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[247cy]

The Cubs are going to be up and down based on how the farm talent goes. Lee, Ramirez, and Soriano will hit their homers and score runs, but this club can't play division crown baseball if they don't get any help - i.e. don't have runners on in front of them, or have no one drive them in when they get on.

I really like Theriot, and believe he's the spark the Cubs were missing last year. This year Soto and Cedeno have come on, and Fontenot is coming along. Mark DeRosa is a valuable player for this team as well, because he can play so many positions and give guys days off when needed. I really hope they don't trade him.

Fukudome has been an excellent acquisition and I really like what Reed Johnson has done at the plate. He and Fukudome are tough outs...they don't strike out a lot and see a lot of pitches per at-bat. It has translated to the other guys somewhat, but when the Cubs are behind, they still chase some bad pitches and swing from their heels alot trying to hit a homer rather than base hits.

The problem right now is mostly pitching. Zambrano has picked up where he ended last season (rather than the 1st half of last year, yuck.), and Dempster has been a solid starter. Hill is in a funk, and I don't blame Lou for sending him down for some work. Marquis is a serviceable day 4 or 5 starter. I hope one of the other guys can step up and fill a spot in the rotation, preferably a lefty.

The bullpen has had a slow start. Other than Marmol (who I believe is just fine as a 7th 8th inning guy) the bullpen is shaky. Wood worked well in the 3-0 win @ Cin, I hope it continues like that. Howry needs to find that 1st strike outside at the knees fastball he usually throws...he's much more effective working ahead of hitters.

Good thing there are a ton of games left to figure things out. I still think they'll win the division.