Man, Nomar and the Cubbies are frickin insane. Seeing this lineup go through the order is like poetry in motion. You got Corey getting on base with walks, bunts, hits, and still has a load of power to scare teams with. Then when he gets on base he has so much speed and behind him Nomar, Alou, Sosa. All playmakers right there who do great things.
During one inning meanwhile tonight Patterson got on with a bunt, stole 2nd, got to 3rd on a sac fly, and home on a wild pitch. The fact that Alou takes a lot of pitches as well as Nomar really allows Corey to steal those bases. I seen Nomar take a pitch the other game, a strike 2, to get Corey on 2nd who got on with a no throw. Then with a hit brings him home. That's the threat of him at the top of the lineup. Dusty really made a smart lineup here.
Oh, and I cant say enough about Aramis Ramirez. As great as the beginning of the lineup is it gets better. Sosa still has amazing power and is something major for a pitcher to consider but following him is a guy who I'd say is our mvp. Aramis is hitting .330 almost with 23 homers. He's always getting the big hits too. Always is rising to the occasion when the scoring oppurtunities show themselves. Really allows that top of the lineup and the runs they score to continue. Its like falling dominos. His fielding is greatly improved also.
Then following that are Lee, Walker/Grudzielanek, and Barret who are all contributing every game. Couldnt ask for better guys in the 6, 7, 8 spot. No weaknesses in this lineup at all.
Anyway, with that offense like it is you still need pitching. Couldnt find a rotation to feel more secure with either. Score runs and chances are you'll win. Im really hoping Prior and Wood come back to form though. Both having been injured they're not quite at their sharpest. It would be really great if Prior could throw a shutout or a complete game just to show he can still reach back and get to that level this year. But hey, that's a luxury right there. I really cant complain with any facet of this team save the bullpen. Farnsworth under any tiny bit of pressure = falling glass.