Can The Cubs Compete In The NL Central?
The Chicago Cubs open their 2011 season on Friday when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. But after a rocky spring training, do the Cubs have what it takes to compete in the National League Central?
"I think it would be great for baseball if the Cubs make a great run and have a great comeback season," the MLB Network's Joe Magrane said on the Mully and Hanley Show. "I'm just trying to find out the things that they do well. And I think so much of that is key to Big Z. We already know what kind of a mercurial guy that he can be, but he's still capable."
Carlos Zambrano has already proclaimed that he's cured after completing his anger management counseling. If that's the case and the Cubs get the Zambrano who finished last year, then they might have a chance.
But like every year, anyone who wins the NL Central will have to deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.
LISTEN: Joe Magrane On The Mully And Hanley Show
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"With the Cardinals, they just seem to have a way to be there the last six weeks of the season," Magrane said. "To me, the most interesting division in baseball this year is the NL Central, because it's completely wide open. I kind of have Milwaukee leaning a little farther forward than everyone else. It looks like Shaun Marcum is going to be OK, and it's not going to be that serious of an injury. And if you can keep Zack Greinke off the basketball court, he'll be as good as anyone else. I'm going to watch that division with more interest than probably any of the other ones, this year."
