As the second half begins it seems both the Cubs & the White Sox are feeling the pressure of being in first place. They have both come out in the second a little sluggish and the teams chasing them have come out with fire.

Seventeen teams are still in the mix vying for eight playoffs spots. I can’t remember the last time there were so many contenders this late in the season. Of course most of the teams are pretenders; there might be some surprises come playoff time. Take the Cubs for instance; they opened up the second half having lost 4 of 6 including two of three from their old nemesis the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Monday’s game had a playoff atmosphere and a playoff type outcome. Future hall of famer Randy Johnson showed why he is still one of the greatest pitchers of our generation out pitching the newly acquired Rich Harden 2-0. Both the Brewers and the Cardinals are hot on the heels of the Cubs as the gap has closed and the Cubs division lead has dwindled to a single game. These three teams figure to fight it out for the remainder of the season.