My 2011 Cubs Bold Predictions

Opening Day is this week! On Friday, the Cubs and the Pirates will open up the season at Wrigley Field. I'm still enjoying the weather and the baseball in Arizona, but for now let's jump in to my 2011 Cubs bold predictions.

• Mike Quade will lead the team to the division title and be named the NL Manager of the Year.


• Starlin Castro will win the NL batting title.


• Aramis Ramirez will have a bounce back season with 30 homers and 100 RBIs.


• Carlos Marmol will only blow two saves all season.


• Carlos Zambrano, Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster will combine for 55 wins.


• Darwin Barney will join Starlin Castro and Tyler Colvin to form a trio of young talented players that carry the offense.


• Reed Johnson's glove work will make several appearances on Sports Center's Top 10 Plays.


• VCU will win the NCAA tournament... wait- how did that get on this list?


• Welington Castillo will take Koyie Hill's job by the end of May.


• Marlon Byrd, Ryan Dempster and Starlin Castro will represent the Cubs in the All-Star game.


• The NBA champion Bulls will sing the 7th Inning Stretch at Wrigley in July.


• Jim Hendry will pull the trigger on a blockbuster trade in July to help put the Cubs in position for their playoff run.


• The Cubs will wear their #10 patches all the way to a World Series title.

I'm always optimistic... Go Cubs Go!