It was sweet to watch the Cubs today, at least, look like a bunch of professionals playing like they're in synch.

Everyone contributed, and they played like the team we saw last year. It was a work of art. Even during the Philadelphia series, they kept scratching and fighting .. perhaps it was that test with the 2008 champs that really lit a fire up within them because it looks like they haven't looked back. So far.

This team played with a wonderful focus that was a thing of beauty today. Fukudome's cannon at work with his gun down of the Reds runner, Hill's first ever triple, Harden and the bullpen working up a victory and ARam scattering hits and power even though he's still not where he should be was joy to watch. Milton Bradley's continued improvement is certainly a great encouragement, and was that not a sweet basket catch even as he barreled into the Reds bullpen? And anytime we can bring Dusty screaming out of the dugout is fine with me.

NOW, where do the Cubs go from here? God alone only knows, but their destiny is largely going to be in their hands this week in the NL Central when they host a headlong collision with the Astros. Now the all out bar room brawl begins .. the fight to hold the summit and defend their crown.

Do the Cubs have what it takes to hold on?  Will Lilly and Dempster return to form and will Soriano launch an offensive streak that will last all the way to a Game Seven? What acquisitions should the Cubs still need to make? Will what we have last  to October and beyond?

I just know one thing .. like my nephew Alex said in Cincy: we got a fever in the Martinez household and it don't involve cowbell ..

May the Cubs Nation end up LIKING October baseball more this year than in any other time in many years .. GO CUBS!