Phil Rogers has his All City Team. You knew a sympathy pick had to be thrown in some where right?

Starting pitchers: Mark Buehrle, Sox; Matt Clement, Carlos Zambrano and Greg Maddux, Cubs

Notice anyone missing? It was supposed to be Mark Prior and Kerry Wood carrying the Cubs, of course, but they have been healthy enough to make only 11 starts between them. That hasn't stopped Larry Rothschild's rotation from compiling a 3.47 earned-run average, the best in the majors. Zambrano is holding opponents to a .214 batting average, Clement has worked at least six innings in 12 of his last 13 starts and Maddux has recovered from a shaky start by putting together a 3.12 ERA the last 12 times out. He has moved within five victories of 300 and has a chance to win 15-plus games for the 17th consecutive season. Pretty good fifth starter, huh?

Buehrle's 7-2 record is largely the result of his run support, but, as usual, he has been a pleasure to watch. He's giving up more hits than usual but allowing fewer walks. His workload always causes concern, but he has increased his ratio of strike outs per nine innings to 7.0 from 4.6 in 2003.

Thats the only good thing Phil could say about Buehlre, that he is 7-2. His ERA is 4.49, he has given up 122 hits in 104 IP, and opponents are hitting .293 off him. But he has been healthy.

The rest of the list is mostly Cubs also.

UPDATE: Cubs Now! has a take on this.

Read it and the most startling thing is his listing Mark Buehrle as the best starting pitcher in Chicago (as well as Zambrano fourth). How is that justified?

I dont think Phil was listing it as #1, #2, etc. Just happened to be that way when he wrote it.

Also note that he lists Hawkins as a set up guy. Umm, not for the last three weeks or so, Phil. Pure Hackery.

To Shingo Takatsu's credit he is living up to his nick name of Mr. Zero. The first thing most people will say is who in the hell is he? He is Japans career saves leader and features a nasty changeup. He didn't come over with the media attention that Nomo, Ichiro or the Matsui's did. Currently in 27 IP he has a 1.00 ERA, .70 Whip, a .133 OppBA, and only given up 12 hits. Basically the man is near unhittable, I would want him as our closer also.