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TechnographCubs hope to get healthy, be even better
By The Associated Press
Posted: 7/18/08 Section: Sports
CHICAGO - The Cubs figure they'll have to play even better in the second half - especially away from Wrigley Field - after forging a tie for the best record in baseball before the All-Star break.
St. Louis (four games back) and Milwaukee (five out) aren't that far behind in the NL Central, where the three best records in the league reside.
For starters, the Cubs hope to get their full team back on the field as they try to end a 100-year drought without a World Series title.
They need to get leadoff hitter Alfonso Soriano healthy. The Cubs are 24-19 with the star left fielder on the disabled list, first with a calf injury and then a broken hand from being hit with a pitch. And they are only 15-14 since his second stint began June 12. He's expected back next week.
"Soriano has been the disabled list twice. He probably missed six weeks of the first half. (Carlos) Zambrano was on the DL, we lost (Rich) Hill for the whole first half and the team still functioned and held its own," manager Lou Piniella said.
Most importantly, the Cubs need to win on the road. They've been a dominant 37-12 at Wrigley Field, but only 20-26 away from home. And they've yet to play in Milwaukee this season. They have four games at Miller Park at the end of July and then finish the season there with three games against the Brewers. Their final week also includes a four-game set against the Mets at Shea Stadium.
And Piniella knows everyone will be shooting for the Cubs, starting Friday in Houston when they launch the second half with a six-game road trip against the Astros and Diamondbacks.
"We got a tough little road right after the break. Plus I think teams are going to enjoy to slow us down some," Piniella said. "There is going to be about 65 tough games to play."
Zambrano spent time on the DL with a sore shoulder but has been sharp since his return, and left-handed relief specialist Scott Eyre also was out twice, with a sore elbow and a groin injury. Closer Kerry Wood couldn't pitch in the All-Star game because of a blister.
St. Louis (four games back) and Milwaukee (five out) aren't that far behind in the NL Central, where the three best records in the league reside.
For starters, the Cubs hope to get their full team back on the field as they try to end a 100-year drought without a World Series title.
They need to get leadoff hitter Alfonso Soriano healthy. The Cubs are 24-19 with the star left fielder on the disabled list, first with a calf injury and then a broken hand from being hit with a pitch. And they are only 15-14 since his second stint began June 12. He's expected back next week.
"Soriano has been the disabled list twice. He probably missed six weeks of the first half. (Carlos) Zambrano was on the DL, we lost (Rich) Hill for the whole first half and the team still functioned and held its own," manager Lou Piniella said.
Most importantly, the Cubs need to win on the road. They've been a dominant 37-12 at Wrigley Field, but only 20-26 away from home. And they've yet to play in Milwaukee this season. They have four games at Miller Park at the end of July and then finish the season there with three games against the Brewers. Their final week also includes a four-game set against the Mets at Shea Stadium.
And Piniella knows everyone will be shooting for the Cubs, starting Friday in Houston when they launch the second half with a six-game road trip against the Astros and Diamondbacks.
"We got a tough little road right after the break. Plus I think teams are going to enjoy to slow us down some," Piniella said. "There is going to be about 65 tough games to play."
Zambrano spent time on the DL with a sore shoulder but has been sharp since his return, and left-handed relief specialist Scott Eyre also was out twice, with a sore elbow and a groin injury. Closer Kerry Wood couldn't pitch in the All-Star game because of a blister.
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