--CF Reed Johnson did most of the leading off when LF Alfonso Soriano was on the disabled list in April with a strained right calf. That's one option for the Cubs over the next six weeks.
"Everybody knows that's a comfortable spot for me in the order, in the leadoff spot," Johnson said. "I've been hitting eighth a lot, which is becoming a little more comfortable for me. Wherever I play shouldn't change my approach or change any hitter's approach." Johnson is batting .267 with a .342 on-base percentage. The Cubs are 8-4 when Johnson leads off.
--SS Ryan Theriot's double was his first double at home since May 16. He was 2-for-5, extending his home hitting streak to 10 games. Theriot also is an option to lead off in LF Alfonso Soriano's absence, as he has a .400 on-base percentage.
--INF/OF Mark DeRosa moved from second base to left field after LF Alfonso Soriano's injury. The versatile DeRosa could see significant time in left, with Mike Fontenot playing more second base. Eric Patterson, who might be called up, also has extensive second base experience in the minor leagues.
--RHP Ryan Dempster won his eighth consecutive decision at Wrigley Field, raising his record to 8-2 and lowering his ERA from 2.90 to 2.81. Because he was in the bullpen the last three years as closer, the Cubs may pitch him on a sixth or even a seventh day once or twice before the All-Star break to keep his arm fresh.
--INF/OF Micah Hoffpauir impressed manager Lou Piniella during an 11-game stint from the middle of May to early June. Hoffpauir batted .421 with three doubles. He can play first base and both outfield corners, and he might get a shot at playing left field in the absence of Alfonso Soriano. Hoffpauir also could see some time at DH during games at Toronto, Tampa Bay and against the White Sox in their park.
BY THE NUMBERS: 3.99 -- ERA of the Cubs' starting pitchers entering the week. Quality starts had been few and far between lately, and the bullpen had been carrying the pitching, with a 3.12 ERA through Sunday.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "These guys are competitors, and they want to do well, and they want to win. I'd rather have a guy who gets upset than a guy that does it with a smile, like he doesn't care." -- Manager Lou Piniella, after Carlos Zambrano's dugout tirade last Saturday in Los Angeles, where Zambrano took out his anger on a pair of Gatorade jugs.
