After 11 games this season, the Chicago Cubs are on top of the NL Central with a 7-4 record.  Alfonso Soriano has been the dominant force the Cubs anticipated when they signed him to a huge 8 year $136 million dollar contract. Soriano is currently in the 3rd year with the Cubs and missed 80 games over his first 2 seasons due to various injuries. Soriano has connected for 5 Home Runs this year which is tied for 1st in the National League, in addition he is leading the National League with 13 runs scored. Various media outlets and baseball experts have argued that Soriano hitting leadoff  is not utilizing his talent effectively. However, being on a pace of 191 Runs Scored (I know it is early to project) and his speed (2 stolen bases) seem to make him the best candidate. Ryan Theriot has also been on a torrid pace in these 1st 11 games with a .400 Average.

The Cubs pitching on the other hand has been a little disappointing thus far. Ted Lilly has been the best pitcher by far with a 3.86 ERA and 2 Wins. He also carried a No-Hitter into the 7th inning in his last start against the Colorado Rockies. Ryan Dempster has been inconsistent at best with an ERA thus far right at 5.00. Just like last year’s playoffs, Dempster has suffered from control problems. Dempster has walked 10 batters in 18 innings (5 per 9 innings); he needs to locate his fastball better to get ahead of hitters and then they will be more prone to chase his excellent slider and split-finger fastball that helped him dominate last season.

The bullpen was expected to be the problem spot for the Cubs this season. Kevin Gregg who was slated as the teams closer has basically already lost the job with a 6.00 ERA. Carlos Marmol has been stellar with a 1.35 ERA in 6 2/3 innings thus far. Marmol deserved to be the Closer from day 1 in the 1st place!

The Cubs face the Cincinnati Reds in a 3-game set at Wrigley this week. The Red are 7-5 (1/2 game back of the Cubs and Cardinals) and are coming off a 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros. The Reds have the worst batting average in baseball at .210, and the Cubs will avoid red-hot Bronson Arroyo (3-0) in this series.