Chicago Cubs Gamble On Patience Pays Off With Division Lead

The Chicago Cubs have been the punch line to many jokes over the first half of the baseball season. The front office was pressured to make a move to help the struggling team that was not hitting.

Instead of panicking, however, Cubs management decided to stand pat and allow the season to play out. They figured that the law of averages would catch up and the team would eventually start to hit and play good baseball.

That is exactly what has happened since the return of Aramis Ramirez to the Cubs lineup. Ramirez had missed six weeks with a dislocated shoulder, but since his return, the Cubs have been streaking.

On Sunday, the Cubs returned to a place where they spent most of last season, the top of the National League Central standings. They took over first place with a 5-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds. The win capped a strong weekend for the Cubs.

"It was only a matter of time before a lineup with Ramirez, Lee, Bradley, and Soriano started to hit," said observer Billy Cooper, "if they stay healthy, they will be right in the middle of the Central race the rest of the year."

One factor that could alter the balance of power in the division is named Roy Halladay. The Blue jay star pitcher would be a game changer for any Central team, but the one team in the running for Halladay may be the Cardinals.

St. Louis already bolstered their chances by acquiring Mark Derosa from the Indians and Matt Holliday from the A's. Even with the additions, the Cardinals have now slipped to second place behind the Cubs.

July 26, 2009
Posted By Vincent Tapoglia III
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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