Playoff preview?

I've neglected to make a Cubs post for almost three weeks now, and they've been a pretty eventful three weeks, so let's try and recap some of what's been happening. Firstly, the Cubs sit at 62-44, having struggled out of the gate after the All-Star break (they're 5-6 since then). Really, I don't think the slump quite warranted the panic that was ensuing from some fans, but it didn't help that the Brewers had gotten read hot during the same period of time, and actually spent a day tied with the Cubs for first. While the Cubs are still 1st in the NL in runs, BA and OBP, their bats--most notably Derrek Lee (.245 avg, 2 HR), and Aramis Ramirez (.156 avg., 1 HR)--have been relatively quiet since the break. That trend may now be turning around in a big way, however, as the Cubs have won their last two in the form of a come from behind 9-6 win over the Marlins, and a 6-4 victory at Milwaukee, the latter being the first loss for C.C. Sabathia as a Brewer.

Kerry Wood has been on the DL with a lingering blister issue. The fact that its not one of his recurring structural issues in his arm is obviously very good news, although, in a way, the fact that its a rather mundane injury makes me as a fan even more anxious for him to get back on the field. Roughly at the same time of Wood's injury, Carlos Marmol started a stretch in which he got absolutely rocked, and is currently looking at a 6.35 ERA for July (it was bad in June as well, after his ERA was under 2.00 in both April and May). Pinella's use of Marmol has been truly baffling at times, and is one of the few things I feel can be raised as a major complaint in regards to his managing. Marmol's on pace for almost 90 innings on the year. Yes, it's a fact that sometimes when you're in a pennant race and your team has a chance to win in just about every game, you have to keep running your best guys out there. There have been times, however, when Pinella has used Marmol in a game on no days rest when the Cubs have a lead of at least 4 or 5 runs and when there are other, more rested pitchers in the bullpen. Not everyone in the bullpen is lights out, but overall its good enough such that Lou should be able to feel that he can go to someone else in that situation. Lou does seem to put a lot of trust in Chad Gaudin, and his ERA is an excellent 1.69 since joining the Cubs, so its possible that his presence in the 'pen will give Marmol a break as we come down the stretch.

Jeff Samardzija made his major league debut last Friday against the Marlins, and then went two more innings on Sunday--a game that followed a 12 inning loss that wore down the bullpen--to get his first major league save. He already has 5 strikeouts in 4 innings and looks as if he has absolutely filthy stuff. He was throwing at 97 right out of the gate on Friday. Down the road he could have all the makings of a great back-end bullpen guy, although he may eventually be a starter as was his role in the minors.

As I mentioned earlier, the Cubs beat the Brewers last night 6-4, and in doing so took the first of four games at Miller Park in what is a crucial series. The Cubs currently hold a two game lead and therefore can guarantee that they'll remain first after this series is over with one more win. Tonight is going to be one of the best pitching matchups of the year: Carlos Zambrano vs. Ben Sheets.

Tale of the tape:

	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K
Carlos Zambrano	11	4	2.96	1.24	87
Ben Sheets	10	3	2.87	1.13	115

As per normal, all stats come from Baseball Reference.