Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs were able to bounce back from yesterday's devastating loss by beating the Los Angeles Dodgers behind the strong outing of Paul Maholm, 5-4.

Here is what we learned after this Cubs victory.

Starlin Castro has quickly established himself as one of the best shortstops in the league.

He led the National League in hits (207) and at-bats (674), and also popped 10 home runs while collecting 66 RBI. His slash line of .307/.341/.432 was also very impressive.

Early in this season, Castro is putting up great numbers.

He's played in all 17 games, while driving in eight runs and posting a line of .358/.389/.478.

The Chicago Cubs poured it on the Reds 6-1 today as their bats finally came alive to end their losing streak at six.

Paul Maholm earned his first victory in a Cubs uniform, and the Cubs were finally able to prosper with runners in scoring position.

Here is what we learned from this Cubs win.

Heading in to the 2012 campaign, Chicago Cub fans should be excited about the talent they have at the minor league level.  They have a couple of top prospects who are already making a major impact in spring training, and Cub fans should not forget these names once the regular season hits.  

Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez is having a good season after an awful start, no question. But it's fool's gold, with the gold going to Ramirez and Cubs GM Jim Hendry the fool.

For if Ramirez's season leads Hendry to either pick up his club option at $16 million for 2012, or motivates him to sign an extension, then this otherwise solid season by Ramirez will actually be a negative for the Cubs in the long run.

Ryan Dempster was Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade's biggest supporter last season, openly lobbying for Quade to get the interim tag removed from his title. But perhaps he's second-guessing himself now.

The WGN cameras caught Dempster and Quade in a heated argument after Quade informed the Cubs starter that he was being lifted for a pinch-hitter after the fifth inning.

Ryan Dempster was a roller coaster ride last year. Check out his ERA by month:

April: 2.75
May: 4.54
June: 3.24
July: 5.03
August: 2.89
September/October: 4.59

This year Dempster started off in the outhouse with a 9.58 ERA in April. He then went 3-1 with a 3.08 ERA in May and 1-2 with a 3.13 ERA in June. I wouldn’t quite call that the penthouse, but he has his numbers at least looking respectable at 5-6 with a 4.99 ERA and 1.41 WHIP.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster allowed seven earned runs for the second consecutive start on Thursday, recording just one out before being yanked. Along the way he walked four, hit a batter and yielded four hits, including a grand slam to Stephen Drew.

This year, like every other, will provide us with season-ruining busts and the championship making prospects. To help you out, the following are the top five players you should, and still can target to ensure success in your fantasy league. Note: the following rankings and stats are based off of Yahoo! Fantasy Sports Leagues. For a more complete ranking of fantasy players go to Jackman Sports' Rankings found here.

The Chicago Cubs may have thrown the 1918 World Series, an Associated Press report suggested Wednesday.

In fact, it appears that the 1919 White Sox—later known as the Black Sox after several players were found to have thrown their World Series a year later—maybe have gotten the idea from the Cubs the season before.