We Love Men Who Take Charge

Like the Chicago Cubs, for instance, who are taking charge of the NL Central. Now holding a four-game lead over the once-surging Milwaukee Brewers, the North-Siders are enjoying some hitting on the part of Alfonso Soriano and some lights-out pitching by guys like Ryan Fricking Dempster, who is 12-4 with a 2.90 ERA.

Bennett Breaks Soriano, Dempster Rules

Alfonso Soriano could be looking at a six-week vacation after getting nailed in the hand by a Jeff Bennett pitch Wednesday night during the second inning of the Chicago Cubs 7-2 win over the Atlanta Braves.

X-rays revealed a break in the superstar leadoff hitter's left hand, leaving him in a splint for three weeks.

On the bright side, this is Ryan Dempster's awesome amazing world, and we are all just riding the dream. The Cubs closer-turned-starter is undefeated (8-0) this season at Wrigley Field and 8-2 overall. He fanned eleven last night and lowered his ERA to 2.81.

[Chicago Tribune] | [Fastball Fans] | [Goatriders of the Apocalypse]

Soriano is a Red Hot Chili Pepper

After a horrible start to the season, Alfonso Soriano is finally swinging a hot bat.

He smoked two homers Friday and two more Saturday during the Chicago Cubs' 7-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Soriano, who tied a career high by leading off his fifth game with a hit, has 20 hits in his last 37 at-bats, raising his average to .295.

[Chicago Sun-Times] | [Holy Cowbell] | [Bleed Cubbie Blue]

Lou Piniella Apologizes, Alfonso Soriano Out

Chicago Cubs skipper Lou Piniella apologized Sunday for the remarks he made regarding pitcher Jason Marquis the day before.

Following Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Angels, Marquis went off about fitting best as a starter, with Chicago or any other team, threatening to play somewhere else. The right-hander may be struggling to keep his spot in the rotation after going 12-6 with a 4.60 ERA last season.

Give Me Some of That Nice California Wine!

The Chicago Cubs have had a wild season.

The big expectations began before the season even started with $300 million chalked up to their roster after a 2006 last-place finish. By the All Star break, they were 8 1/2 games out, fighting amongst themselves and looking like the disappointing club their fans have grown to suffer by.

Monday's Babelicious Scoreboard

The Chicago Cubs may have beaten the San Diego Padres after going 0-7 against them last season, but they lost Alfonso Soriano in the fifth inning.

The centerfielder injured a hamstring while diving for a shallow, 1-out Clay Hensley fly ball. Soriano raced in, dove and rolled over as he trapped the ball, slipping as he got up to attempt the throw.