CUBS - 8/28/02

LATEST TEAM INFO: 55-75, Fifth in National League Central.

This is the kind of information you like to hear on August 28th (from the Chicago Sun-Times):

"Even in spring training, (pitching coach) Larry (Rothschild) and I talked about how there is just something missing from this club," hitting coach Jeff Pentland said. "There is talent there, but we don't have that burning desire to win at all costs. We don't have any real, true leadership." Pentland admits he can't pinpoint exactly what the Cubs need, but he does know it's an intangible ingredient. "Part of it is chemistry, and part of it is something inside you that makes you go out and compete as hard as you can," he said. "With young players, part of the thing they have to learn is that sometimes they just try to make the club instead of going out and competing as hard as they can."

Thanks. Nice to hear. AT THE END OF AUGUST.

Rotation:

As a month-in-review:

Mark Prior has been the Cubs best SP over the last four weeks. The rookie is 2-2 in five starts with an excellent 2.52 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. The lack of run support and relief helped cost him two wins. Prior has struck out 54 while having walked seven.

Matt Clement follows close behind, also going 2-2 in five starts. He has posted a 2.38 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP, and while holding Cubs’ opponents to only a .180 BA, Clement was walked 19 batters (against 38 strikeouts) in that stretch.

Kerry Wood has had a tough month, going 0-2 in five starts with a 3.94 ERA, but just a 1.16 WHIP. Hitters have hit just .220 off of him, and his K/BB ratio has improved (47-10) since earlier in the season.

Carlos Zambrano, who started out strong once he entered the rotation, has dropped to 0-3 in five starts, saw his ERA and WHIP rise to 6.12 and 1.68, respectively. Zambrano saw hitters hit .265 off of him while he has allowed 15 walks to only having struck out 18.

Once Jon Lieber’s season ended in late July, Steve Smyth was called up from AAA and made his first start in Coors Field. ‘Nuff said. Before being sent back down, Smyth went 1-2 in four games with a 10.20 ERA and 1.53 WHIP.

Alan Benes was called up in his place this week and had has his first major-league start almost exactly one year, and his second since 1997, having pitched a scoreless 5.1 innings. He allowed five hits and four walks while having struck out six.

Bullpen:

The bullpen stunk as usual. Finally got rid of Jeff Fassero, though!

Hard to blame Antonio Alfonseca. He only pitched in 10 games this month, having gone 1-1 with just two saves, a blown save, a 7.36 ERA and a 2.18 WHIP. He just hasn’t had many meaningful appearances this season. Joe Borowski continues his amazing season. In 13 games, he has gone 1-0 with a blown save, two holds, a 1.80 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP, as batters have hit .206 off him. Juan Cruz probably had his best month of the season, having picked up a hold in six games, posted a 3.38 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP, and held opponents to a .172 BA. Kyle Farnsworth has been downright ugly since coming off the DL. He is 0-3 with a blown save in 12 games, with a 13.09 ERA, a 2.45 WHIP and a .328 BA against.

Infield:

Alex Gonzalez has been the infielders’ best hitter, having hit at a .310 pace with two HR and 13 RBI, with 13 runs scored. Fred McGriff has hit a steady .299 with 6 HR, 20 RBI and 13 RS. And Bill Mueller has hit an unimpressive .261 with one HR and eight RBI. Mark Bellhorn’s BA has dropped to .206, giving concern to his ability as an everyday player, but he has hit six HR and 11 RBI with 20 RS. Todd Hundley has been ….. Hundley (.239, three HR and five RBI).

Outfield:

Sammy Sosa had an AMAZING first half of the month and finishes with a .352 BA, 12 HR, 30 RBI and 24 RS. Moises Alou started earning his keep with a .320 BA, four HR and 12 RBI. And Corey Patterson capped the best month of the season for the OF trio with a .297 BA, four HR, 10 RBI, 12 RS and two SB.

INJURIES:

Jason Bere worked five solid innings Aug. 25 in a rehab start at Triple-A Iowa. Barring a strike, he is expected to come off the disabled list Aug. 30 and pitch against the Cards.

Lieber had Tommy John surgery August 8th. He could return during the second half of next season, but he isn't going to be 100 percent until 2004.

Sosa missed his fourth straight game Wednesday because of a strained neck muscle. He said he is receiving electronic stimulation and muscle relaxants and hopes to return to the starting lineup by Thursday.