Is there any doubt that Carlos Zambrano has finally ascended to the top of the Cubs’ rotation? His loss Friday in Pittsburgh snapped a nine-game winning streak and was his first setback since May. By the way, will anyone want to play the suddenly loose Pirates in the second half? Expect them to do some serious spoiling for many a team’s playoff aspirations.

Oh baby! That was a seriously fine All-Star game last week. Sure, the whole “this time it counts” mantra is tiresome, but these past three midseason classics have really lived up to the title and been worth watching. The game has evolved into more than just a stupid fly-by followed by four hours of boredom. more