The Cubs are still in first place in the National League Central with a 83-76 record, 2 games ahead of the Brewers.  The Cubs have three games left this season against the Reds in Cincy while the Brewers have three home games against the Padres.  The big three hitters on the Cubs (Soriano, Lee and Ramirez) are all hitting the ball well right now.  Ramirez is 8 for his last 27 (.296 avg) with 6 runs scored, 3 homers and 9 RBIs.  Derek Lee is 12 for his last 26 (.462 avg) with 8 runs scored, 3 homers and 6 RBIs.  And Alfonso Soriano has been outstanding at the top of the lineup as he is 9 for his last 27 (.333 avg) with 5 runs scored, 3 homers and 7 RBIs.  Look for the Cubs to hold on and win the Central.

The Cubs needed help in the middle of their bullpen when the season started and Carlos Marmol came out of nowhere to dominate in that role.  Marmol has worked in 55 games this season and he is 5-1 with 1 save, a 1.25 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP.  In 64.2 innings he has allowed only 38 hits, walked 33 batters and whiffed 89.  The scary thing about Marmol is that he could be even better if he tightens up his control a little bit.  The Cubs are now deadlocked with the Brewers for first place in the National League Central with a 79-73 record.  The Cubs must win the division to make the playoffs as they are 5 games behind the Padres for the Wild Card.

The Cubs have fallen a game behind the Brewers and they are in 2nd place in the National League Central Division.  The Cubs are 73-71 on the season which has to disappoint both Lou Piniella and the front office because of the money the Cubs spent in the off-season.  But all will be forgotten if the Cubs can get hot and make the playoffs.  The Cubs must win the division as they are 5.5 games behind the Padres for the Wild Card in the National League.  If the Cubs can’t beat out the Brewers they don’t deserve to make the playoffs anyways.

The Cubs really needed former top prospect Felix Pie to step up early this season when they suffered multiple injuries to outfielders but he never did.  Pie has played in 74 games this season for the Cubs and he is 35 for 165 (.212 avg, .601 OPS) with 25 runs scored, 2 homers, 19 RBIs and 6 stolen bases.  The Cubs are so disappointed in him that they might be willing to trade him during the Winter which is something they refused to do last year.

The Chicago Cubs have surged to the top of the National League Central.  They are 70-66 this season which has them in first place in the National League Central, 1.5 games ahead of the Brewers.  One of the reasons that the Cubs have to be the favorite to win the division is because of their pitching staff.  They have only allowed 584 runs (4.3 per game) so far this season which is 82 runs less than either the Cardinals or Brewers have allowed this season.  Ted Lilly has been the best starting pitcher this season for the Cubs as he is 13-7 with a 3.89 ERA this year.  Reliever Carlos Marmol has been incredible out of the bullpen for the Cubs as he is 5-1 with 1 save and a 1.46 ERA.  In 55.2 innings Marmol has whiffed 77 hitters this year.  Ryan Dempster has done a decent job as a closer for the Cubs as he is 2-4 with a 3.33 ERA and he is 25 for 27 on his save opportunities.