Last year's struggles against lefties (they were 19-24 in games when the other team started a lefty) were perplexing, and the Cubs figured to be better against left-handers this year, if for no other reason that their lineup is dominated by right-handed batters.

Left fielder Alfonso Soriano and shortstop Ryan Theriot, both right-handed hitters, provide a potent 1-2 punch at the top of the lineup. In the middle, first baseman Derrek Lee and third baseman Aramis Ramirez both bat right-handed.

Catcher Geovany Soto, perhaps the front-runner to be Rookie of the Year, bats right-handed. The main lefty in the lineup is right fielder Kosuke Fukudome. The Cubs have probably the best platoon in baseball in center field, with left-handed-hitting Jim Edmonds and righty Reed Johnson. The bench is balanced with left-handed hitters Daryle Ward and Mike Fontenot and right-handed batters Ronny Cedeno and Henry Blanco.

CUBS 6, PHILLIES 4: 3B Aramis Ramirez hit a grand slam with nobody out in the eighth inning to rally the Cubs from 4-2 down. PH Mike Fontenot began the inning with a homer. RHP Ryan Dempster started and worked six innings, giving up eight hits and four runs. LHP Sean Marshall and RHP Bob Howry (6-4) held the Phillies until the Cubs rallied, and RHP Kerry Wood picked up his 28th save.