If you're like me, you had Cliff Lee and Joe Saunders one-two in the AL Cy Young before the season started.

Uhh, not so much.

You correctly called Edinson Volquez and Ryan Dempster in the NL Cy Young race though for sure.

Right...

We did think Volquez was going to be good, but THIS good? This soon? And Dempster? More like Ryan Dumpster the last few seasons. Yeah, makes perfect sense that he would go from struggling closer to 100% unbeatable at home (9-0 in 10 starts) this season.

I saw it all along.

A few days back, I took a look at the hitters across baseball that were playing out of their, well, "butts."

Now it's time to look at the starting pitchers...


STARTING PITCHERS:

• Ryan Dempster (CHC), Cliff Lee (CLE), Joe Saunders (LAA), Ervin Santana (LAA), Justin Duchscherer (OAK), Vicente Padilla (TEX), Gavin Floyd (CHW), John Danks (CHW), Armando Galarraga (DET), Edinson Volquez (CIN)
  

Yup, we're going with a 10-man rotation here. There are just way too many pitchers that are throwing entirely too well right now to limit this to five. And for whatever reason, all but one of the above 10 call the American League home.

The NL stinks, let's face it.

But a few Senior Circuit hurlers just missed making my really crowded overachieving rotation: Aaron Cook (COL), Seth McClung (MIL) and virtually the entire St. Louis Cardinals rotation (seriously, why is that team any good?) Yes, I'm talking to you Kyle Lohse, Braden Looper and Todd Wellemeyer.

In case you're interested, the AL's Nick Blackburn (MIN), Shaun Marcum (TOR), Aaron Laffey (CLE) and Oakland pitchers Dana Eveland and Greg Smith just missed making the rotation, as well.

But let's delve further into the true starting rotation, the "overachieving 10."


Ryan Dempster: He ranks in the Top 5 in the NL in Wins (9), ERA (2.63), Winning Percentage (.818) and WHIP (1.11). Not to mention his ridiculous opponents batting average (.203), strikeout total (85) and hits-to-innings pitched (76 H in 102.2 IP).

The guy didn't even START last season. Or the year before that.

2007: 4.73 ERA
2006: 4.80 ERA (nine blown saves)

So how is this guy 9-0 at home?

You got me.

Cliff Lee: It's been a good year for Lee. Real good.

He's been struggling some of late, and he's STILL on pace for this line: 21-2, 2.45 ERA, 162 K, 31 BB, 1.08 WHIP.

And all signs pointed to this after he had a tidy 6.29 ERA in 20 games (16 starts) last season. Repeat: 6.29 ERA.

He's always had the talent, but NO pitcher started a season quite like he did this year.

After four starts: 4-0, 0.28 ERA, 31.2 IP, 11 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 29 K
After seven starts: 6-0, 0.67 ERA, 53.2 IP, 32 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 44 K

I'm not a math major, but that's good.

Joe Saunders: He's been only average the past few seasons and doesn't strike anyone out. He has just 49 K in 101 IP and he's on pace to serve up 25 gopher balls.

So I've been waiting for him to start losing this season. It just doesn't happen. 

He's on pace for 23 wins (23-6) with an ERA barely above 3.00 (3.03).

Ervin Santana: I've always been a BIG fan/supporter/apologist for this kid. But after what he did last season, it was hard to remain that.

Yeah, you know, the fact that he had 1-10 record with an 8.38 ERA on the road in 14 starts. Not a typo: 1-10, 8.38 ERA. NOT a typo.

He was solid at home, but those road numbers brought his season stats down to 7-14 with a 5.76 ERA. Not good.

NATURALLY, Santana is 6-1 with a 3.10 ERA on the road this season. Of course.

He's on pace for 19 wins, 191 K and a WHIP barely over 1.00.

THIS is why I always defended him. It's like he morphed from Ervin to Johan in one year. I just don't know how.

Justin Duchscherer: Who had THIS guy down for an ERA under 2.00 (1.99) and a WHIP under 1.00 (0.97) this season?

I didn't. And neither did Justin.

More craziness: Only four HR and 57 H allowed in 77 IP and a .208 BAA. And a 8-4 record.

The 30-year-old had five career starts entering this season, and those came from 2001-2003. And he didn't play in the bigs in 2002. He has always been a terrific reliever, but what evidence was out there that he could possibly do this as a starter?

None.

Vicente Padilla: I'm going to keep this simple.

He went 6-10 with a 5.76 ERA last season. No surprise there, it's Vicente Padilla. We expect that.

We do NOT expect a 10-3 record with a 3.64 ERA from that same guy -- at a notorious hitters park, no less.

We are now entering the Twilight Zone.

Gavin Floyd: I'm not positive he belongs here to be honest.

He was the fourth overall pick with the Phillies years ago, so we knew he was loaded with talent.

But he, well, how do I put this...SUCKED for them.

In 24 games (19 starts) with Philly from 2004-2006, he had a 6.96 ERA.

Last year with the White Sox, he had a 5.27 ERA in 70 IP.

Different pitcher this season: 8-3, 3.19 ERA and an amazing 66 hits allowed in 90.1 IP. The guy has almost thrown TWO no-hitters this season. He fell short in the 8th in one and in the 9th in the other, but he has displayed the nasty stuff that made the 4th overall pick.

So maybe he doesn't belong here. But what I do know is, most people were skeptical he would ever find "it" and be anything more than a 5th starter for the White Sox. He's been much more than that this season.

John Danks: See Above.

Danks was a pretty highly regarded prospect in his own right -- not quite at the Floyd level -- but he was AWFUL last season as a rookie.

He went 6-13, had a 5.50 ERA and allowed a putrid 214 baserunners (28 homers) in 139 IP.

So it only makes sense that he ranks fourth in the AL with his 2.80 ERA. And of course he's on pace to allow just 12 homers and has a WHIP that ranks just outside the Top 10 in the AL.

He only has four wins to show for all this (4-4), but that's no fault of his own. Chicago is simply not hitting for him.

Armando Galarraga: Man, why aren't people talking about this kid right now?

He's allowed 47 hits in 71.1 innings pitched! That's good for a WHIP of 1.07 and a BAA of .184. Incredible.

He is 7-2 with a 3.03 ERA in 11 starts. A 26-year-old rookie is NOT supposed to be doing this.

Edinson Volquez: This is simple.

Click HERE.

Then HERE.

Is Dan Uggla really Babe Ruth disguised as a skinny little second baseman?

And is Ryan Ludwick better than Albert Pujols?

The answers are obvious: Heck no. But it seems like it right now, doesn't it?

This happens every year. Guys that come out of nowhere to perform like superstars or guys that have monster years out of the blue that nobody could have predicted (think Brady Anderson circa 1996).

Sure, Dan Uggla is a good player. We already knew that. But he isn't THIS good. He's performing way above expectations. It's fun to see which players do it each season. So let's take a look at who these players are at this point in the year, position-by-position.

Editors Note: This entry is rather long, so pitchers will be done in a separate blog entry in the near future. Also, look for the opposite of this list (i.e. the All Disappointing Team in the coming days).


CATCHER:

• Ryan Doumit (PIT) and Jesus Flores (WAS)

Dioner Navarro and Bengie Molina were considered, but Navarro was once a top prospect and Molina has always been a strong offensive catcher -- plus his ridiculous average has come back to normal at .308. Geovany Soto has been terrific, but he was highly touted coming into the season, as well, and his impressive offensive numbers have come down the past few weeks.

But Doumit (.341 AVG, 9 HR, 22 RBI) and Flores (.306 AVG, 4 HR, 27 RBI) have simply come out of nowhere on bad teams to impress offensively.

Doumit has always had the pop (21 HR in 632 AB's entering 2008) but he entered the season with a career batting average of .251. Not only that, but he's drastically cut down his strikeouts -- he has 19 in 138 AB's this year compared to 59 in just 252 AB's last season. Doumit is slugging over .600 right now and his OPS is just shy of 1.000. This is very unlikely to continue.

Speaking of unlikely to keep it up, take look at Flores...

Before Flores got called up, he wasn't exactly tearing up AAA. How about four extra-base hits and a (ahem) robust .153 AVG in 59 at-bats.

OK, so maybe he was slumping. It happens, especially in such a small sample size. Well, 2007 wasn't much better: .244 AVG, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 48 K, .310 OBP %, .361 SLG % in 180 at-bats.

So where is this .300+ average and run production coming from right now? You got me.


FIRST BASE:

• Lance Berkman (HOU)

Let me get a few things straight first.

1. I am well aware that Berkman is an absolute monster.
   
2. Nobody should be all that surprised he's been the best hitting first baseman in baseball.
3. Pretty much every other first baseman in baseball has been HORRENDOUS.

I thought about taking a few different guys...

Jason Giambi - He struggled last season, but that was because of injuries and distractions. We know if all is well with him, he will hit homers, drive in runs and get on base. And he's done just that this year.

Mike Jacobs - Thought about him for a second...he does have 17 HR in 221 AB's while last year he hit 17 HR in almost double the at-bats (426). But I can't pick him for one reason: His OBP% is, well, NOT good. More like flat awful, at .272.

This my friends, leads us to Berkman. Who is having one of the best seasons you will ever see. Let's compare his numbers this year to last.

Note: 2008 numbers are his projected pace.
.
2007: .278 AVG, 34 HR, 102 RBI, 95 R, 156 H, 24 2B, 7 SB, .386 OBP%, .510 SLG %
2008: .356 AVG, 43 HR, 130 RBI, 143 R, 208 H, 50 2B, 26 SB, .438 OBP, .683 SLG %

Need I say more?


SECOND BASE: 

• Dan Uggla (FLA)

Apoligies to the terrific season that Ian Kinsler is having -- don't worry Ian, I certainly have taken notice. But have YOU taken notice to what Mr. Dan Uggla is doing right now?

My god.

Anyone have any explanation how that guy (a 5-foot-11, 200-pound second baseman) leads the entire world in home runs?

He's on pace for 51 home runs (which would be a record for a second baseman), 126 RBIs, 126 runs and 53 doubles.

Yes. That's over 100 extra-base hits.

Yes, I'm talking about THAT Dan Uggla -- the guy who hit .245 last year with 167 strikeouts and a OPS of .805.

Heck, his slugging percentage this year is practically .800.

I can't take this anymore, let's just move to the next position please.


THIRD BASE:

• Chipper Jones (ATL)

Similar situation to first base, but let me explain.

I considered two other options: Jorge Cantu and Mark Reynolds. Both are doing well, but both have low averages (Reynolds especially, at .252). Cantu is actually at a solid .281, but his numbers aren't too eye-popping -- and he did have a monster season before in 2008 with Tampa Bay.

My main argument here is how eye-popping Chipper's numbers are.

Look at his projections for this season, and in particular, look at how they compare with his career highs in each category.

AVG: .393 (career high: .337)
HR: 36 (45 in 1999)
RBI: 103 (111, only 100+ once in last four seasons)
Runs: 107 (123, only 100+ once in last four seasons)
Hits: 221 (189, 32 less than what he's on pace for now)
OBP%: .485 (.441 in 1999)
SLG%: .631 (.633 in 1999)
OPS: 1.116 (1.074 in 1999)

Sense a common theme here? This guy was at his peak in 1999, at the age of 27 -- like most other ballplayers. He's certainly been good since then, but this good? Not close.

This makes little sense. The guy is 36-years-old, and you are NOT supposed to have your best season now - especially battling an assortment of injuries. But he's doing it now.

And that's certainly more amazing to me than Cantu or Reynolds.


SHORTSTOP:

• Cristian Guzman (WAS)

As of a few years ago, I didn't even know this guy was still alive.

Jokes aside, I'm serious.

2005? Guzman had a .219 AVG (and a .260 OBP % and .314 SLG %) in 456 at-bats for the Nationals.

2006? Wasn't in the big leagues, and I don't know where the heck he was.

2007? Played in just 46 games for Washington and played fairly well.

But this year, he has been pretty good. And I dont know how. He's hitting .310 and is on pace for 11 HR, 55 RBI, 95 R, 215 H and 46 2B.

210 hits! 46 doubles! WOW. Guzman is back with a vengeance!


OUTFIELD:

• Ryan Ludwick (STL), David Murphy (TEX), Carlos Quentin (CHW), Nate McLouth (PIT)

This should be fun. Let's add the home run and RBI totals from these four guys last year, and compare it to this season -- which isn't even half done yet.

Ludwick+Murphy+Quentin+McLouth = 34 HR and 135 RBI in 964 AB in 2007
Ludwick+Murphy+Quentin+McLouth = 58 HR and 214 RBI in 1,084 AB in 2008

Ludwick in 2007: .267 AVG, 14 HR, 52 RBI, .479 SLG% in 120 G and 303 AB
Ludwick in 2008: .297 AVG, 36 HR, 125 RBI, 47 2B, .606 SLG% (on pace for)

Murphy in 2007: ..340 AVG, 2 HR, 14 RBI in 43 G and 103 AB
Murphy in 2008: ..274 AVG, 21 HR, 109 RBI, 45 2B
 
Quentin in 2007: .214 AVG, 5 HR, 31 RBI, .298 OBP%, .349 SLG% in 81 G and 229 AB
Quentin in 2008: .280 AVG, 38 HR, 124 RBI, .392 OBP%, .533 SLG%

McLouth in 2007: .258 AVG, 13 HR, 38 RBI, 62 R, 21 2B, 22 SB, .351 OBP%
McLouth in 2008: .292 AVG, 32 HR, 110 RBI, 125 R, 52 2B, 19 SB, .375 OBP%

A few notes...

Ludwick was pretty solid last season, but nobody talked about him coming into the season -- everyone was expecting a different St. Louis outfielder (Rick Ankiel) to break out. Nobody expected this from Ludwick. He is a HUGE reason why they are doing so well with Pujols injured.

Murphy performed VERY well in limited time last year, but everyone thought that was just an abberation. He was essentially a throw-in in the trade that landed Eric Gagne to the Red Sox last season. Texas sure looks smart now, don't they?

Quentin is an interesting case. He was once a very highly-touted prospect in the Arizona organization, but for various reasons didn't perform well when he was on the field. Much of that can be attributed to his injury (shoulder) problems. He did get 229 at-bats last year, though, and was downright bad. This year he has been a monster and the best hitter in a White Sox lineup filled with talent and proven hitters.

People were talking about McLouth entering this season. They thought he would break out. He did. But 30+ HR and 110 RBIs for a leadoff man? NO ONE expected that.
 

11:10 p.m. Although brooms aren't allowed at Wrigley Field, the sweep is on for the Cubs over the South Siders. Cubs win, 7-1. Dempster is now 9-0 in 10 starts at home this season. Who knew?

Amazingly, the Cubs have won 14 straight home games -- the first time they've done so in 72 years.

BUT, there's a certain something they haven't done in 100 years...

I don't need to say it.

OK, OK, I PROMISE that was the last time.

Because I am DONE.

11:01 p.m. When you're struggling, you need to get a hit any way you can. And Nick Swisher will certainly take that little squibber down the 3B line that hit the bag while Ramirez was trying to let it go foul.

And that will do it for Dempster...who gets a huge ovation.

Former White Sox Bobby Howry will come in with runners on 1st and 2nd and nobody out.

11:00 p.m. Dye leads off a single. Dempster could use another one of those trusty double play balls to help him complete this game.

10:53 p.m. Eric Patterson continues to make me look bad -- granted, that's not all that tough to do -- he now has two hits and two walks. He showed off his blazing speed with that infield hit...and now around the bases as D-Lee ropes a double into the gap.

Cubs now lead 7-1.

10:49 p.m. You know it's a good night when you ground out weakly to shortstop and STILL get a resounding ovation from the crowd.

10:47 p.m. Speaking of leaving Dempster in, he is hitting for himself to lead off the bottom of the 8th off of White Sox closer Bobby Jenks.

I love it. Dempster probably told Lou that he was staying in. He's still only thrown 96 pitches. He should be allowed to finish what he started.

10:45 p.m. Thome leads off the inning with a pinch-hit double, but is stranded there as Dempster shuts the White Sox down once again.

Lou Piniella came out to the mound at one point, And Dempster just looked at him as if to say, "No way in hell are you taking me out right now."

Piniella acquisced and left him in. Good decision.

10:35 p.m. On his 43rd pitch of the inning, Dotel gets out of the jam. Throwing 43 pitches and allowing only one run in an inning is NOT easy to pull off.

And now his arm is probably about to FALL off.

6-1 Cubs after seven complete.

10:32 p.m. Crede can't handle the tough hop on a hard-hit grounder by DeRosa. Crede charged with the error (his 14th...which amazes because he's easily one of the best fielding 3rd baseman in the AL).

The bases are loaded and Dotel has seemingly thrown more pitches in this one inning than Dempster has in seven.

10:31 p.m. Geovany Soto just missed hitting a three-run home run. At this point, it probably doesn't even matter.

Holy moly,..Dotel has thrown over 30 pitches this inning, but has only given up the one run. So far, that is. That could change in a hurry.

10:26 p.m. The 7th inning stretch passed, and I forgot to say what I had for dinner. But nobody guessed, so it doesn't matter.

(That Ramen tasted oh-so-good)

10:23 p.m. And Dotel is giving his best Vazquez impression...walking Derrek Lee and giving up an extra-base hit to Ramirez to score another (this time, just a double. Man is he slumping!) Cubs lead, 6-1.

And another walk! Although this time, Dotel was ordered to do so by manager Ozzie Guillen.

10:16 p.m. Octavio Dotel comes in for Vazquez to start the 7th.

If the Cubs prevail in this one, they will have won 8-of-9 from the White Sox in the last two seasons. These teams meet again next weekend in the South Side.

Entering THIS series, these teams were tied head-to-head in Interleague Play. Cubs now on top.

But still without a World Series title in 100 years. OK, I promise that was the last time.

10:13 p.m. Dye stays scorching hot with a double down the LF line to lead off the inning. Swisher just misses one down the RF line, barely foul. DeRosa then makes a diving stop to his right, robbing Swisher of a single, but moving the runner to 3rd.

Crede laces the first pitch up the middle -- almost taking the head off of Dempster -- to give the White Sox their first run of the night.

Wise jumps all over the first pitch, too, but hits it right to Edmonds in center.

Ramirez hits one a mile high to left, but Patterson camps under it for the third out, leaving Thome and his 500+ homers on deck.

10:04 p.m. Vazquez does his best Dempster impression, setting down the opposing side in order. Cubs still ahead, 5-0, after six.

This look good one inning, look awful the next is really holding true in this one for Javier.

9:56 p.m. Aside from a great battle from Pierzynski, Dempster makes real quick work of the White Sox in the Top of the 6th.

Stop me if you've heard this before tonight: Dempster cruises through the inning, while Vazquez looks great for an inning then walks everyone and serves up the long ball.

9:49 p.m. Inning over, but the damage is done. 5-0 Cubs.

White Sox fans, don't fret. The Cubs still haven't won a World Series since 1908. Jeez, isn't it tough that you haven't won since...oh, 2005?

9:47 p.m. Or a walk. Yes, a walk. Only five now for Vazquez.

9:46 p.m. Edmonds strikes out for the second out. You know what that means? Soto is going to hit a home run here...

9:44 p.m. D-Lee strikes out.

Aramis Ramirez goes big-fly on the very next pitch. 5-0 Cubs. Just when you think Vazquez is back on track, think again...

Ramirez has four homers in the three-game series. Yikes.

9:42 p.m. Apparently Eric Patterson heard my criticisms earlier in this blog.

I was poking fun, saying he'd be no good just because his brother is Corey Patterson.

He just cranked a two-run shot off Vazquez to give the Cubs a 4-0 lead. 

9:39 p.m. Things just aren't going Javier's way, but he's not helping himself with his lack of control and consistency.

He had Fukudome 1-2, but drilled him in the elbow on a 90+ MPH heater to start the inning.

First time Fukudome has been hit ALL SEASON in over 300 plate appearances. Welcome to the bigs!

9:35 p.m. Dewayne Wise is doing everything he can to spark the offense, but his teammates keep messing it up.

Wise leads off with a beautiful bunt single but Ramirez hits into yet ANOTHER -- that's three in five innings now -- White Sox double play.

Vazquez couldn't do much better at the dish, popping out to end Top of the 5th. The South Siders keep quelling their own rallies.

9:30 p.m. Vazquez allows just a single, and the score remains 2-0 after four.

9:25 p.m. Doesn't matter how many jams Vazquez gets out of at this point if Dempster keeps dealin'. Dye gets robbed at third by Ramirez, Swisher struck out looking and Ramirez made another nice play to nab his third base counterpart in Joe Crede.

9:22 p.m. For those scoring at home, take a guess what I made for dinner.

Hint: I am a college student.

Answer to come during 7th inning stretch.

9:19 p.m. Vazquez works around the two walks in the third, score remains 2-0 after three innings. The White Sox almost messed up Edmonds' easy popup, with Wise and Cabrera nearly colliding. Someone forgot to teach them to call for it.

9:17 p.m. With two out and nobody on, Vazquez walks Ramirez. He's now walked four and has thrown 57 pitches in 2.2 innings. Not good.

9:16 p.m. And all those throws over paid off! Patterson thrown out at second on the steal attempt. He's looking more and more like his brother by the day!

9:14 p.m. Vazquez has thrown over to first about 50 times now in the last few minutes to check on Patterson. Which is great for me, because I'm trying to cook dinner right now and not miss anything.

9:11 p.m. Here we go again? Vazquez walks Patterson on four pitches to lead off the inning. The fourth pitch almost drilled Patterson. So much for the strong second inning from Vazquez...

9:05 p.m. I hate watching pitchers hit...it's ugly. Vazquez K's. Cabrera follows with his second single of the night, and Pierzynski narrowly misses hitting into the 3rd White Sox double play in three innings.

But it doesn't matter, because Quentin makes the third out on a comebacker to Dempster.

9:00 p.m. Vazquez looked extrely sharp this time around, striking out Fukudome looking to end the 2nd inning. Still 2-0 Cubs.

8:56 p.m. Crede starts the inning with a nice play at third to rob DeRosa of at least a single. But Theriot counters with a broken-bat flair that nobody can come up with on a nasty 1-2 pitch.

On a side note, the error was changed from Wise to Cabrera as expected. One of the runs charged to Vazquez in the first inning was unearned.

8:48 p.m. Dewayne Wise is trying to get the inning started on his own. He singles up the middle and promptly steals second base on the first pitch to Ramirez. But Ramirez grounds out to end the inning.

8:46 p.m. But this time Swisher draws a leadoff walk...let's see if the White Sox can capitalize on it like the Cubs did in the previous half inning.

And as I say that, it is now impossible that they do. Crede grounds into the second double play in as many innings for the South Siders.

8:43 p.m. Vazquez escapes further trouble, thanks to Swisher bailing out Cabrera with a nice stretch at first base. But the White Sox trail, 2-0, and Vazquez had to throw 30 pitches and exert a lot of energy in the first.

Swisher sure as heck hasn't bailed out his team this year at the plate (hitting .235).

8:38 p.m. D-Lee steals 2nd base. Cubs now have two steals, and scored two on the hit-and-run on Lee's base hit. They are certainly aggressive tonight, trying to jump on the struggling Vazquez and get that series sweep.

8:36 p.m. Vazquez gets the first out, almost 10 minutes into the bottom of the first. Never a good sign.

8:32 p.m. Wow. Walks come back to kill every time, and this instance is no different. D-Lee lines it into center on a 1-2 pitch (with the runners going) and both score -- with the second run scoring on a cutoff throw that Cabrera could not handle from Wise in center field.

Inexplicably, they charged Wise with the error. Cabrera just flat dropped the ball. This ruling will probably get changed when the official scorer takes another look.

Cubs lead 2-0.

8:30 p.m. Six straight balls to start the game now for Javier. Make that seven. Uhh, make that eight.

Where's Bob Eucker to call this game when you need him?

8:29 p.m. Vazquez all over the place to start the game, a four-pitch walk.

Eric Patterson steps up to the plate now, and I know for a fact he's getting out (probably going to strike out). How do I know, you ask?

He's related to Corey Patterson.

8:24 p.m. Always works out that way...after singing Dye's praises, he hits into an inning-ending double play (4-6-3). He's cold as ice now.

8:23 p.m. Quentin is heating up, much like Cabrera. He laces one up the middle a la Cabrera to lead off the game. Speaking of heating up...Jermaine Dye is up. He has 15 RBI in his last six games, hitting .478! Now THAT is hot.

8:22 p.m. The early foul bunt puts A.J. behind early and he strikes out on a nasty splitter down and in. Now we know why he has all those strikeouts. And strike one swinging to Quentin on another nasty splitter.

8:19 p.m. Orlando Cabrera hits a single up the middle to start things off for the Pale Hose. He is really starting to pick it up offensively after a really slow start.

And right on cue, Pierzynski stands in and gets booed. No surprise there, I bet he gets booed at dinner by his family (joking...well, maybe) He tried to bunt, but it goes foul. Now they try a hit and run, but A.J. fouls it off. OC had a great jump too.

8:18 p.m. First pitch from Dempster (81 strikeouts and just 66 hits allowed in 94.2 innings pitched. Amazing. First pitch is a called strike.

8:15 p.m. The tarp comes off, and the game will begin just a few minutes late.

Wow. If you're watching on ESPN right now, they showed a spectacular rainbow. If the Cubs lose this game, I'm sure the rainbow will be a new "curse" in Cubs' lore.

8:10 p.m. In case you're from Chicago and only pay attention to the Cubs (Don't act like you don't do it), you may not have noticed the White Sox have the best team ERA (3.44) in all of baseball.

A good stat to lead in. This team is for real.

8:05 p.m. Before the first pitch, I got to thinking...with Carlos Zambrano now on the DL, the Cubs sure could use Rich Hill. Ya, remember him? He went 11-8 with a 3.92 ERA with 183 strikeouts in 195 IP in 2007.

This year? Not so much. He had control problems to start the season, and was sent down in AAA.

Based on his stats thus far there, he probably should be been sent to AA, at best.


7:57 p.m. LINEUPS

• Chicago White Sox lineup:

1. Orlando Cabrera (SS)
2. A.J. Pierzynski (C)
3. Carlos Quentin (LF)
4. Jermaine Dye (RF)
5. Nick Swisher (1B)
6. Joe Crede (3B)
7. Dewayne Wise (CF)
8. Alexei Ramirez (2B)
9. Javier Vazquez (P)

• Chicago Cubs lineup:

1. Kosuke Fukudome (RF)
2. Eric Patterson (LF)
3. Derrek Lee (1B)
4. Aramis Ramirez (3B)
5. Jim Edmonds (CF)
6. Geovany Soto (C)
7. Mark DeRosa (2B)
8. Ryan Theriot (SS)
9. Ryan Dempster (P)

7:50 p.m. Chicago vs. Chicago.

North Side vs. South Side.

White Sox vs. Cubs.

Always fun.

Especially when you consider that both teams are in first place in their respective divisions. And especially when you consider the bad blood between these teams. And the Cubs (they haven't won a World Series in a while or something right?) look to sweep the White Sox at Wrigley Field despite trailing in each of the first two games of the series.

Here is more on tonight's matchup:

Records: White Sox 41-33 (17-22 on road), Cubs 47-28 (31-8 @ home)

Pitching matchup - Javier Vazquez (7-5, 4.13 ERA) vs. Ryan Dempster (8-2, 2.76 ERA)

• Interesting notes: Dempster is 8-0 at home this season, with a 2.93 ERA. So of course, he is 0-2 with a better ERA (2.48) on the road. The Cubs are 9-0 when Dempster starts at Wrigley Field this season.
• Vazquez ranks 2nd in the AL with 93 strikeouts, but has struggled in his last three outings (ERA has climbed from 3.43 to 4.13) However, he won two of those three starts, despite allowing at least four earned runs without making it to the 7th inning in any of them.
• The Cubs are trying to win their 14th straight game at Wrigley Field for the first time in 70+ years. Wow.
  

Links:

• A few weeks ago, I wrote about how the Cubs are NOT the only team playing in Chicago. I think the Cubs may have been offended by that, because they never lose anymore...
• The last live game blog that I did, turned out to be a doozie of a ballgame. Let's hope history repeats itself.