It's good to have a day off. Nobody likes working 13 days in a row, and we seem to need the rest after losing a series to the worst (well... TIED with the worst) team in baseball, the Washington Nationals. It saddens me to think, that had they not beat the Cubs they would in fact be in the cellar.

But with each new day is another chance at a new beginning, and we'll need that to counter the losing series against the Brewers we had to kickstart this 2008 season. The Brewers have always been that team that I used to root for when I wasn't rooting for the Cubs. In fact, I still own a couple Brewers hats. I keep them turned upside down, one in my office and one in my closet at home (did I mention that I'm a tad bit supersticious?) ... but there will be no cheering for the Milwaukee natives this week. What used to be considered a hapless team butting heads with the Pirates for last place in the Central Division, has blossomed into quite a competitor that keeps getting better and better each and every year, and has sparked a new and great rivalry for all of baseball. Many of us Cubs fans love traveling to the beer yeast-smelled city to catch a Cubs game. In fact, I can get home from Miller Park in less time than it takes for me to return from Wrigley. It's a great place to catch a game, not to mention the great ticket availability! Maybe next time Milwaukee , but this time I'm shopping for my tickets to Wrigley. My goal for Wednesday: Me, a sign and ESPN at prime time.

The most interesting part of this upcoming series will be the great pitching match-ups (hope you like righties). Tomorrow night we're looking at Ben Sheets (3-0 0.96 era) vs. Jason Marquis (1-0 3.47 era). Sheets is always a tough, but Marquis is starting to look more impressive with each outing. On Wednesday it appears to be Jeff Suppan (1-0 3.48 era) vs. Dumpster (3-0 2.90 era). Suppan's only win this seaons came against the Cubbies, but I have faith in Dumpster that he can overcome the man. Finally on Thurday afternoon, we'll close the series with big Z on the mound (4-1 2.21 era) as he takes on Yovani Gallardo (0-0 0.64 era), who's only reason for not having any wins has been the lack of bats to back him up in each of his starts. With allowing only 1 run in 14 innings, he'll be a match for even Zombrano.

It gets better, because then we head to St. Louis ! This week is make or break for our first place status in the Central. The negative thinker dreads this postition while the positive thinker embraces it, so let it be heard by me and for all... BRING ON RIVALRY WEEK!!