Come to Think of it...Chicago Cubs Bottom is Tops - A Statistical Anomoly

Here's a fun statistic I bet you didn't know: Despite not using the designated hitter, the Chicago Cubs lead all of baseball in batting average from the bottom three spots in the batting order.

You read that right folks. Even Carlos Zambrano has gotten in on the act; he's hitting a robust .355 with 4 home runs and 14 runs batted in.

Typically, the Cubs lineup has had Geovany Soto seventh and Reed Johnson eighth. Soto has 22 homers and is batting .288, while Johnson, in a platoon with Jim Edmonds, is batting .300.

1. Cubs: .279	19. Diamondbacks: .236
2. Twins: .275	20. Brewers: .235
3. Red Sox: .272	21. Phillies: .230
4. Rangers: .272	22. Nationals: .226
5. White Sox:.266	23. Mets: .224
6. Rays: .258	24. Reds: .223
7. Jays: .256	25. Pirates: .223
8. Indians .254	26. Marlins: .218
9. Tigers: .253	27. Giants: .218
10. Orioles: .252	28. Astros: .218
17. Angels: .239	29. Dodgers: 206
18. Athletics: .237	30. Padres: .203

Overall, the Chicago Cubs lead the National League in batting average, on-base percentage, runs batted in, doubles, runs scored, total bases, and slugging.

But what have you done for me lately?

If you don't mind switching for a moment to pitching, the Cubs also lead the national league in strikeouts, batting average against, and WHIP, and are second in total ERA.

Show-offs.

This is a good team, folks. No wonder they have the best record in the league.

Come to think of it, let's have a toast: bottom's up!