According to Levine that is the case.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/columns/blog?post=4135612&name=levine

Looks like we will get to see one of the Iowa starters (Atkins, Wells, or Asciano) make a couple of starts.  I guess Samardzija is a possibility also.

All in all this is happening early enough in the season that it shouldn't be a major disaster or anything.

It says I need nine more words in order to make this a post, hopefully this works.

Ok so the possible jinx is over, the are in!....so how does everyone honestly think the Cubs will do in the playoffs...setting aside the euphoria of the day.

I know in short series you really can't predict anything, I expected the Cubs to not do well in the Division Series last year based on that horrible Florida series last year, something just wasn't right.

This years team is better, but I still don't think they are a lock to win even the first series. It will help if they draw the Mets in the first round, they've had good luck with the Mets this year and their bullpen is in shambles.

Our bullpen which was at least a mild strength for most of the year isn't in great shape right now. Marmol is lights out, Wood is so-so and it drops WAY off after that with Cotts being the 3rd best option. IF Gaudin can come back to his old form he becomes the 4th option, it seems like a big if though.

The offense has been inconsistent of late. I know alot of people on the board disagree with this and point to the 'best offense in the league' and thats definitely true by the numbers, but this offense is majorly hot and cold. I would hope they are better than the 07 offense in the playoffs, and I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised.

The starting pitching is the strength of the team going into the post-season. Dempster, Harden, Zambrano and Lilly hopefully will give at least decent starts. I'm not all worried about the starting pitching.

So overall I'm undecided. The team is stronger than last year, but still isn't great enough to think that they will just cruise through the NL playoffs.

Of course my hope is that they go 11-0 but have to be realistic lol

GO CUBS GO!!!

This diary is hard to write and I know Fukudome is a vastly superior player in defense, base running, throwing arm....but Kosuke has now had 452 at bats that is one less than Jacques had in 2007.

Kosuke has recordeed 40 more walks than Jones had, 34 to 74, but he has also struck out 25 more times.

Kosuke has 4 more homers and Jacques had 10 more doubles.

Jacques offensive line 285/335/400

Kosuke is at 265/367/389

Kosuke has hit into 10 less double plays 5 to Jacques 15.

Again I don't like writing this post, but all things considered the numbers are pretty even offensively.

Yet another starting roation for the Braves...shades of the 85 Cubs:

Jun 11 Mark Bowman, of MLB.com, reports Atlanta Braves SP Jair Jurrjens (ankle) was scratched from his start Wednesday, June 11, with a twisted right ankle. The team is hoping Jurrjens can prevent a trip to the disabled list.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/8091/news;_ylt=Atnzw1IIbr11CzrW2ldB8OyFCLcF

Bennett isn't bad but more bad luck for the Braves.  Bennett has never faced the Cubs yet in his career.  He is 0-3 with a 3.47 ERA.

CORRECTION: Bennett has never faced the Cubs as a Brave, as a Brewer in 2004 he pitched 7 2/3 innings vs the Cubs only giving up 1 ER.

I was looking through Gallagher's statistics on Baseball Reference and saw that he only has 1 career hit in 58 proffessional at bats...a single with Double A Tennessee last year. He's struck out 36 times in those 58 at bats.  Let's hope he has a great pitching  game Sunday against the Rockies :)

Gallaghers major league totals:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/gallase01.shtml

Gallaghers minor league totals:

http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=20556