Cubs showed whose really the top of the NL

As I stated earlier in one of my blogs the St. Louis series this last weekend was a huge measuring stick for our Cubbies and where they were exactly standing in this playoff race.  The Cardinals who are winning with virtually nobody found out first hand why I think the Cubs are the best team in the NL and maybe the bigs all together.  DEPTH... one of our best players hasn't played for 23 games now and we are still keeping roughly the same lead we had when he got hurt.  Since Soriano's injury the Cubs are 11-12, not the best record by far but staying afloat until he can return to this line up.  Think about it Cubs fans it really makes the line up 100%  more potent with Alfonso in there. I know I've heard all the "we can do it without him, and he strikes out too much", but his bat makes every opposing pitcher tremble and take a very different approach to this line up.  We can put Fukudome back to #5 where he has hit a ton better and when I say a ton I mean it.  In the 12 games at leadoff Fukudome has hit .260 BA with a .362 OBP and since moving to #2 just recently with Reed and Theriot back and fully healthy he is 3 for 28 in seven games.  This compared to his .316 BA and .427 OBP when in the 5 hole.  Then we put Theriot back to #2 and so on.  It just works better for the hitters this way.  We are definetly a much better offense when he is there.  Our bench players and other starters have really stepped up and that makes me feel really confident in this team.  Derosa WHAT A STUD!  He has absolutely over-achieved this year and his career best 13 homers in going to get crushed at the pace he is on right now.  He has a good shot at 100 RBI's and you can't find a more versatile player out there, I bet he could pitch if we needed him too.  Not to mention he is also a fellow MLBlogger!  Everyone said we over paid for him, forget that he needs a raise!!!  Lee and Ramirez are as always having great years and the addition of Soto's bat is just amazing.  Where has this guy been hiding at?  All-Star and by far the front-runner for Rookie of the Year right now, he has been the difference maker from just a good competitive team to cream of the crop of the league.  Then you got Theriot who is batting around .315 and by far one of the best contact hitters I have seen in a while, he can put the ball anywhere.  Then you add Reed Johnson or Jim Edmonds in center and that is one hell of a line up to throw at any pitcher in this league.  Bring on CC, Miluakee thats what I say!  But back to the Redbirds series, if it wasn't for a hiccup from Wood in the 9th on Sat. we were sweeping them and letting everyone know that it is going to be damn near impossible to beat us out of winning the Central, plus more this year.  We still made our point and I think that after that series, St. Louis is going to start to fade away like everyone's been waiting for all season.  For some reason the best three records in the NL are all in the central and you got a NL West that the first place Diamonbacks are one game under .500 now.  Talk about a turn-around!  In conclusion, I think the Cubs did what they had to do this past weekend and beat up on the Cards and took their place back a top the NL.  They will get healthy again and before we know it be back in the race for best ML record and cruise into the playoffs with the Cubbie Swagger the Lou always preaches about.  I have a really good feeling about this year!!!  Till next time this is Fro and Go Cubs Go!!!