In what seems like an eternity, the Cubs finally return from their longest road trip of the season and begin a six game home stand at Wrigley Field. The trip wasn’t all that bad either. After the White Sox returned the favor by sweeping the Cubs last weekend, the Cubs split four games with the Giants before taking two out of three from the hated Cardinals. Blowing a two run lead in the ninth Saturday was a little hard to watch, but overall it was a successful trip.

More important at this stage in the season is that the Cubs are starting to get healthy. Getting back ace Carlos Zambrano was huge and Friday night he showed he can carry a team, having pitched six shut out innings before giving way to the bullpen. The Cubs also got back leadoff hitter and team spark plug Reed Johnson who had been out for some time. What Reed lacks in numbers he more than makes up for with intangibles. Now word comes that Alfonso Soriano is doing light baseball drills, taking batting practice and looks to return to the lineup in the very near future.

Soriano’s return couldn’t come at a better time as the Milwaukee Brewers have made a blockbuster trade today and acquired last year’s American League Cy Young award winner C.C Sabathia. This move really shakes things up in the NL Central, because now the Cubs can’t just stand pat. It’s very likely they will go after a top of the rotation guy to solidify their starting pitching. It should be a great pennant race down the stretch.