Cubs fans found themselves raiding their medicine cabinets, squeezing sand bags, and taking up zen yoga in an effort to deal with the stress-inducing baseball that occurred over the weekend at Wrigley Field. After Saturday the Cubs were sharing a spot atop the Central, losing sole possession of first place for the first time since May 26th, and in the process causing heart attacks across Cubs Nation. But, after it was all said and done, they were division leaders once again following Sunday’s victory. Triple Play dissects the Marlins series, and looks ahead to Milwaukee:

1. Getting Back in the Swing of Things
I wrote in an earlier edition of Triple Play that it would take a few games for Alfonso Soriano’s return to have an effect on the lineup. In the first 3 games of the series he had only 2 hits in 13 at-bats, and the Cubs scored 2 runs in each of their 2 losses. Sunday may have been the game where the offense turns a corner. Soriano went 3-5, with a 3-run homer, Derrek Lee 2-5, with a solo shot, and Aramis Ramirez 2-3, including an RBI double. These are the kind of stats you want to see out of your premiere hitters. Lee also did not ground into one double play during the series. The wheels of the offense began to spin through Saturday, and the engine was firing on all cylinders Sunday. It finally looks like the team is relaxed at the plate. Lee even noted that the team was more upbeat during Sunday’s win. All of this is a direct correlation to Soriano’s presence in the leadoff spot.

2. The Fantastic Fontenot
Mike Fontenot is doing everything in his power to prove he deserves to be an everyday major league player. He came through in the clutch yet again in the series finale, hitting the game winner by driving in 3 runs on a bases loaded double in the 7th inning. Dubbed “Little Babe Ruth” by Ron Santo, he is now batting .362 in July with 4 home runs and 13 RBI’s in just 17 games. Interestingly enough, the Marlins opted to intentionally walk Daryle Ward to get to Fontenot in that 7th inning, a move they would deeply regret. His ability to step up in big situations and hit with surprising power gives skipper Lou Piniella more flexibility off the bench. In addition, if Mark DeRosa continues to struggle, he can plug in Fontenot and not lose a step. Opposing managers might want to take note from here on out that the scrawny middle infielder that looks ready for the prom is actually a force to be reckoned with.

3. The Kid Can Play
Jeff Samardzija made his major league debut this weekend and showed he is worth the hype. He pitched 2 innings of relief in Friday’s loss, allowing a run, but fanning 2. Sunday he went 2 more innings, retiring all 6 batters he faced, striking out 3, and earning his first career save. With Kerry Wood scheduled to return from the disabled list this week (whether he is activated or not, time will tell), and Scott Eyre ready to come back, the former Notre Dame star wide receiver is making it difficult for Piniella to decide who stays and who goes. If, in fact, Samardzija is sent back down to Tennessee (AA affiliate) or Iowa (AAA affiliate), he could be a major component down the stretch when it’s time for September call-ups.

*Bonus Series Preview: The Cubs now head north to Milwaukee for their biggest series of the season-to-date. After this 4 game set they could find themselves looking up at the Brewers, 3 games back, looking down on them, 5 games up, or anywhere in between. Sunday’s victory provided momentum, as they face C.C. Sabathia (4-0, 1.36 ERA in 4 NL starts) in the series opener. The key for the Cubs is consistency. They must carry over what they did on offense Sunday into Miller Park to get in a rhythm. If they have rhythm then they will have confidence in themselves if they are trailing.

On the pitching side, the starting pitching just has to keep the team in the game. That should not be a problem with Ted Lilly (6 innings, 3 earned runs in last start) on the hill Monday, followed by Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, and Rich Harden. In the late innings, Carlos Marmol will almost certainly be called upon, and he can’t get into bases loaded jams like he did during the Marlins series, then try and pitch out of it. Miller Park is no longer ‘Wrigley North’ and Marmol will find it much tougher to escape those situations in a more hostile environment.

It’s only the end of July, but it feels like October…

*Got any questions, comments, or suggestions? Drop Rajiv an email or leave feedback in the “comments” box below.

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