Hello everyone. I am Micheal Smith and i am covering the Chicago Cubs. The poor Cubs have not won a World Series since the 1908 season. If the Cubs do not win the World Series this year then they will have not won in for 100 YEARS! Even the KC Royals don't have a drought that long.

Things are actually starting to look up for the Cubs. With last season's acquisition of Alfonso Soriano they obtained a lead off hitter who can go the distance with every at bat. Further assisting on the offensive side of the ball are Aramis Ramirez and Derek Lee who both hit over .300 last season. Offensively the Cubs should have few problems. Unless of course one of these three players get hurt in the season.

The Cubs biggest fear should be their pitching! Though the Cubs had four pitchers post double digit wins, Ted Lilly's 15, Rich Hill's 11, Carlos Zambrano's 18 and Jason Marquis's 12, their ERA was terrible. Their respective ERA's where 3.83, 3.92, 3.95, and 4.60! For teams to win the World Series they need good pitching. The Cubs do not possess any dominate pitchers who only lose when the other team gets lucky.

For you curious Cub fans here is the Cubs starting lineup for 2008.

My prediction is that the Cubs will win a tight battle for the NL Central over the Milwaukee Brewers, and then lose in the first round of the playoffs continuing their World Series drought.

Michael Smith