It was only a matter of time...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3416073

With Bruce up...it's the end of the road for our one time franchise gem. blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

A new article in FoxSports today by Dayn Perry states a lot of reason why the Cubs (currently on pace for 101 wins) cannot keep their current pace. A lot of his reasons are obvious and he does bring up some good points such as overworking Marmol and Dempter's unusually good start. I still believe that Demp will have a year better than most expect due to his off-season conditioning and the early results are there. Can he keep the pace? I say yes as optimism is big in my mind.

Other points brought up include the lines Soto and ONEDEC have put up so far. Yes, it's a possibility that their numbers will go down, but I think it's completely sustainable. I remember last year when Fontenot got off to a ridiculous start, but sooner or later MLB pitching will figure you out. It's all in how adjustments are made throughout MLB's long marathon of a season.

Here's the link and discuss as you please:

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8159418/Numbers-paint-a-confusing-picture-for-Cubs

As my first post, I'd like to say that this is BY FAR the best place to go in search of news, rumors, and general opinions of all things Cubs-related. In reading the latest Rumblings by Jayson Stark, he discusses the most feared hitter in MLB, now that Barry Bonds is unemployed :)

The consensus among all various club execs and scouts have Albert Pujols as the most feared when the game is on the line. I agree, even though he is with the hated Cards, you walk him (if possible). I was also glad to see DLee mentioned in this group as he is the complete professional in terms of using the whole field with plus power.

Here's the link:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&page=rumblings&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1

Out of all the players mentioned, here is how I would rank the top 5:

1. Pujols (remember the moon shot he hit off of Lidge in the 2005 NLCS to extend the series)

2. Manny or Ortiz (either would suffice here)

3. Vlad Guerrero (the guy can take one out regardless of pitch location)

4. DLee (extremely hot right now)

5. Chase Utley (leading with 10 HRs, IMO reminds me of my fav, Ryno)

How would you rank them with the game on the line?