The Gist: Weekend Sweep Edition

Friday: Cubs 3, D-Backs 1
Saturday: Cubs 7, D-Backs 2
Sunday: Cubs 6, D-Backs 4

After this weekend's sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks, I'm bursting with excitement like an 11 year old boy with his first ever Playboy. But just like that boy fears his mother walking in and catching him with porn, I'm afraid of getting my hopes up too much as well. The last time I felt this sense of pride and accomplishment was when the Cubs took both games from the Mets a few weeks ago. The Cubs then proceeded to go 4-9 over their next 13.

Regardless, the fact that the Cubs were able to sweep 3 games from arguably one of the most talented teams in the majors is huge. In a just-about perfect series, there were tons of things that went right:

• Sure, the Cubs were losing in all three games, but the fact that all three wins were come from behind victories is a silver lining.
• How awesome was Ted Lilly on Friday? If he can step up and pitch like last season and join Zambrano and Dempster as beeing quality starters, we'll be in good shape.
• Kerry Wood seems to have his swagger back, which is always a good thing.
• The Diamondbacks' NL leading offense? 7 runs and 13 hits total in 3 games. Pwned.
• Fukudome and Reed "The Pride Of Riverside" Johnson with big home runs. Please ignore Fukudome's home/road splits.
• Even though he didn't wind up going today, after being pulled from Game 1 of last year's ALDS against Arizona early, Carlos Zambrano was very well rested for todays start.
• Hey! We didn't get owned by a rookie pitcher on Saturday (Mad Max Scheizeizzrerzr).
  
• Lou's moves at the end of today's game to get Daryle Ward up with guys on was pretty smart. Good for him.

If the Cubs can string a few more series' like this one together, we can establish ourselves as the early team to beat in the NL.