In case you haven't heard by now, the All-Star reserves have been chosen, and because it's the Law, Ted Lilly is our lone representative.  Ted is deserving, not so much for his 2009 more than his overall performance since coming here three years ago.  He is the best big-money free agent signing Jim Hendry has made for us (other than the renewal of Aramis Ramirez) and congratulations to Ted for his honor.  Perhaps one of the chosen first basemen will beg out of the game for one reason or another, and Derrek Lee might get to go, for he is deserving, but first base is quite the deep position in the NL. 

Kurt gave us his batting order thoughts on today's game preview.  I know he loves him some Sam Fuld, but unfortunately he may not have him around much longer, unless Hendry can invent an injury for Soriano and/or Bradley.  As you know, tomorrow, ARam is back, as is Reed Johnson and Angel Guzman.  Will tomorrow be the end of the David Patton era in Chicago?  Probably ought to be, but all indications are that to make room for the three returnees, the Cubs will be shoving aside two pitchers and one position player, which is either going to be Fox, Fuld, or Blanco. 

If that was the choice I was left with, Fuld is my choice.  I honestly believe that if Hendry was worth a damn, he'd work on either Bradley or Soriano to get them to take one of these "anxiety" DL trips that have been so popular in 2009.  Frankly, Bradley is a shoo-in.  That way we get to keep all the young guys that are busting ass.

Batting orders now.  I am still in favor of trading for a legitimate leadoff man - in fact, since Lilly made the All-Star team, his value will never be higher in scoring an Ian Kinzler or Curtis Granderson type (ain't NOBODY wanting Harden, unfortunately). 

Buuuuut, going with what we have, I am in favor of leaving Kosuke Fukudome up there.  He only has one offensive skill in the MLB - on base percentage.  I thought, coming here, he was born to hit second.  He has not hit with enough consistency, control or authority to be that second hitter.  Like we want some guy getting thrown out on a hit-and-run while Fooky spins like a top.  But he still has a .390 OBP.  He should bat leadoff until his contract expires, until we can trade him, or until we get a real leadoff hitter.  For $12.5 million, that's the least he can do for us.

So based on what is lying on the shelf, whether we can stick Don't Wake Daddy on the DL or not, this is what I'd run out there every day, starting tomorrow:

1. Fukudome - CF (with White Slice against lefties)
2. Theriot - 2B  (yep, second base)
3. Ramirez - 3B
4. Lee - 1B
5. Hoffpauir - RF (with Fox against lefties)
6. Soriano - LF (with frequent fill-ins from the Slice and Fox)
7. Soto - C
8. Blanco - SS (because, yes, I loves me some Andy White)

Mike Burns (1-1, 3.31 ERA) vs. Ted Lilly (7-6, 3.35 ERA)
Story-lines
After yesterday's drubbing, it sure doesn't feel as if the Cubs are poised to take 3 of 4 from their divisional rivals.  And yet, with Ted Lilly taking the mound that is exactly the position the Cubs are in.  Then again, as Lou continues to tinker with the team, the Cubs remain in their offensive druthers - having only scored 2 runs in each of their last 2 games.

I realize I'm probably crazy, but it shouldn't be so hard for Lou to figure out his team and put forth a plan of action.  He has players who can lead off, he has guys who have been swinging a hot bat, and he even has the ability to take his three-or-so regulars who are tanking right now and place them in the bottom of the batting order until they heat up.

But what do I know -- I am a simple blogger.

Who's Hot
Theriot, Bradley, Fontenot, Soto, and Fuld -- hmm.  Odd.  None of these players conflict in the positions they field.  There are five of them in total, too.  Maybe Lou can work them into the 1-5 slots of the top of the lineup?  Derrek Lee would make for a sixth.

Who's Not
Fox, Fukudome, Soriano -- Jake Fox was bound to hit a dry spell.  Fukky and Sori, on the other hand, are out of excuses.

Conclusions
Here's today's should-be-lineup based on the past week-or-so of play.  Ready?

1. Sam Fuld, LF -- bats left, swings a hot bat, etc.
2. Milton Bradley, RF -- switch hitter, been hitting well as of late.
3. Derrek Lee, 1B -- Low AVG, high OPS
4. Geo Soto, C -- been hitting -- and especially driving -- the ball well as of late.
5. Mike Fontenot, 2B -- bats left, .904 OPS in the past week
6. Ryan Theriot, SS -- Batting .286, but not taking many walks right now
7. Kosuke Fukudome, CF -- bats left, .723 OPS
8. Jake Fox, 3B -- Sluggish rather than slugging, still the best option until Ramirez returns

All I'm saying is that they couldn't possibly do worse than the real lineup Lou's trotting out there today.  For the record, that lineup is as follows:

Fukudome, Theriot, Lee, Bradley, Fox, Soriano, Soto, Fontenot, Lilly

But I'm crazy for thinking Lou's lost it?

Just when it looked like the Cubs might be in a good position to get a step ahead, the offense comes crashing down, the pitching falters and fails, and my apocalyptic worst-case scenario (a 4th place again Cubs) comes true.

Meh.  They're still playing for a series win today.

Rich Harden, it would seem, does not have the testicle fortitude to pitch when his best stuff is not there.  Smarter pitchers find something that works even when their pitches aren't.  But not Harden -- he got lit up like a firecracker.

Then again, so did Patton and Samardzija, both of whom gave up extra -- but meaningless -- runs to the offensively angry Brewers. 

On the offensive end, nobody had a particularly good game (as evidenced by the meager 2 runs the team scored).  Milton Bradley hit a 2-run homerun on the day Yahoo sports posted an article questioning whether or not the Cubs were already tired of him and his antics.

Maybe they are, and maybe it's a relationship doomed to eventually fall apart, but I will repeat again the message of this month: Talent Wins Out.  Bradley's not done as a hitter yet -- even if 2009 is a lost season for him.