Sox need health, Cubs breaks

It's only one day.

Opening Day counts for a single victory or defeat.

But watching Milwaukee closer John Axford blow up in the ninth inning Thursday and seeing the Reds rally from 3 down to beat the Brewers in walk-off fashion, and then watching Cards closer Ryan Franklin blow a save in St. Louis, we already have reminders that getting your key players off to a good start in April can make or break you.

This is something the White Sox speak of regularly, and something the Cubs found out last year.

Axford was a big concern for a team picked by many to win the NL Central, and there couldn't have been a worse beginning for the Brewers.

So already there's joy in Cincinnati, fear in Milwaukee and loathing in St. Louis, which brings us to the North Side of Chicago, where the Cubs had the healthiest spring of anyone in the division.

They got huge breaks when the Brewers, Reds and Cardinals all suffered major injuries and backed up to the Cubs during spring training, and if the Cubs' veterans who have been so bad the last couple of years can improve just a little over last year, the Cubs can absolutely compete in a division that isn't nearly as strong as it was in January.

The Cubs open with a soft schedule that includes 15 of their first 18 against the Pirates, Diamondbacks, Astros, Padres and Brewers — who are nowhere near full strength.

A good start is crucial while the Reds, Brewers and Cards stew in their disabled lists.

If the Cubs can do that, and continue to get the breaks, they could make this a very entertaining summer.

White Sox

The South Siders won 88 games last year, a fact often lost in the memory of a rotten start and a weak finish.

But they brought back everyone they wanted, improved the bullpen depth, and added Adam Dunn.

All things being equal, the AL Central is theirs for the taking provided the Sox can stay healthy, and that's easier said than done as the miles pile up on key contributors such as Paul Konerko (35), Matt Thornton (34), A.J. Pierzynski (34), Juan Pierre (33), Will Ohman (33) and Mark Buehrle (32).

If the Sox can keep their roster on the field and get four months out of Jake Peavy, you have to like their chances.

Ozzie Guillen

The peaceful spring, at least as it pertains to current White Sox business, was a nice change from last year.

Ozzie Guillen seems to have his family under control and might even understand he's got this managing job for life if he doesn't shoot himself in the foot or invent problems where there aren't any.

For the sake of Kenny Williams and the players, here's hoping this is the beginning of something better.

Anyone willing to wager on that?

Mike Quade

After seven weeks, Mike Quade doesn't really need to play the “aw-shucks, just-happy-to-be-here, baseball-lifer” character anymore — appealing as it may be to all of us.

He's not just a regular guy who happens to have the position. He's the manager of the Cubs, and a good one at that.

Quade's gifted at playing the media, and he already has the press eating out of his hand.

At the same time, he knows how to ensure popularity with Cubs ownership and Cubs fans, playing the hits and hitting all the right notes and talking points.

Simply put, he's good at this.

Quade's earned the opportunity, and he has a lot of people rooting for him now that he's finally gotten his chance.

He's a smart guy managing a marquee franchise in a huge market. He doesn't have to act like he's anything other than that, or apologize for it.

Matt Garza

The Cubs aren't exactly worried about their biggest off-season acquisition, Matt Garza, but let's just say they're anxious to see his first start of the regular season.

Garza is healthy and his stuff was good in spring training, but he was throwing everything right down the middle and it wasn't for effect.

The Cubs are cautiously optimistic his location will improve and Garza will go back to being Garza when the bell rings.

Good start

The Tigers lose with Justin Verlander on the hill and the Brewers and Cards blow saves with two outs in the ninth, while Albert Pujols hits into 3 double plays and Ryan Theriot makes an error in extras that loses the game.

Pretty good start to the Chicago baseball season, considering neither team played.

Short stops

Starlin Castro is going to be a star. Alexei Ramirez is already there.

Rookies of the year

Made my rookie picks at the start of the spring, going with the Giants' Brandon Belt and the Royals' Mike Moustakas. That's either going to look brilliant or really stupid by July 4.

Yeah, you're right. Most likely stupid.

And finally …

Here's wishing a healthy and happy new year to all Chicago baseball fans. May your team be productive, your wins plentiful and your October busy.

brozner@dailyherald.com

ŸListen to Barry Rozner from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays on the Score's “Hit and Run” show at WSCR 670-AM.