Alphonso Soriano Returns From Injury In Knick of Time

Can Alphonso Soriano give the Cubs some much needed pop to their lineup during their offensive struggles? Lou Piniella, and the Cubs surely hope so. The Brewers have crept within 1 game of the Cubs, while the Cardinals are lurking right behind (only trailing by two games).

Returning from a broken bone in Soriano's hand, it is hard to believe that he will come out of the gates hitting home runs and being a huge force offensively. I look for Soriano to struggle for a week or two, often looking very bad at the plate at times.

The glaring weakness on the Cubs is that they seem to have forgotten to have patience and plate discipline on offense. Early in the season, nearly all of the players were working long counts, drawing a lot of walks, and getting good pitches to hit when they were ahead in the count. Nobody seemed to have pressure on them since everybody was getting on base with regularity. Since about a week before the all star break, their offense started to struggle and everybody in the middle of the order has started to swing at bad pitches. Trying to be the hero and jerk the ball out of the park isn't what guided the Cubs to the top of many of the statistical offensive categories in the National League.

Not only has their offensive struggle, the Cubs bullpen has imploded on several occasions recently, ruining fine performances form the Cubs starting rotation (most notably Rich Harden). With Kerry Wood out with a blister on his finger, Carlos Marmol has to return to form along with the rest of the Cub s middle relief.

The Cubs second half of the season doesn't get any better, since many of their remaining games will be against the St. Louis Cardinals, and Milwaukee Brewers. Their fate is in the own hands. That is what worries Cub fans the most.

Ryan Dempsters Rights The Ship - 2008

With the Cardinals and Brewers beginning to surge after the all star break, Ryan Dempster gave the Cubs a much needed gem of a performance. Ryan Dempster pitched 8 scoreless innings, and the Cubs offense came out of their funk to defeat the Houston Astros 9-0.

On another positive note, Alphonso Soriano is ready to begin his rehab assignment and the Cubs will need another great August and September from Soriano to hold of the Cardinals (who have creeped with two games of the Cubs), and the Milwaukee Brewers. I have been totally shocked at the way the Cardinals have performed this year. I live in Cardinals country, and this race is starting to get intense at the local sport bars.

Quite possibly, this season could come down to if Rich Harden can stay healthy and give the Cubs the lift that they need to put them out of the top. So far, Lou Piniella has been cautious, and rightfully so. Having a healthy Zambrano, Harden, and Dempster trio come august and september (hopefully through October as well)is hopefully the recipe for success that the Cubs have been searching for.

Rich Harden Strikes Out 11 In Cubs Debut

Chicago Cub fans got their first taste of Rich Harden on Saturday against the San Francisco Giants. Rich Harden struck out 11 Giants in only 5 1/3 innings. Expect a lot of 5-6 inning performances, since Lou Piniella will be keeping a close eye on Rich Harden's pitch count. Harden was held to 96 pitches, but if they can keep Harden healthy, then you will be hard pressed to find any Cub fan complaining at all! Order A Rich Harden Chicago Cubs Jersey


Chad Gaudin, who some may overlook may prove to be the "steal" in the Hardin trade. Gaudin is a young and talented relief pitcher that can pitch several innings out of the bullpen, or even get an occasional start. Chad Gaudin is only 25 years old, and he could give the Cubs big three relievers (Howry, Marmol, and Wood), some much need rest during the dog days of august.

Chad Gaudin is sorely needed at a time when Carlos Marmol can't seem to find the plate on the mound. Marmol gave up a five run lead in the ninth inning to erase Rich Harden's strong performance on the mound. Marmol clearly needs to be shut down until after the all star break, to rest his arm and to get his composure back.

Reed Johnson saved the Cubs from a heartbreaking defeat by singling to right field, scoring Mark Derosa who led off the 11th inning with a walk.

The Cubs jumped on the San Francisco Giants early and often jumping out to a 7-0 lead, led by Jim Edmonds 4 rbi's including a homerun. Jim Edmonds has provided much needed power from the left side, and can still play a superb center field. Order A Chicago Cubs Jim Edmonds Jersey
You have to give Jim Hendry some credit. His moves thus far have helped mold a "good" Chicago Cubs team, to quite possibly the strongest team in Major League Baseball.

A healthy one, two, three punch of Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, and Rich Harden can much up against any team in baseball during a playoff series. Lets all just hope the Cubs continue to play good baseball, and it comes down to that.