Carlos Zambrano was clearly the better pitcher and the Chicago Cubs were clearly the superior team, and they proved why they have the best record in the National League on Tuesday.  They dismantled the Milwaukee Brewers 7-1 behind a dominating start by Carlos Zambrano and an embarrassing performance by Ben Sheets, who gave up 6 runs on 11 hits in 5.1 innings.  The Milwaukee offense did little worth writing down.  Chicago scored 5 in the sixth off of seven straight hits and an Alfonso Soriano sac fly.  The Brewers bullpen did fairly well, as Carlos Villanueva pitched 1.2 shutout innings, Guillermo Mota pitched 1.2 innings and gave up a single run, and Brian Shouse finished off the Cubs’ ninth.  Chicago’s Jeff Samardzija pitched the ninth and gave up 1 run off an RBI double by Mike Cameron.

Offensive MVP:  Cubs 3B Aramis Ramirez (4-5/2R/0HR/1RBI/0BB/0K)

Pitching MVP: Cubs SP Carlos Zambrano (8IP/5H/0ER/2BB/9SO/0HR)

My Take:

So much for the Sabathia/Sheets one-two punch.  Surprisingly enough, I am not all too shocked, disgusted, or angered by this loss.  It will put the Brewers at 60-47, shave their Wild Card lead even further down, and shove them to 3.0 games out of first.  The Cubs are the better team right now.  There.  I said it.  Today and yesterday’s games should most certainly prove it.  Can Milwaukee resurrect the series with wins tomorrow and Thursday?  Yes.  Are they hard-pressed to do so?  It will be nearly impossible, as Miller Park is offering next to no home-field advantage at all, with what seems to be at least 45% Chicago fans present.  If they play as lackluster as they did tonight, I would not be the least bit surprised if they go to Atlanta coming off a 4 game sweep.