And to think people were calling our division the comedy central.

I think we're better than the Wacky West!

Im thinking these numbers are good.

Im just loving Geo Soto. It seemed like he hits better behind Kosuke though. Maybe its better to keep Kosuke and Soto in the 5/6 spots for now.

Someone said with partial truth, "Stats are for losers" and "Figures don't lie, but liars figure."

It's likely worth noting that, in being 25-4 when we score 4 or more runs, the important words are "or more". In 23 of those wins (out of 29 games) we scored 6 or more runs. Looking at the 5-17 losing record when scoring less than 4 runs, in only 7 of those losses did the opponents score more than 6 runs.

There are a several "takes" on the above results--a few of which come to my mind.

1. We ought to focus on scoring 6 runs to win.
2. Our pitchers can "hold" the opponents under 6
runs a lot more often than our opponents'
pitchers can hold us to under 6 runs.
3. In short series where pitching is likely
to dominate, the Cubs likely have to win with
4 runs or less to win those short series.
4. The Cubs are currently a top starting pitcher
short of an advantage in a short series. That
is one who holds the opponent to less than
4 runs most of the time.
5. The Cubs are currently a top lefty reliever
short of pitching an inning or a little more
while holding the opponents to less than 4 runs.
6. Our pitching currently has us 9 games over .500
thanks in part to an offense that has scored
6 or more runs in 23 of our 30 wins. That
level of offense isn't likely to continue and
especially not in a shot series.
7. Either pitchers step up on our staff or
JH has important work to do for our Cubs to be
successful in September and October.
8. An effective bat in CF would help too.

I just wanted to throw out a pre-emptive strike before all the negativity decides to run amok on here. Yes, our record against non-Pirates opponents is 21-18 ...

BUT

The Pirates are 21-17 against non-Cubs opponents. It would seem to me they are a quality team who was just the whipping boy of a better team early on ... something they could blame on scheduling.

There's no reason to be anything but happy with our team's position and capability for future success right now. When you run out a lineup with Mark DeRosa in the 8-hole you are pretty solid.

JimK and Show....great points.

I just wanted to post numbers that I figured most peoplemight be unaware of. By no means was this meant to be negative on the performance of the team after 51 games.

Show, I think your point on the Pirates record is very important. And if everyone thinks back, the Cubs could have lost as many of those as they won. Those were very close games.

The Pirates are a solid team and just a couple players short of being a good team.

RE: The Pirates, the only reason I would discount those wins is that we are a right-handed hitting team, and they have a LH dominant rotation. They would be expected to do better against LH-hitting lineups. We are probably the most RH-dominant hitting team in baseball.

Over time, luck evens out, and records in 1-run games trends toward .500. We are currently 5-7 in 1-run, and given our run differntial, are the "unluckiest" team in the league along with Atlanta. So, if we continue to play at this level, we will actually get better by the record.

Neil,

Do you know what became of Angel Guzman --- Is he still part of the organization? He seems to have vanished off the radar but still shows up on the team DL for some reason.

baron last I heard is that he was rehabbing from elbow or shoulder surgery can't remember. Was supposed to be out most of this season.

Angel Guzman has been pitching at Fitch Park, in Extended Spring Training, while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He is gingerly rehabbing, and not expected to pitch much, if at all, in 2008. The Cubs are targeting a return for 2009. Given his arm problems, his future is almost certainly in the bullpen.

It was way back in 2003 when he was on the verge of being called up to the majors and inserted into the Cubs rotation, following a dominant half at AA. He suffered his first arm injury right before the Cubs were going to call.

Neil...I don't see how anyone can think your stats report is a negative commentary. In just glancing at them again, the advantages of scoring first and/or playing errorless ball really jump out. In both cases the Cubs are 21 wins and only 8 losses. One lesson for sure (that I think we know intuitively) is that if you play outstanding defense, you often win--and, if you give the opponents extra outs, you often lose.

I don't consider my takes that we likely need roster improvements as negative either. I'm hoping that JH thinks about the possibilities that our hitting will plateau at a little lower level of productivity and that our pitching will need to be better to sustain a 90 win or better trajectory.

Keith Morland...If you have connections to Extended Spring Training, what's the skinny on our 19 and 20 year-old highly regardeds who seem to be hidden there? Guys like Larry Suarez and Ryan Acosta. Maybe a few of them will show up soon when Boise starts play.

Baron, Keith is exactly right. Guzman is in extended Spring Training in Arizona and is not expected to go on a rehab assignment anytime soon.

Also, the reason you keep seeing him on the injury reports is because he was placed on the 60-day Major League DL and is on the 40-man roster