The Cubs lead the NL in runs, hits, doubles, RBI, on base %, batting average, OPS, and pitches seen. They are 2nd in total bases and walks, and 3rd in slugging % and extra base hits. Is there a major batting category I've missed that the Cubs aren't top 3 in? Ah - HR, which the Cubs are 4th in with 70. Bottom line, the Cubs offense is one of the best in the league, probably the best.
Lou Piniella's club has been producing runs like a factory this season, and it shows not only in the team stats, but also in each player's numbers. In fact, quite a few Cubs are on pace for 100+ RBI seasons:
Alfonso Soriano: On pace for 132 RBI. Cub haters can criticize him as a leadoff man all they want, but seriously, when was the last time a leadoff man was knocking in runs like Soriano is? No one in the game can give his team a 1-0 lead on the first pitch of the game better than Soriano.
Derrek Lee: On pace for 100 RBI, and that is with his recent struggles. When he gets it going again, watch out, the only better 1B in the game is Albert Pujols.
Aramis Ramirez: On pace for 113 RBI, which would be his 3rd year in a row with 100+. Also, he is on pace for 94 walks, which would shatter his career high, and he should get to last year's walk total before the All-Star break. This is in addition to leading the Cubs in RBI and OPS.
Geovany Soto: On pace for 108 RBI. The only catcher since 2004 to have 100 RBIs in a season is Victor Martinez
The Cubs offense has been firing on all cylinders all season, even Mark DeRosa is on pace for 93 RBI, add great OBP guys like Kosuke Fukudome and Ryan Theriot to the mix, and you have one hell of a lineup!
|
|