Three in a Row? Who are These Guys?

In the last week and a half, we have seen the Cubs have:

1. Three late-inning comebacks
2. Four oustanding pitching performances in a row (Zambrano, Prior, Rusch, Mitre)
3. Back-to-back Ryan Dempster saves (including a four-pitch, 1-2-3 ninth against the Astros)
4. Sergio Mitre beating Hall-of-Famer Roger Clemens
5. A winning streak! They actually exist!
   
6. Jason Dubois
   

Everyone breathe. Strange things are afoot at the Circle C(ubs). I think we need to take a moment to enjoy them. For the last three games, the Cubs have actually been fun to watch. For the last three games, I was actually glad that I didn't shatter my TV when Corey Patterson tried to catch that Konerko liner with the outside of his mitt. For three games, I didn't mind that Neifi Perez is still hitting second, despite his average dropping two thousand points over the past couple of weeks. At least it was better than Hollandsworth hitting second, for God's sake.

Is this the team even the most pessimistic Cubs fan hoped for in spring training? One that actually gave a damn about what was going on between the foul lines? One that had one or two clutch hits in a season? One that closed out a lead after a great pitching performance? One that beat the bad teams?

This is, at least, what I'd hoped for, despite the fact that I didn't think the team was particularly good going into the season. The Cubs are going for a three-game sweep of the hapless Astros tonight. A sweep would be their first of the season (I don't count two-game sweeps over the Pirates; sorry), and the four-game winning streak would double their previous record of two measly games in a row. The Cubs need a good start from Maddux, and they need to keep the momentum up. Eamus Catuli!

Remlinger, Leave the Goatee Alone

Ah, Mike Remlinger shaved his goatee off again. There are certain people who need facial hair. Grizzly Adams. Bob Vila. The Bearded Lady. And Mike Remlinger. Bearded Remlinger looks like an old-timey baseball player. You wouldn't be surprised if you saw him after the game wearing a tophat, coat, and one of those original "popped collars" like Bob Cratchit wore. Beardless Remlinger looks like your creepy uncle who hasn't shaved today and who tries to kiss you, but the scratching is unbearable. At least when you're young. I guess. Needless to say, Remlinger's beard is needed if I'm going to be forced to watch this bullpen all year. Please grow back the beard, Mike. You're making babies cry.