Despite his 5.48 ERA, Ryan Dempster continues to prove that his terrible April (9.58 ERA) was just an aberration, and that he should still be considered one of the better pitchers in the NL Central.Dempster's xFIP of 3.31 is the best of his career, and his peripheral numbers are similar to his 2008 to 2010 numbers (3.11 BB/9 and 8.48 K/9). Dempster ran into trouble in April because he allowed a staggering nine home runs in 31.1 innings pitched, a 23.7 percent HR/FB ratio. The home run ratio, along with a high BABIP of .320 and a below-average strand rate of 66.8 ...
CHICAGO CUBS
Last Year: 75-87, 5th in NL Central
Manager: Mike Quade
PROJECTED LINEUP
C- Geovany Soto (R)
1B- Carlos Pena (L)
2B- Darwin Barney (R)
3B- Aramis Ramirez (R)
SS- Starlin Castro (R)
LF- Alfonso Soriano (R)
CF- Marlon Byrd (R)
RF- Kouske Fukodome (L)
Generating offense was a problem for the Cubs last season. Aramis Ramirez, who really struggled in 2010, needs to have a better season after his OBP dipped below .300 in 2010. He still produces in terms of power, but the Cubs will need a line of .280/.350/.500 in order to contend.
Carlos Pena was brought in to hit behind Ramirez and provide some much needed left-handed power. ...
