...are we back?

Since the season hit what hopefully will turn out to have been its nadir a week ago, things have been going a lot better for the Cubs. First came the blowout win in the final game of the Atlanta series, finally giving Sean Marshall some much deserved offense, and then came a series win at Miller Park (and if Ted Lilly had not gone homer-happy in the second game, it could have been a sweep... but I will take series wins all the way to the bank). Now a dangerous four-game set has started in Atlanta, and while the Brewers series was important, it's the current set that may well make or break the season. If the Cubs win three or (dare I hope) four - and they've already taken the first one thanks mostly to a brilliant outing by Rich Hill - against a team that is currently pretty close to a playoff spot, I think that would solidify the start of a turnaround (knock wood). One scout, as quoted by Jayson Stark yesterday, described the Cubs as having a chance "to rip off about 14 out of 15 one of these days." I don't know if that specifically would happen, but a handful of 8-of-10 strings over the next couple months would be just what the doctor ordered. Winning two would be slightly disappointing, but acceptable for a road series. But if, God forbid, they were to lose the next three, it would be back to the drawing board, back to nine games under, back to everything getting questioned. It would be a disaster.

Personally, watching this team recently, I feel like they're starting to get it. They didn't look great offensively tonight, but at least they didn't have to. Games like that are going to happen sometimes. The trick is minimizing them. If Soriano continues to be a monster at the top of the lineup - when he hit the home run off his shoetops on Monday, I actually yelled at the TV, "That's why we signed you! - I think this team can go a long way. Of course, Ramirez is hurt and Lee has been in a little slump recently, losing 20+ points of BA in about a week, so hopefully those things don't continue.

The big question is whether the Cubs are buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. Personally I doubt it will be either. Traders, perhaps, like just trying to mix things up a bit, but they aren't going to be shipping out prospects for any expensive pieces and I just don't see Hendry dismantling this team. I do wish they could figure out a way to get the money for Zambrano released already - he's never going to be cheaper than right this minute, I think - but I'm starting to really worry that the turnover at the very top is going to cost us this guy. Let's try not to worry about that right now, though.

Tomorrow: Sean Marshall tries to be awesome again. Can the offense get him runs more than once?