By week's end the Cubs had done it again, going 3-3 during a week when they had an opportunity to do so much more. Save last week's disastrous 1-5 stint, this game of even up has been the team's way in 2005. It may only be mid-May, but fourth place in a division with only one team over .500 is ignominious at best. But enough wallowing - on to the Enemy!

1. St. Louis Cardinals

   Season Record	24-13
   Week's Record	5-2
   Games Back	--
   Change	+1.5

   When is a week when you're three games over .500 a lousy one? Why, when you also lose Scott Rolen to a shoulder injury, of course. If there's good news to be found, it's that the time off may give them a chance to fix his balky knee as well, thus allowing him to come back at full strength when he does return. That, and the fact that there's no team in the division even close to being in a position to make a run while Rolen's on the shelf.

2. Milwaukee Brewers

   Season Record	18-18
   Week's Record	3-3
   Games Back	5.5
   Change	-1.5

   Proving once again that Closers aren't born, or even made, but rather, found between the cushions of the corner booth at Denny's, Derrick Turnbow is quietly mowing down the National League in his newfound role, sporting a 1.63 ERA while giving up 5 hits and 3 walks over 11 IP, while striking out 13. Not bad for an October waiver claim.

3. Pittsburgh Pirates

   Season Record	17-19
   Week's Record	4-2
   Games Back	6.5
   Change	-0.5

   Since when is a 17-19 team resurgent? When they go 9-3 over their last twelve games while outscoring their opponents 64-33, that's when. Don't misunderstand, this is still a bad team, but they just might not be the worst in the division when all's said and done, and unfortunately for Pirate fans, that's an accomplishment in itself.

4. Cincinnati Reds

   Season Record	14-23
   Week's Record	3-4
   Games Back	10.0
   Change	-2.0

   Give up 13 one day, score 11 the next. Allow 12 another day, return the favor on the morrow. Such is the life of a team leading the league in extra base hits, but with propane tanks for pitchers. Their R/G is only slightly lower than the one posted by Denver's anti-gravity squad, and that's a recipe for disaster in climes that don't require oxygen tanks.

5. Houston Astros

   Season Record	14-23
   Week's Record	3-4
   Games Back	10.0
   Change	-2.0

   Boy, things sure change fast. Thirteen days ago, this was a club with a fine pitching staff, on the cusp of .500, with their best offensive player due back any day. Lance Berkman has returned, sure, but now Jeff Bagwell is getting shoulder surgery, and the team has fallen 10 games back at the Ides of May. Most expected the Astros to fall off, but this far? This fast?