When A Streak Is A Streak

Normally I start to think that a streak takes life when it's five games -- a complete turn of the rotation. At that point, everyone has contributed, which is really what makes a streak. That said, I wanted to wait an extra game in this case because the Cubs rotation mutated once again. A full rotation was six games, and I wanted to see whether Koronka could give them a chance to win. He did, but it also turns out that the rotation had little to do with it. I should have just posted this yesterday. Shame on me for doubting the hot bats.

It's safe to say, now, that barring severe relapse, the Cubs bottomed out a week ago. (That was the game when the Rockies waxed them, following up on the game where the Astros waxed them.) Since that abysmal performance, they're ripping hits to all fields. The most impressive thing is that it's been a balanced attack -- not balanced in the sense that everyone is hitting all the time but balanced like a major league lineup should be over the course of a series: RBIs from everywhere in the middle of the order, and occasionally hits from the bottom cashed in as RBIs from the top.

So this is a real streak now, even if it ends this weekend. The Cubs outplayed their opponents every game and luck had nothing to do with it. It doesn't get much more fun to watch than that. I mean, they're winning, and it feels like it.

Maybe they can keep it going, too. Everyone is contributing right now. Even though Corey isn't getting RBIs, he's getting hits; even though Burnitz isn't getting many hits, he's getting RBIs. Everyone else is doing their thing, and more significant is that everyone is starting to know what their thing is supposed to be.

Still, let's keep things on a bit of an even keel -- just a little bit -- because there are still some issues with which they struggle. Most notably, they aren't drawing walks. When hot bats go cold, walks help temper the adjustment. The other problem is that the bullpen is still allowing walks -- not at as alarming a pace as earlier but enough to concern us. Past that, though, they have all the qualities of a team that will compete. Not dominate, but compete. If they're finding their stride now, the interleague series will be fun again. June can be when Cubs baseball becomes fun again. I guess it only took 8 months to rid the taste of last September.

For what it's worth, we might find out something about Sergio Mitre this weekend when he pitches in his hometown. A good performance there should give him a lot of positive momentum. Of course, if the Padres knock him around a bit he'll probably be more embarrassed than usual. Whatever happens, I think that for Mitre this is more important than just another start. For a kid trying to earn a spot on a major league roster, the circumstances will amplify the results.

All in all, though, things look better, and not just because they've added +6 to their record. They're developing some personality, too. They're loosening up a little bit. You can see it in how they carry themselves. This team looks like a baseball team again. Since it was only a matter of time, it's better late than never, and better now than after a west coast road trip.