Sweep Emotion
Castro's Key Hit, A-Ram's Homer Lead to 8-3 Win

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

It's been a while since we've been able to type the words "Cubs sweep" — since friggin' April, actually. But that's exactly what the North Siders did last night, winning their third straight against Arizona. Starlin Castro delivered a crucial two-run single, and Aramis Ramirez hit a three-run homer (his third in two games) to seal the deal. Ryan Dempster wasn't exactly awesome, but a win's a win... build up a little mojo before the All-Star break... it could happen, right?

ESPN Chicago: Cubs finish first sweep of D-backs in Arizona [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Cubs sweep Diamondbacks
Chicago Sun-Times: Ramirez, Cubs top D-backs 8-3
MLB: Cubs complete series sweep of D-backs [+ video]

Should He Stay Or...
Lilly Could be Big Apple Bound, Whispers Say
Even though the Cubs swept the Diamondbacks, they're still nine games under .500 and 10.5 games out of first place. So trade rumors are still swirling, and Newsday reports the Mets are interested in Ted Lilly. The rumor is, though, that the Mets are interested in paying off the $6 million left on Lilly's 2010 salary while giving up fewer prospects. This doesn't sit well with Agony & Ivy, which writes, "A pitcher like Ted Lilly should not be given away." A good point.

Yahoo! Sports: Cubs' Lilly Moving to Mets?
MLB Trade Rumors: Cubs are getting more serious about trades
Agony & Ivy: Seriously, Lilly has value

Out of the 'Seller'
Piniella Says Team Will Be Trading Soon
Cubs' GM Jim Hendry apparently dislikes the term "sellers," but Lou Piniella has no such qualms. The candid skipper said the Cubs will be looking to deal before the July 31 deadline. So Bruce Miles looks at trade candidates, and says the most likely to be dealt are Ted Lilly (no surprise), Fukudome (if someone will take him), and Geovany Soto (what the...?). Of the catcher, Miles says, "One of the few times GM Jim Hendry 'sold high' in a trade was with Mark DeRosa. You could get a similar return for Soto." Hmmm.

Daily Herald: Lou isn't afraid to say 'sellers'

The Marshall Plan
Statuesque Lefty Has Found His Niche
Given Sean Marshall's stellar numbers, including a 2.18 ERA and 49 Ks in 41.1 innings, we sometimes wonder: Why isn't he a starter? Another Cubs Blog crunched the numbers and determined Marshall is simply better coming out of the bullpen than he was as a starter. His ERA as a starter was a whopping 4.86, while it's a solid 2.73 as a reliever. Then there's this: Prior to this season, he struck out 16.3% of the batters he's faced. This year, it's nearly double that, up to 29.6%. OK, Sean. As you were.

Another Cubs Blog: The New Sean Marshall

Best of the Best
When It Comes to Managers, Tony Is on Top
Several baseball writers were asked who is the best manager in baseball over the last three decades, and the name that came up repeatedly is... grrrr... Tony LaRussa. "La Russa was the only one to have great success in each of the three decades with three teams in three very different situations," says Peter Schmuck (yes, that's really his name) of the Baltimore Sun. Joe Torre and Bobby Cox were also mentioned, but oddly, Jim Essian didn't make the cut.

Chicago Tribune: Who's the best baseball manager of the last 30 years?

Alfonso Soriano was hit by a pitch on the left elbow and left the game in the fifth inning... Recent call-up Brian Schlitter was put on the 15-day DL and replaced by Iowa pitcher Mitch Atkins... In the annual Road to Wrigley game, the Peoria Chiefs beat the Kane County Cougars 5-2.

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