Chicago Cubs Baseball

Every Sunday during the Chicago Cubs baseball season I’ll try to issue a report card, assessing the week that was from a long distance point of view.Here’s the report card for the week of April 30 to May 6:

Weekly Record: 5-1
Season Record: 15-14

Chicago Cubs baseball came a long way in a short week. Entering the month of May the Cubs were 10-14 and battling St. Louis for the Central Division cellar.
But something happened with the turning of the calendar. Alfonso Soriano connected for his first two home runs as a Cub, Derrek Lee added his second and Chicago’s pitching - both starters and relievers - remained in form.

Most importantly, the Cubs showed they could win the close ones, an attribute that had eluded them for 23 of the first 24 games. In putting together a five-game win streak, Chicago has come back from deficits three times. And today’s 4-3 victory over Washington marked both the Cubs first extra-inning and one-run wins of the season.

Here’s this week’s Cub report card.

Weekly Grade: B+
Season Grade: B-

Starting Pitching:
Chicago starting pitching has accounted for 13 of the Cubs 15 wins. Which is exactly the type of output a manager can hope for.

Jason Marquis continues to pleasantly surprise, tossing an eight-inning, four-hit gem against Pittsburgh. With the win, Marquis joined fellow starter Rich Hill as four-game winners in this early season.

While the calendar turned to May and Carlos Zambrano picked up his third win, the Big Z still hasn’t shown a full command of his pitches. Only a Cub comeback rescued Zambrano as early inning troubles keep translating into high pitch counts and short outings.

The Cubs may have found their fifth starter this week as well. Angel Guzman was recalled to the majors today and gave a respectable outing. He left with the lead after 82 pitches, but didn’t figure in the decision.

The effort earned post-game praise by Chicago manager Lou Piniella. More importantly, it’s the type of effort the Cubs are going to need from a fifth starter if they’re to be considered serious contenders.

Weekly Grade: B+
Season Grade: B

Relief Pitching:
The up-and-down performances of the Chicago bullpen remains an area of concern. Long and middle relievers, especially the left-handed trio of Scott Eyre, Will Ohman and Neal Cotts, continue to struggle with control.

Chicago managed to escape from inopportune walks during the win streak, but one can’t count on Dame Fortune smiling forever. Piniella is fast becoming the majors latest version of “Captain Hook.” Today, for example, Piniella went through six relievers.

There have been some bright spots. Ryan Dempster looks like he’s returned to 2005 form, picking up today’s win and earning three saves the past week. Rookie Rocky Cherry also picked up his first major league win in relief.

Weekly: Grade: B
Season Grade: C

Hitting:
One knew this was going to be a good week when Soriano broke out of his month-long home run slump and connected for his first two in 2007. He also has a 15-game hitting streak and has boosted his average to .303.

Joining Soriano in this week’s hit parade was Derrek Lee, who also homered for the second time this season. Lee leads the majors with an incredible .414 batting average and has an equally eye-opening .492 on-base percentage.

It was hardly a two-man show this week. Plate patience and timely hitting both contributed to the Cubs batting success. Today’s game was a perfect example as Ryan Theriot tied the game in the ninth with a single, which was set up by Cliff Floyd’s lead-off walk.

The most positive aspect of the Cubs recent offensive production is their ability to score either in bunches or one run at a time.

Weekly Grade: B
Season Grade: C+

Base Running:
Unlike the earlier part of the season, Chicago has seemed to have corrected its uncanny ability to run itself out of an inning. Although they have been trying.

Earlier in the week Aramis Ramirez and third base coach Mike Quade collided in Friday’s 6-4 comeback. Today it appeared that a repeat may be coming when Matt Murton failed to score from second on Henry Blanco’s bloop single to right.

Could Murton have scored? Don’t know, but like the old saying, “He who hesitates is lost,” continues base path confusion may also mean a future loss.

Weekly Grade: B-
Season Grade: C

Defense:
Winning baseball consists of good pitching, timely hitting and solid defense. In putting together the win streak, the Cubs have exhibited all three traits. In the three-game sweep of the Nationals the Cubs were flawless in the field.

Oddly enough the lone blemishes on the Cubs’ defense this past week were two errors by past Gold Glove winner Cesar Izturus. The shortstop committed errors in back-to-back games and now has five on the year.

Weekly Grade: A-
Season Grade: B-

Managing:
The Cubs aren’t the only ones on a winning streak. Whether it’s pushing the right buttons (Cotts in Saturday’s game) or making the right moves (Sunday’s win), Piniella’s decisions continue to have positive impacts for the Cubs. Call it Lady Luck or Pure Genius, Pinella has his mojo working.

And personally, I think with this ensemble the best of Lou is yet to come.

Weekly Grade: A
Season Grade: B+