Scott Rolen and many catchers. The rumor that makes the most since to me is Javy Lopez for a few Minor Leaguers. Although Javy isn't young he is a proven catcher which the Cubs need, but most importantly can handle young pitchers. The Cubs have plenty of young starters and Todd Hundley won't do a good job and Joe Girardi won't be around much longer. Also, from what I hear, the Braves are very high on Henry Blanco so this is a trade that could happen.

ON THE FARM (Jacob De Young):

Class AAA Iowa

Hee Seop Choi (1B) - He leads the team with 9 homers and 29 RBI. He isthe only one of the 'big 3' (Prior, Hill, and Choi) left in the Minors. And if the Cubs keep losing he'll be up sooner than later.

Chris Gissel (SP)- He is a strikeout pitcher. He leads the club with 49 K's. His ERA isn't too hot, but with the revolving door that is the Cub bullpen he may get a call up. He will be looked at for long/middle releif. You could possibly get a few holds from him.

Ivanon Coffie (SS)- He isn't a power hitter. But if given the chance could help out with a decent batting average. If Delino DeSheilds gets hurt, Coffie could get the callup.

Class AA West Tennessee

Dave Kelton (3B/1B) - He was experimented with at 1B. This will eventually probably be a permanent move. He has made a few errors but his offense has kept up. It's looking like the organization will have to choose between Kelton and Choi. Can you say Grace or Palmeiro?

Nic Jackson (OF) - The center fielder is hitting with 3 homers and 20 RBI. He looks to be the next Cub left fielder (if they don't move Patterson to left). He has put up good stolen base numbers with 8 on the year. He is still a year or two away, but when he does come up expect a Patterson-like slump for a year or two.

Ryan Gripp (3B) - Ryan is as proven a run producer as anybody in the Cubs’ minor league system. He is only hittin a measly .220 this year. But he is part of the reason Kelton might move to 1B. Give him a couple years and a chance and he could become one of the better Cub players.

QUICK VIEW (Jeff Brown):

HOT:

Kerry Wood
Corey Patterson

NOT:

The rest of the offense
The rest of the pitching staff