In the off-season, I would have circled this up-coming series @ the Diamondbacks as not only crucial, but dangerous. Now, it's crucial-but not exactly the same kind of test that most would have predicted.

Everyone might have predicted the Cubs and Dbacks to both be leading their divisions at this point in the season. Only the Cubs are leading it with a 58-40 record and the Dbacks are leading it with a 48-50 record.

Yes, the Dbacks are a sub-.500 team this season. They are solid on the mound but can't seem to score any runs. They've got the fourth worst team batting average in the National League at .250 and are in the bottom half of all major offensive categories.

But they're still capable of beating you with their rotation. Oh, would you look at that, neither Cy Young winner Brandon Webb nor Dan Haren are scheduled to pitch this series. We're entering no-excuse territory, people.

Then again, this is North Side baseball and when it comes to going on the road, to Arizona, the Cubs are anything but dependable. The Cubs are 13-25 all time at Chase Field. In fact, the Cubs haven't won the season series with the Dbacks since 2003. At least having swept the Dbacks back in the spring will prevent that trend from continuing.

Why is this so big? The Brewers and Cardinals are head-to-head right now. Someone has to lose those games and someone ahs to win them, so the Cubs are guaranteed to gain ground one someone if they win and lose ground to someone if they lose. With the Dbacks having problems and not pitching their two best guys, the cards are perfectly in the Cubs favor…pardon the horrific pun.

Tonight's pitching match-up of Rich Harden vs. Randy Johnson looks to be the most interesting of the series. Harden is starting for the second time as a Cub, coming off that spoiled start where he was lights out and the bullpen nearly coughed it all away, but instead coughed enough up for him to get a no-decision. Johnson is notorious for destroying the Cubs (12-0, 1.98 ERA in 13 starts averaging 10 Ks), though he's been bad this season…of course except for lately, which always happens to the Cubs. The Big Unit missed his chance in the final game of the series at Wrigley this year due to a rain delay. He's been angry ever since.

There's never been a better chance for the Cubs to make a statement on the road with their bats. I leave it at that.