Runs scored: 672 (2nd in MLB behind TX by 23 runs), 1st in NL 64 runs over NYM and 65 over STL and 88 more than the vaunted Milw offense. The also lead the NL in OPS (.807), StL is 2nd with .777 and Milw is 4th with .764. Cubs also lead in OBP with .359, StL is second .348, NYM are 4th with .342, Phila is 6th and Milwaukee is 10th. Cubs also lead in team batting average with .281, followed by StL at .277, again Mets are 4th, Phila is 6th and the Brewers are 10th.

Runs allowed (4th in MLB, 17 more than TB, 14 more than LAD, 10 more than Oakland) so they are 2nd in the NL.  Ironically LAD also leads the NL in team ERA (3.63) with Chicago is 2nd (3.77), Milwaukee is 3rd with 3.92, AZ 4th, Phila 5th, Mets 6th and StL 7th. (Want to know how to be a contender, pitching--pitching--pitching)

Lead in differential 166 runs, BOS SOX is 114, CHI SOX is 92, TB is 73,Phila is 66,  LAA & NYY are 62, MN is 50, NYY is 47 Milw is 46, StL is 45, AZ is 36, LAD is 35.

Cubs are tied for 1st in come from behind wins, 36 (tied with Milwaukee)

Cubs are tied with the best home record 28 over .500 with TB;  (BOS SOX are 25 over, CHI SOX are 23.

Cubs are .500 on the road; as AL noted the following teams lead in road record LAA is 16 over .500 (they are only 14 over .500 at home so for them it is not where they play, and the only team in the AL with a winning record on the road, TB is one under .500).

In the NL; StL are 8 over .500 while Milw is 4 over, Phila is three over, (NYY is one under as is FL), while AZ is 3 under, LAA is 6 under.

Cubs weaknesses: Fielding  they rank 11th in the NL, yet StL is 15, NYM is 13th, Phila is 10th, LAD is 9th, Milw is 6th, and AZ is 5th.

One run games: 17-18 with the best ERA and 2nd best RA and best hitting team this could be a weakness and yet 28% of the games are one run, Milw is 13 over in 36 games, StL is one under in 43 games, NYM is 13 over in 27 games, Phila is 7 over in 34 games, and AZ is .500 in 32 games. 

Extra inning affairs: Cubs are 8-5, (Brewers 9-5), StL is 6-10 (difference between them and Milw), NYM is 8-6, Phila 4-7, and AZ is 4-4.

Cubs are playing .588 against RH starters and killing lefties with a .686 winning %. Milw is only 6 over .500 against right handers while beating lefties .649. StL is surprising one game under .500 against lefties; everyone else also kills lefties better than righties in the NL.

The thing what all this comparable macro data suggests is what a fan who has been watching all along: Cubs have the best balance---meaning best all around roster in MLB this year. They could end up with six players with 20 or more HR's in their starting lineup; (provided Lee finds his power stroke, Edmonds keeps dinging them to LF, DeRosa has a hot Sept and Soto blasts a couple more). But they also have a spot starter/PH who has 8 in Mini-Baby Ruth....(Fonty).

They the best utility player in the game (DeRosa), best setup spot closer in Marmol, best all around bullpen, 4 top of the line starters where all four could have 10 or more wins for the year and 4 have 10 or more wins on the Cubs staff.

They also have more big killer innings offensively than any other club by almost double (5 runs or more scored) a staggering 23 times.

They have sustained injuries to their ACE pitcher, their best offensive player and lead off hitter TWICE, their closer, overcome slumps by their two best RBI guys, retooled CF with two DFA'd veterans who now lead the position as a platoon in OPS.

How good are the Cubs?  THEY ARE RIGHT NOW THE BEST TEAM IN BASEBALL! And they also play in the best or at least most competitive division in MLB