Cubs should re-think their logo...

Hitters: Check!
At the top of the league in Runs, Hits, Total Bases, RBI and OPS. Top five in almost every other catagory. Even Soriano was 2-4 the other night.

Closer: Check!
Wood has been looking better and better. Downright electric in his last outing against the Reds on the anniversary of his 20 strikeout game.

Bullpen: Check.
Marmol is the class here. Hitters miss when they swing at his crazy movement and he doesn't miss the strikezone. They could shore up a few more spots but hopefully new call ups Fox and Gallahger can help.

Starters: Check.
Outside of Dempster and Zambrano there is a bit of woe in Cubville about the starters. Lilly hasn't done much this year and Marquis is on and off. Other problems persist but through it all the Cubs are in the top 5 and even 3 of most pitching catagories in the NL!

Defense: ...
With a solid infield corps and a fast and armed outfield with a gun-toting catcher the Cubs have the best ... wait - WHAT?!? We're 5th in errors some of which have cost us more than a few un-earned runs - !!5 the other day against Dempster !! No wonder our ERA is looking so good. This is bush-league.

Soriano: Joker or Jacker or BOTH?

I did some quick math in my head and decided that Soriano has to hit 4 HRs AND steal at least one base for every fly ball he drops.

IF he was still hitting homers - he got one the other night and IF he steals bases - he stole one today and IF he gets on base in the lead-off spot - no signs of this BTW - then he can open up a lemonade stand in left for all I care.

That's a lot of ifs but I do love lemonade...

Tricky SI Curses Cubs in Japanese!

I wasn't going to say anything.

After seeing the latest SI cover highlighting Fukudome and the Cubs proclaiming that "It's Gonna Happen" I decided to keep my mouth shut. Ignore it. Don't even pick the damn thing up! Maybe the jinx wouldn't land on the Northside.

After all, the Cubbies had been on a hot streak since Alphonso Soriano hopped onto the DL and Reed Johnson took over centerfield/leadoff duties. The Cubs were near the top of the league in OBP, team BA and wins. Even Jason Marquis was starting to pitch well.

But now that the jinx seems in full effect - I thought I'd actually touch the magazine and to my horror discovered SI's little trick.

It wasn't Sweet Lou's insistence on batting Soriano in the leadoff spot - OR - Alphonso's shaky fielding. It wasn't even Kerry Wood's tenuous hold on the closer role. It actually had nothing to do with the Cubs at all. SI did this to the Cubs on purpose.

On the SI cover the Japanese text supposedly said "It's Gonna Happen" but after brushing off my "Japanese for Sailors" manual the translating error was exposed.

"Great, Now We're F#@ked"

Thank you SI and all you Cardinal fans who must be working in SIs binding factories. You certainly aren't writers.

You got us this time but we'll be back. As soon as Soriano's hamstring pops - look out!