The Cubs and the Astros

This should be a short post, because there isn't much to write about these two clubs. Basically they are doomed for 2013. Sorry in advance to all the Cubs and Astros fans, but these two teams have a snowball's chance in hell to even be in competition for a playoff spot let alone a winning season.

The Cubs are a franchise with a very rich fan base and they really want to win every year, but everyone knows about their cursed franchise. The Cubs have a bright future with a great farm system. I think many prospects have the chance to make it to the big league team out of spring training. Here is how their lineup should look:

1. L. DeJesus CF 106 OPS+
2. R. Castro SS    105 OPS+
3. L. Rizzo 1B      119 OPS+
4. R. Soriano LF  121 OPS+
5. R. Hairston RF 117 OPS+
6. S. Navarro C    96 OPS+
7. R. Barney 2B    79 OPS+
8. R. Vitters 3B    .869 OPS in AAA

The lineup for the cubs isn't bad but the pitching isn't any better. The Cubs traded away Ryan Dempster and Paul Maholm. They did sign Edwin Jackson to a deal this off season.

1. R. Jeff Samardzija 3.81 ERA
2. R. Edwin Jackson 4.03 ERA
3. R. Matt Garza 3.91 ERA
4. R. Carlos Villanueva 4.16 ERA
5. R. Travis Wood 4.27 ERA

Long time beloved Cubs pitcher, Kerry Wood retired in the middle of the 2012 season and left the bullpen in even more of a mess. Basically the bullpen is still a mess for the 2013 season, and a decision for Carlos Marmol has to be made. In order for him to get a save he needs to walk the entire ballpark first. Can the Cubs keep putting that much on a win?

I project 59 wins for the Cubs

If you asked me to name the Astros' starting lineup, I couldn't. If you asked me to name Astros' starting rotation, I couldn't. If you asked me to name the Astros' bullpen, I couldn't. They traded away almost every valuable piece on their team and got back at least something for it.

The lineup for the Astros is up in the air. This is the best thing I can put together. I won't bother putting their OPS+ after their name.

1. S. Paredes CF
2. R. Altuve  2B
3. L. Pena 1B
4. R. Carter DH
5. R. Laird 3B
6. R. Castro C
7. R. Greene SS
8. L. Martinez RF
9. S. Grossman LF

The rotation for the Astros is a bit more respectable than their AAA lineup. They acquired Phillip Humber, but Bud Norris may be traded soon enough.

1. R. Bud Norris 4.65 ERA
2. R. Phillip Humber 6.44 ERA
3. R. Jordan Lyles 5.09 ERA
4. R. Lucas Harrell 3.76 ERA
5. R. Brad Peacock

The bullpen includes one common name, Jose Veras. He pitched to a 3.63 ERA in 2012. Lefty Wesley Wright pitched to a 3.27 ERA in 2012, so that's a bright spot. Prospect John Ely may come up during the season and pitch out of the bullpen, or the rotation, but it won't have an effect.

I project a record setting season for the Astros, but not in the good way. 40 wins and 162 losses, the worst record for a team since the 1962 Mets. If the Astros somehow make the playoffs, I will eat my hat.