I keep hearing that Dempster is going to break down or that he's a question mark because he hasn't been a starter for 162 games in 4 or 5 seasons. Well, it's over the midway point in August and there are maybe 8 starts left in the regular season for Dempster, he has a top-5 ERA in the NL and he's in the top 5 in wins in NL. The window is closing for that to be true. Maybe it is still possible for him to completely self-destruct, but if you're using the aforementioned argument that has been brought up since mid-May, it's not good anymore.

If Carlos Zambrano doesn't turn it back on to where he's electric come the end of the season, I think I'd have to say that Dempster's the guy you trot out in game 1 of a playoff series. As much as Carlos' presence ignites the Cubs, Dempster's probably going to give you the most innings of any starter except Big Z on a great day and he gets key outs better than anyone in the rotation. I've seen this guy pitch three times at Wrigley Field and heard all about the kind of shape he is in and his monster work ethic. He only has trouble when he walks guys and even then I've seen him win those games. I'm convinced.

I heard a Cardinal fan at the game last Sunday mention Dempster being a fluke All-Star. If that's the case, why was this his second career All-Star game? He's clearly a talent and an example in the clubhouse that the Cubs will have to seriously consider giving new money to when his contract is up at the end of this season.

Awesome, game today by the way. I've got Reed Johnson's jersey in my online shopping cart and I'm incredibly tempted to hit buy. Outstanding. Just when you think the offense is dead you get pick-me-ups from Fontenot and Johnson. It's so clear to me now why he got a standing ovation in Toronto back in June. He'll get one from me if he should ever return to Wrigley in a visitor's uniform.