First off, the pitching looks good. Zambrano has yet to give up a run and if he can stay anger free, he could be a very valuable asset. Dempster has only made one appearance, but it was a strong outing as well. newcomer Matt Garza was a bit rusty in his first appearance, but had several good innings the second go around. Randy Wells and Carlos Marmol are also in top form.
Second, all of the big bats have shown up so far. Ramirez, who struggled last year, appears healthy and is driving in runs. Sophomores Starlin Castro and Tyler Colvin are both doing excellent and even Fukudome is doing a great job of showing why he deserves to be a leadoff hitter. The biggest surprise, however, is Alfonso Soriano, who in recent years has watched his offensive productivity dwindle, but this year things are so far, so good for the Cubs' left fielder.
It is, however, just Spring Training, but if this production can continue into the early months of the season, I honestly feel that this Cubs team can compete. As long as Sean Marshall stays as dominant as he has been and Kerry Wood stays healthy, the bullpen has the possibility to be along the lines of last year's San Diego bullpen squad, or even the Cubs bullpen of the last month of the 2010 season.
The Cubs may not be on anybody's list to take the NL Central this year, but nobody expected the Reds to take it last year, or for the Giants to go all the way. In fact, since when has baseball been so predictable? This may not be the Cubs' year, but if the Cubs ever do go to the world series again, it seems like it would come when it is least expected. I think San Francisco would agree with that.
