Additionally, the oft-injured yet seemingly rejuvenated Kerry Wood has gone down with an injury yet again. And while the injury is supposedly just a blister and he may return shortly, with Wood you can never be so sure.
Opponents—As previously stated, the Cubs clearly have a boatload more talent than the Brewers or the Cardinals on paper. However, the Brewers have an offense that can match the Cubs swing for swing. They shouldn't be expected to falter down the stretch as they did a year ago for the simple reason that they have a year of experience in a playoff race under their belts.
The Cardinals are the team that everyone has expected to fold from the beginning of the season. But somehow, some way, they just keep winning. Pundits still expect the team to fold despite the fact that they lead the Majors in one-run victories and have one of the most experienced managers in the league in Tony LaRussa.
LaRussa and pitching coach Dave Duncan have been getting the job done with mediocre talent for years dating back to their years with the Oakland Athletics. They are great at taking minimal talent and turning them into contenders and are doing just that with this year's Cardinals team.
Cubs' fans can continue to think that the team will run away and hide from the Brewers and Cardinals, but don't expect that to be so. Even if the Cubs come out in front, and that's the most likely scenario, this race is likely to come down to the final weeks of the season.
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