My vote for MVP

Glendon Rusch pitches in the first of inning of his 4-0 shutout last night

Glendon Rusch, who pitched a 4-hit shutout against the Western Division leading San Diego Padres is, in my opinion (and even more in that of my wife), the Cubs' MVP for the past two seasons. He has dutily performed every task the Cubs have asked him to do. Whether it be providing a steady arm in the bullpen, filling in with a spot start here and there, or dropping into the rotation for a spell to fill-in for an injury, he has delivered every time. I don't think I've ever seen a player be so quietly valuable to a team.

Check out these stats:

5 W, 1 L, 55 IP, 10 ER, 40 K, 24 BB, 1.96 ERA

Just one homer in 55 innings. 40 strikeouts. I think he's one of the most underrated pitchers in the majors.

Here are his stats in his six starts:

3 W, 1 L, 39.2 IP, 8 ER, 29 K, 14 BB, 1.82 ERA, 1.13 WHIP

The only blight for Rusch this season is the high number of walks, but he made up for that by only giving up 31 hits in these six starts. His worst start was his first, where he only went 4 2/3 innings and gave up 8 hits. Even then, he only gave up two earned runs. In no start has he given up more than two earned runs, and he's given up just two total in his last three starts, covering 24 innings.

Please extend this man's contract.

How about them Cubbies? Does anybody think that maybe the Central Division is way stronger than anybody thinks? The Cubs have struggled all year, until they head out West to play these supposedly strong teams, and then it's lights out, even though they're missing about 40% of their pitching staff. Although suppose maybe the West just ain't up to snuff.

Joyful as I am with our seven game winning streak, how frustrating is it when your two most bitter rivals, the two teams that bring that taste of bile to Cubs fans mouths, also happen to have the two best records in the Major Leagues. Grrrr....