As the Cubs end the month of April we started to see signs of improvement in some areas, like the bullpen and defense.

The Cubs finished off the week with a 4-3 record and finished a 4-6 roadtrip after they got swept by the Brewers last weekend. The Cubs blew another lead against the Reds mid-week, and the offense still hasn’t performed at its top potential during the early parts of this season. They took three of four from the Major League’s worst, the Marlins, which they should have done as the Marlins struggle to score runs with their young lineup. Overall, it was a solid week, but the Cuba had the potential for a 6-1 week as theey were in all seven games but couldn’t muster enough offense.

Bullpen: Kevin Gregg has shown us some signs of being a closer by getting two saves over the weekend in relatively easy fashion. Gregg’s stat line includes four innings and three saves with no earned runs allowed. He has been quite the surprise, as just two weeks ago he was going to be used in the minor leagues for depth, and he now seems to have locked down the closer role. James Russell has been brilliant and is the Cubs’ only left-hander out of the pen. Russell’s stat line includes 13 games pitched with nine and two-thirds innings pitched with no earned runs allowed. If the bullpen can hold up then the Cubs’ record will continue to improve week to week.

Rizzo Power Surge: Anthony Rizzo has found his power lately with five homeruns over his last 10 games.

Rizzo still hasn’t hit at a consistent level as his average has stayed around .200 for most of the season, but he showed some good things with his swing this weekend as well as patience at the plate. With eight homeruns and 18 runs batted, Rizzo is leading all national league first basemen in both categories. If Rizzo can get his average back up to the .270 range it’s going to be an exciting season to watch.

Predictions for Rizzo: .275 batting average 32 home-runs and 96 runs batted in.

Upcoming Schedule: The Cubs will return home to Wrigley for a 10 game homestand and will play 16 of their next 19 home games at Wrigley, including their makeup game with Texas on May 6. Rizzo will play his former team, the Padres, from which the Cubs also grabbed Jason McLeod and Jed Hoyer, who were in the front office at San Diego.

To finish the weekend the Cubs welcome the Reds to town. In my estimation I see no reason for the Cubs not to take three out of four games against the Padres and at least one game from the Reds. Being optimistic, the Cubs will finish next week with a 5-2 record as the offense starts to break out back at the Wrigley Confines.