After going 0-4 against the Brewers back on May 3, Aramis Ramirez was hitting .228/.324/.435, and battling a couple of minor injuries. I remember being frustrated that the Cubs wouldn't rest him for a week or so, even put him on the DL for a short stint, so that he could heal and play full strength.

Well, starting the next day, when he went 2-4 with a double, Aramis has been on a tear not seen since ... well, Derrek Lee's been doing it all year, too. In fact, it might be fair to say that the slow start is the only thing seperating Ramirez's and Lee's numbers this year. After a two-homer, five-RBI game last night, Ramirez is hitting .310/.366/.599 for the season, with 24 HR and 69 RBI.

It's unfair in a way; if it weren't for Lee's unbelievable year, we'd all be talking about how great Ramirez has been. He's now second (behind Lee) in the NL in extra base hits, and is third in the Majors (behind Lee and Pujols) in SLG. Admittedly, the Triple Crown talk is a bit of a stretch - it's tough to imagine Ramirez contending for a batting title - but the HR and RBI lead is well within his reach. If I were Derrek Lee, I'd watch my back.