Coming into this important divisional series against the Milwaukee Brewers, the media didn't seem to give the Cubs much of a chance. The Cubs had been reeling during the second half of the season, while the Brewers have gotten red hot and erased a 6 game deficit in the standings.
Ted Lilly and Carlos Zambrano matched CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets pitch for pitch, leading the Cubs to victories in the first two games of a four game series. Now, after the first two games of the series (against Sabathia and Sheets) the Cubs have built a three game lead in the standings, with Dempster and Hardin still to pitch in this "playoff like atmosphere" divisional series matchup. Order Cubs Merchandise, Apparel, and Jerseys before they make their push for the playoffs!
Kosuke Fukudome seems to be coming out of a month long slump, getting key hits, and overall looking much more comfortable at the plate. The Cubs lineup tends to follow Fukudome's plate discipline. Early in the season, when Fukudome was getting on base at a .450 OBA clip, the entire lineup seemed to take more pitches and ultimately get better pitches to hit. When Fukudome began to lunge at pitches out of his zone, the other players in the Cubs lineup seemed to follow suit. The last few games, Fukudome seems to have his batting eye back, and coincidentally the rest of the lineup is beginning to hit again. Coincidence?
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