Yeah, baseball season. You've probably been reading all sort of previews from the experts, but they are not half as entertaining as the kool-aid induced thoughts from the fans who love their teams the most. Over the next month you'll be previewing the MLB, so let me know if you'd like to contribute. Up first, my beloved Cubbies.

Expectations Well, it's only been 100 years. I try not to get my expectations out of whack like most of my fellow Cubbie fan faithful, but it's probably not too much to ask that the stars align once a century. Realistically, assuming the team isn't mired with numerous injuries anything less than the NLCS would be a disappointment. All I really hope for is that I still have a reason to care about baseball in late September because it's becoming obvious the Cubs will have a higher score per game than the Bears.

What's New in 2008?
Added: Kosuke Fukudome
Departed: Jacque Jones

Reasons to be optimistic Kosuke Fukudome greatly improves two of the biggest weakness from last season: will get on base in front of Lee/Ramirez, and a very good defensive right fielder. Jacque Jones was not. If Fukudome's first few spring games are any indication, he's very much living up to the "on-base machine/Dusty Baker nightmare" moniker that he's been given. He also got an arm capable of throwing out a guy at third instead of one that makes it to second base on the third bounce.

Wrigleyville is also quite joyous that Ryan F-ing Dempster is no longer closing. I'm not sure whether it's worth cheering that he's likely the #4 starter but we'll over look that for now. I feel quite comfortable with a Carlos Marmol, Kerry Wood and Bob Howry back end to the bullpen. That'll get it done most of the time.

Carlos Zambrano didn't show up fat after signing his phat contract. This was my biggest concern in re-signing Big Z. This could mean absolutely nothing, but I'm choosing to view his apparent improved physical condition as a huge plus.

The likelihood that Brian Roberts ends up on the North Side by the end of this week. I heart Mark DeRosa, but Roberts is a big improvement strictly in terms of providing Lou Piniella an even better reason not to bat Alfonso Soriano 1st, beside the more logical reason that he's not a good leadoff hitter.

Reasons I'll still be drowning my sorrows in a pool of Old Style They're the Cubs. Do I need to elaborate?

Something will go wrong this year and I'm banking on pitching injuries since last year was shocking devoid of serious arm ailments. Amazing what happens when Dusty leaves. Whether it's Demspter, Lilly or one of the big three closing candidates, I'm banking on somebody going down for an extended period of time.

Lou seems hellbent on making Soriano the leadoff man. I hate this. There are two people who think this is a good idea and you can easily figure out who those are. Alfonso is a fastball hitter and any team with a competent pitching staff has figured this out. He led the team with 130 strikeouts and only sported a .337 OBP. That was directly proportional to D-Lee's huge decline in RBIs. It seems the only way this is fixed is with a Brian Roberts acquisition.

Ted Lilly's poise. His 4th grade meltdown during the NLDS is forever stained in my memory. I'm not expecting much more out of his this year.

The Felix Pie Quandary You've been hearing about this prospect forever whether you are a Cubs fan or not and his rookie season very much did not live up to expectations. If the North Siders were to somehow finds themselves into an NLCS it would be the result of Pie providing any sort of productivity at the plate. I'm content with throwing him into the 8-spot and just getting great defense from him but that's not going to be enough.

Likely Lineup/Rotation
A Soriano, CF
R Theriot, SS
K Fukudome, RF
D Lee, 1B
A Ramirez, 3B
G Soto, C
M DeRosa, 2B
F Pie, CF

C Zambrano
T Lilly
R Dempster
R Hill
J Lieber
Long - K Hart
C Marmol
K Wood
B Howry

Five Bold Predictions
1. Brian Roberts is acquired, bats leadoff and trails only Jimmy Rollins in runs scored
2. Carlos Zambrano wins the Cy Young with 22 wins, near 2.50 ERA and only 3 meltdowns
3. Rich Hill surpasses 15 wins
4. Geovany Soto bests .285 avg and 80 RBI
5. NL Champs

Official Kool-Aided Prediction
89 wins
NL Central Champs
National League Champs
Lose to Tigers in World Series