Members of the "Trade for Freddy Sanchez Club" or any fan rooting for a big offensive pick-up before next Friday's trade deadline can't be pleased to see that Ted Lilly has officially gone on the disabled list. With Cubs' starters 1 through 4 having all been on the disabled list at some point this season, the Cubs have to address their needs, and picking up a fifth player who can play second base is not one of them.

Though it would seem the greater need is left-handed bullpen help, the starting pitcher injuries have to make the Cubs' nervous --...more

I know what you're thinking. The Cubs sweep a four-game road series for the first time since that season-changing series in Milwaukee at the end of last July and all I can do is whine about the bullpen.

Well tough. If Alfonso Soriano can take his rediscovered power into Philadelphia this week and lead the Cubs to a couple wins there instead of hacking away at the Walgreens Celebrity Batboy team, then I will certainly give Fonzie his due.

You certainly have to applaud any club who goes into another ballpark and wins four straight, no matter the record, but...more

I know, the thought of the second half is daunting. What if the Cubs continue on this directionless spiral of break-even no-offense baseball? What if the offense comes back, but the starting rotation slips? With a disappointing first half, where does a fan draw his/her optimism that this team can make a second-half run?

The best I can suggest is the law of averages. This roster has all the pieces that won a division the last two years and there's no reason fans not to demand better second-half baseball.

After this week's series in Washington, the schedule will not be...more

The first half of 2009 has been a tremendous disappointment for the Chicago Cubs. Spin it whatever way you like, but going into the All-Star break at 43-43 is nowhere near where this team should be. Predicted by most to sail to a third straight division title, the Cubs look more likely to finish in third place. 

Yes, the Cubs are still just 3 1/2 games back of first, but it's been this way going on two months now. It's a glass half full/half empty scenario at this point, fittingly the halfway point. But there's no two ways to view...more