Who is that masked man? It can't possibly be Ronny Cedeno, no matter what the jersey number or name says. It has to be somebody else; somebody who plays competent shortstop, who drives in lots of runs, who hits grand slams. But surely, truly, it can't be Ronny. Right? Do you think it could be ...naaaaah, it couldn't. Too many clutch hits.

It seems quite possible that Ronny Cedeno has - at least, temporarily - made the Ryan Theriot situation moot. After a couple of really, really productive days, including a whack of bases loaded hits (especially this afternoon's grand slam), it is pretty likely that Ronny Cedeno will be the starting shortstop for the immediate future.

It's also impossibly unlikely that he will remain in that role. I'm sorry, but I'm just not buying it. I mean, even Neifi! had a few beautiful months in Chicago. But, hey, you've got to play the hot hand, and at this moment there are none hotter than those attached to the wrists of Ronny Effin' Cedeno. Sorry, I almost forgot, he will hereby be known as Jinx.

Jinx Ce wasn't the only awesome Cub today. Other assorted heroes include Koss-K "Go" Fukudome. This little man continues to hit the piss out of the ball, going 3 for 3 with 2 walks and his 5th double fo the year. Felix Pie went 2 for 5 as well - in fact, the Cubs offense wrangled up an impressive 14 hits and 8 walks as they completed their first mini-sweep of the season.

Also, let's give credit where credit is due. Ted Lilly, you were pretty crappy today, but you still held the dangerous Mets lineup to 1 run off of 4 hits and ::shudder:: 4 walks. Hey, it wasn't pretty, but it's a start. Build on it, buddy.

Tomorrow the Cubs take on the defending NL Champion Colorado Rockies, who are currently 9-10 and have lost their last 2 games (they play tonight against the Phillies). The Cubs will be playing for their sixth straight win, which reminds me... they've already strung together two five-game winning streaks this season. You know how many streaks of five+ that they had last year? Two - one five gamer, and one seven gamer.

Could this be the season we've all been waiting for? Y'know, the one where the Cubs leave us with no doubt and little to worry about until October? After decades of stress, it would be nice.

Series recap: The Cubs are perhaps the hottest team in baseball right now. I use the word "perhaps" because I'm too lazy to confirm that nobody comes close to the kind of play the Cubs have shown us so far in April. But what I do know for sure is that only Arizona has a better record in baseball right now. So, scratch the "perhaps." These guys are awesome.

Current Record: 14-6
Standing in the central: 1st place, 1.5 games ahead of the Cardinals
Best possible record: 156-6
On pace for: 113-49
Winning percentage needed for 120: .746