Now that the Cubs are officially tied in first with Milwaukee I though I would post something that would make most of us (I hope) feel a bit better.

The Cubs are 3 games ahead in the wildcard with the slumping Cards behind them, then the young not experienced Marlins. Tied with them at five games back are the Phils. 

All other teams are pretty much out of it after that with the Dodgers checking in next at 8.5 games back. 

This makes todays game much more important. The Cubs need to win this game to put the Marlins further back and to hold a first place tie or push Milwaukee back to second. 

It would be very key for the Cubs to enter the big for game series with the Brew Crew ALONE in first. 

It was just released on the Cubs post game show that The Shark has been officially called up.

I'm assuming he's being called up for Wood who's been placed on the 15 day DL. It will be backdated 10 days to July 14th meaning he can come off the DL on Wednesday for the final two games of the big Milwaukee series. 

I've attached a poll that was on the Cubs post game show about Woods injury to see what you guys think. 

The way it looks right now the matchups for the Brewers series look like this 

Monday-Ted Lily vs. CC Sabathia

Tuesday-Zambrano vs. Sheets

Wednesday-Dempster vs. Parra

Thursday-Harden vs. McClung

I'm very glad how this all works out, with Marquis NOT pitching in the series, although he has pitched very well lately.

Soriano has hit Sabathia pretty well as he's batting a .320/.452/.680 with 3 homeruns. Reed has also hit him well at .381/.364/.619 with a homer and two doubles. 

The only Cubs who've hit Sheets decently are Lee and Zambrano. 

Parra has been great for the Brewers and the Cubs haven't seen him much, with each Cub having only about two at bats against him. 

McClungs been decent, posting a 4.13 ERA this year. Alfonso Soriano is 1 for 9 against him and DeRosa's 2-4. Ryan Theriot is also 1-4. No other Cubs have had more than three at bats against him. 

Here's what the homerun derby competition looks like

Lance Berkman-22 homeruns

Ryan Braun-23 homeruns

Josh Hamilton-21 homeruns

Evan Longoria-16 homeruns

Justin Morneau-14 homeruns

Grady Sizemore-23 homeruns

Dan Uggla-23 homeruns

Chase Utley-25 homeruns

I need more words so I figured I'd say that it has officially been announced that Ben Sheets will start for the NL. I also figured I'd say that the celebrity softball game is on after the homerun derby. It's an official fanpost now. 

And I've happened to find some in this article on Cubs.com. 

Carlos Zambrano threw 60 pitches in the bullpen at US Cellular Field on Sunday, and pronounced himself ready to go for Friday when the Cubs open a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

This is very good timing so he can pitch against the Cards. This makes me feel a little bit better after hearing that Aramis Ramirez will be out for three games against the Giants in this fanpost. Lets regroup aft6er four tough losses and take three of four from the Giants. 

According to Lou Piniella in todays Daily Herald, the leadoff issue is settled. 

With left-fielder Alfonso Soriano on the disabled list with a broken left hand, Pinella has gone wuth Eric Patterson, Ryan Theriot, and Johnson as his no 1 hitter three games since. On Saturday Pinella hit bingo with Johnson hitting a three-run homer in the second. 

Johnson replies to being in the leadoff role

I think he knows that I'm comfortable in that spot, in the leadoff role. I've hit there from high school all the way up to the big leagues. It's a tough spot to hit in the lineup

But once again Lou leaves me with questions. Will Reed play left field or center every day. Or will he still platoon with Edmonds and when he's not playing center play left?

This was a post on the Cubscast Message Boards and I wanted to post it here to get your guys feedback. They are discussing all of the different nicknames they have for different Cubs. Here are some of mine. 

Alfonso Soriano-Fonzie

Ryan Theriot-The Riot

Derek Lee-D

Aramis Ramirez-Rammy

Kosuke Fukudome-Dome

Ryan Dempster-Dempe

Jon Lieber-Liebs

Ted Lilt-Lil' T

Jason Marquis-J. Marq

Carlos Zambrano-Big Z

Ronny Cedeno-Onedec

Eric Patterson-E-Patt

Jim Edmonds-Edmo

Most of mine are just plays on their names. For example, Lil T, Ted LILy, yes I know, it's really lame but that's what I call him. So what are some of your guys nicknames that you have for players?

According to ESPN.com, the Cubs have placed Soriano on the 15 day DL, I reckon he'll be on the DL for more than 15 days. But it also says they've optioned Hart. Bye-bye, 13 man pitching staff (thank-you). They've called up Micah Hoffpauir and Eric Patterson. I haven't gotten any report on what the starting lineup will be tonight, but my guess is they'll probably not be with the team until tommorow at Toronto and DeRo will man left, and Onedec will take second base for the time being.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/transactions?team=chc

I saw fuzzycubfan already has a fanpost about this but I wanted to make a poll. With Soriano out for at least six weeks, who should be the Cubs everyday leftfielder? Should it be Reed Johnson and then Lou can play Edmonds everyday in center. Or should they still switch off, and it can be Matt Murton, who's tearing up AAA. Or Hoffpauir, or someone else. What do you guys think? P.S. I love winning!!!