The Cubs Win...Again

It hadn't happened in 100 years.
The Chicago Cubs successfully defended their National League Central Division championship, and, as a result, they will play in consecutive postseasons for the first time since the 1907 and 1908 seasons. And this time, it certainly appears that they will not have to face the Arizona Diamondbacks. In fact, it seems, with only a week left in the regular season, that the Cubs will secure the home field advantage (considerable at the Friendly Confines) by virtue of the league's best record, and will then host the Wild Card winner. In all likelihood, the Wild Card will be the National League East loser. Milwaukee has slipped so badly that it's almost impossible to see them resurrecting their season.
The Cubs, under Lou Piniella, are lovable losers no longer. They are a big market team whose front office now acts like it. They have built a considerable team. They should represent the National League in the World Series, because they have been the league's best team all summer. Of course, baseball doesn't always work out the way it should. Pardon the cliche, but that's why they play the games.
The ability to play the games behind Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly and Rich Harden is the reason the Cubs are where they are. Kerry Wood seems to have a meltdown about once a week as their closer, but in the playoffs, once a week may not even roll around. Theirs is a balanced attack, with veterans like Derrek Lee and Mark DeRosa providing leadership, Aramis Ramirez providing Gold Glove defense and joining with Alphonso Soriano to deliver a basket of homers and rbis, and the enthusiasm of youth with Geo Soto, odds on favorite to be named NL Rookie of the Year, as a catcher no less!
I don't envy the Mets, Dodgers and Phillies (as it appears today) having to deal with these Cubs.