Cubbies Get the Hat Trick

I know it's only the first week in the season, but I think, and Chris has made comments about this in the past, that these first couple months of divisional games can be just as important as what happens the last two months of the season. The Cubs definately got a leg up on the Cards by sweeping the three game series this weekend. It was especially sweet after the Cards came in 3-0 after a sweep of the highly overrated Phillies (Once again, Jon Lieber is your ace Phillies fans; give me a break). And now the Cubbies are only a half game back from the Brewers in the NL Central.

So many highlights. Doubling up the Cardinals from Centerfield actually takes the cake over all the great homeruns. However, Barrett's grand slam to take the lead in the eighth tonight is hard to beat. Barrett and Lee getting their Silver Slugger awards yesterday seemed to pay off nicely since they both helped eke out the wins in Saturdays and Sundays affairs. I also enjoyed Albert Pujols being held to one hit. That doesn't happen too often to Albert in a three game series. It was nice to see Jaque Jones come out from his 0-13 start to the season with a three run homer tonight that put the Cubs up by one in the fifth, and it was to dead center with the wind blowing in; it was a monster shot.

However, as well as the Cubs have played this week I do have to bring up one negative thought. Well, I don't know if it's negative, but maybe a bit contradictory to what all of the analysts have been talking about. The Cubs decided to rebuild their team this year and base it more on speed than power. Bringing youngster Roger Cedeno, and getting free agents like Jacque Jones and trading for Juan Pierre would seem to back this up. But all four of their wins so far have been because of believe it or not, the homeruns. Not that the speed isn't going to factor into the process, but I find it a little annoying that all the analysts seem to be saying is that this newly retooled Cubs offense and their dedication to speed is what has got them going early on. I'm pretty sure it's the long ball that's putting the runs up on the board. Which is perfectly fine, but let's call a spade a spade, people.