--3B Aramis Ramirez takes a seven-game hitting streak into Tuesday's series opener at Tampa Bay. Ramirez is 9-for-28 with a homer and four RBIs during the streak. He hit his 10th homer of the year Sunday in Toronto. It was Ramirez's first homer since May 26. Ramirez has an on-base percentage of .412, which is well above his career mark of .336 coming into this year.
--CF Jim Edmonds is currently riding a five-game hitting streak. Edmonds is 18-for-44 with two homers and 14 RBIs in his last 14 games dating to May 30. --OF Reed Johnson has made 14 starts as the leadoff man, and the Cubs are 10-4 in those games. Johnson figures to get the bulk of the time in the No. 1 spot with LF Alfonso Soriano out at least six weeks with a broken left hand. The challenge, according to manager Lou Piniella, will be for Johnson to get the proper rest during the time without Soriano.
--LHP Ted Lilly has won six of his last seven starts. Lilly opened the season with losses in his first three decisions and attributed the problem to a lack of arm strength. He says he's "pretty close" now to being back to 100 percent.
--RHP Ryan Dempster, who starts Tuesday night's series opener at Tampa Bay, is 3-4 with a 4.50 ERA in seven starts against the Rays. On the road this year, Dempster is 0-2 with a 2.59 ERA in five starts.
BY THE NUMBERS: 40 -- Number of walks 3B Aramis Ramirez took into this week. Ramirez's career high for walks in a single season is 50, set two years ago. He has become significantly more selective at the plate in 2008.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He came to camp ready to fight De La Hoya for 15 rounds. He was in shape. He was on a mission, and he's gotten off to a great start." -- Manager Lou Piniella, on the fast start of pitcher Ryan Dempster, who has gone from closer to starter.
