Cincinnati at Chicago

The Cubs have been on a serious slide and have lost eight of their last ten. It is no coincidence that the slide began when Alfonso Soriano went down with an injury. Soriano completed his first two months as a Cub with just four HR'S and 12 RBI'S. The Cubs were eight games under .500. Then he caught fire and the Cubs did as well, as he blasted 14 HR'S over the next two months hitting .308 in the process. It is no secret the Cubs struggle vs. LHP and stand just 10-18 on the season. The Cubs pound RHP to the tune of over 5 runs per game, but against LHP they score just 3.3 a game. They are just 2-7 in their last nine vs. lefties, and a team average of .246 on the season (with just 21 HR's)is the reason why. To put that .246 team average in perspective, they have 13 players hitting .266 or higher vs. RHP, so that's 13 players over their combined team average vs. LHP! That is why Soriano is an integral part of the offense. The Reds, generally have an awful record without Harang on the mound, but there is one exception. They are 5-3 with Livingston on the hill, the only other pitcher they sport a .500+ record in his starts. The Reds have a much better record of late, and are a vastly improved team from the beginning of the season. They stand at 23-19 over their last 42, and are certainly capable of getting the sweep here.