Timely hitting key for the Chicago Cubs - MLB News
The Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum stated on Tuesday, March 27, that timely hitting will enable the team to have runs in the coming season. Sveum was commenting on the Opening Day game scheduled for April 5 against the Washington Nationals.
The game against the Nationals will be played at Wrigley Field. While the batting lineup is yet to be completely named as the Cubs consider the 25-man roster for the awaited game, veteran right-hander Ryan Dempster has already been slated to start for the club.
Sveum, nonetheless, has a few things to say about hitting.
"We have a nice starting staff," the Cubs manager said on Tuesday. "If we get timely hitting and our two corner guys live up to their capabilities, no less or no more, you have a chance to score runs. The timely hitting is the biggest thing."
But it is manifestly clear how confident Dale Sveum is about the club’s pitching.
"Predictions and odds are what they are," Sveum said. "The bottom line is, when you have starting pitching like we do, you can do a lot of things if other people live up to half of their expectations during the season-- and you catch the ball and you're getting timely hitting.”
Nonetheless, as Dale Sveum puts it, the key for the team’s offence would be the timely hitting. It will be interesting to note that so far there has not been much of comment as to whether the Cubs are a favourite in the National League Central.
That is understandable given the presence of other strong and resourceful teams. However, the Cubs have undergone some palpably good and radical changes in the recent past. From the frontline office to the acquisition of players, developments are positive for the Cubs.
It will be of immense importance for the Cubs to build up a strong offence for the ability to remain afloat. If pitching goes to their advantage with some big names in the rotation and bullpen, the offence too has to live up to the expectations for becoming a favourite contender for NLCS this season.
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