What is the difference between the cubs this year compared to last year???

Question

Last year everyone was excited & talking world series & Fonz Soriano was a strikeout machine& no one in the roster hit or pitched great & the cubs got swept by the diamondbacks, what the heck are they gonna do in the playoffs this year, maybe at least win one game?

Answer 1

Their offensive lineup is lethal. There isn't a guy who cannot hit. The new additions to the team like Jim Edmonds, Kosuke Fukudome, Soto. All great hitters and not to mention great defensive players. This team is different all around from last year.  

Answer 2

Yes that's true and The Brewers and Angels seem to be two other Teams like the Cubs have change Big time This Year, If the Cubs can beat them in October then they will be Champions If Not then We can Still Brag about the Curse.

Answer 3

They got better pitching with Rich Harden and Ryan Dempster.

Answer 4

The biggest difference is that they are getting good starting pitching and are not having to rely on the bullpen as much as last year, their hitting has been solid all season and the Soto behind the plate has been a blessing for them!  They could win at least one game!

Answer 5

i think the cubs are going to make the world series this year...the major difference in this team is the improved and deeper pitching staff, particularly in the bullpen...everyone in that bullpen has been extremely effective for the most part, and this year's rotation is deeper with the addition of rich harden and the resurgence of ryan dempster

Answer 6

Deeper pitching.  Last year Marquis was a number 3 starter, this year he is number 5, and that's not because he is pitching worse, it's because of Harden and Dempster pitching so well.  Also in the bullpen they seem to be more effective this year.  Marmol, Wood, and Samardzija are as potent 1-2-3 punch as any out there.

Better Defense.  The addition of the Edmonds/Johnson in center have already provided many highlights.  Fukodome in right has been solid.  The more Theriot and DeRosa play together the better they get.  Ramirez and Lee on the corners is almost as good as it gets.  Soto is

playing and hitting like a veteran behind the plate.

The hitting has been there for a few years, the thing is with this year is you never know who will be the hero from day to day.  Reed Johnson, Mike Fontenot, Daryle Ward, Ronny Cedeno and Henry Blanco have all contributed big time off the bench.  That's as deep of a bench as they've had in a while.  When Lou needs to rest a starter he can have confidence he's got a solid backup.  Oh yeah, don't leave out Lou, he's a top notch manager with a good staff behind him.

Answer 7

PITCHING.

they moved dempster to the rotation and stopped relying on prior and wood to start. They now have a solid bullpen and awesome starters. Thats the key to a world series team.

Answer 8

One word.... confidence.  

Answer 9

they are a year older and they are knocking on the door for another run at the play-offs.  :)

Answer 10

They will never make it to the NLCS.

They are still the same ole lowly Cubs.