Imaginary Diamond

The Chicago Cubs bandwagon is making its way through your neighborhood, and there are a host of reasons to get on board. Look no further than the historical implications of the Cubs winning a World Series exacly 100 years since their last championship in 1908.

Then, move on to some of the good stories coming out of the team’s clubhouse. Derrek Lee, one of the game’s better guys, is healthy and producing again; Kerry Wood is back in a prominent role; and fiery ace Carlos Zambrano is at peace with the Cubs front office.

But, ask any Cubs fan, and they will tell you that a couple of rookies have been the catalysts for excitement in the North side. Rookies Geovany Soto and fan favorite Kosuke Fukudome have stolen the show and sparked the team’s run to the National League’s third-best record (19-14).

Soto has been the game’s most productive catcher through 33 games, leading all backstops with a .349 average, .438 on-base percentage, .648 slugging percentage, 1.086 OPS, 13 doubles and 24 RBIs. Soto and Fukudome rank 1-2 among major league rookies in hits, average, OBP and OPS.

SI.com’s Lee Jenkins puts Fukudome’s impact on the city of Chicago far better than we ever could, so here’s his article. His fast start and patient approach, as Jenkins explains, have set the tone for the Cubs’ resurgence.

In other news …

Floyd Flirts With No-Hitter
The no-hitter remains one of the most mysterious achievements in sports. Another relative unknown, Chicago White Sox right-hander Gavin Floyd, flirted with a no-no on Tuesday night, but fell two outs shy on a double by Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer in the ninth. It was the 25-year old’s second near no-hitter in the last three weeks.

Berkman Goes 5-for-5
Houston Astros outfielder Lance Berkman’s fantastic season continued, as he went 5-for-5 with 4 runs and 2 stolen bases in Houston’s 6-5 win over Washington. The steals were his fifth and the sixth of the season. Some names with fewer stolen bases so far: Brandon Phillips, Orlando Cabrera, B.J. Upton, Corey Hart, David Wright, Alfonso Soriano … you get the idea. Oh, and Berkman is hitting .353 with 10 home runs, 32 RBIs and 34 runs scored.

More Facts About Lance
Has at least one RBI in five straight games and has at least one run in 10 straight … is 9-for-10 in the last two games … leads the National League and ranks second in the majors with 32 RBIs … also ranks second in the majors with 10 homers.

Gagne Still the Closer in Milwaukee
Milwaukee Brewers manager confirmed on Monday that Eric Gagne would stay in the closer role despite leading the majors with five blown saves. Potential replacements, should he lose the job: Guillermo Mota, David Riske and a darkhorse, Salomon Torres. Riske has been the popular choice in fantasy leagues, but look for Mota and Torres to share the responsibility should Gagne be demoted.

Zito Returns to Rotation
Giants left-hander Barry Zito’s bullpen tenure was short-lived, as manager Bruce Bochy announced on Tuesday that he would return to the starting rotation. He will start on Wednesday against the Pirates, which will be his first action since his last start on April 28. He is 0-6 with a 7.53 ERA.

More thoughts …
Sports Yenta predicts the same results for Zito.

Soto once again sits atop Nine Bo Jacksons review of top fantasy catchers.

All Things Philly Sports remembers Floyd’s trying times with the Phillies.

Dustin Hockensmith is editor of ImaginaryDiamond.com. He can be contacted at dhockensmith[at]fantasysports101.net.