Is It Too Early to Think About a Cubs - Sox World Series?
Short answer: Yes. Long Answer follows:
As this great image created by fellow Cub fan Guano illustrates so well, Derrek Lee and the Chicago Cubs are on FIRE! Derrek is bashing the ball and off to one of his typical hot starts. What’s very encouraging is that unlike last season he has his power swing cooking this April. Last year he hit seven home runs the ENTIRE first half of the season. It’s gotta be the beard!
What’s got me feeling extra delusional right now is the way the Cubs are playing lately. Every game I say to whomever I’m watching the game with “Someone has replaced the Cubs with a real baseball team”. Seriously, they are NOT playing Cubs baseball. They’re playing GOOD baseball.
In tonight’s game for instance they loaded the bases with no outs at a point where it was critical they needed insurance runs. So what did they do? Mark DeRosa struck out. Geovany Soto popped out. Typical Cubs baseball, right? So that leaves it up to backup shortstop Ronny Cedeno. What does Cedeno do? He swings at the first pitch, low and outside and pops it up for the third out. BUT WAIT! No he didn’t. He saw several pitches, ran up the count, fouled off the “pitchers” pitches and waited for one that he could drive for solid base hit that drove in two runs.
This is yet another instance of the Cubs playing like a real team. They’re getting timely hits. They’re showing patience at the plate. They’re stealing. They’re bunting. They’re getting sacrifice flies. They’re advancing runners. They’re playing good defense. Everyone is contributing in the lineup and on the bench. WTF?! No really, what’s going on? Is this what happens when you listen to Lou Pinella’s Daily Affirmation?
Seriously though, they are playing good. I believe you can give the credit to Lou Pinella for getting rid of some excess baggage, installing the Cubbie Swagger and teaching this team how to win.
The more they win the more winning seems natural.
What’s going on here? I’m feeling Delusional and I’ve only had one Old Style Fan Can today.
Look for me on TV at tomorrows game. I’ll look just like I always do. My presence in the stands will get Ted Lilly finally pitching like our number two. Go CUBS!!!
Oh, I didn’t just pull this post title outta thin air, it was inspired by a story on mlb.com about how both teams in Chicago are off to quick first place starts. (Solid starts conjure all-Chicago dreams) I’m not actually delusional enough to think just because the Cubs are in first place in April means they’ll be in the world series in October. In fact I’m more inclined to believe the opposite. And I’m especially am not crazy enough to think they’d be playing the Sox. Sorry Sox, you’re one and done. But I will admit it would be my the fulfillment of my forefathers dreams to see the Cubs destroy you in the World Series.