Something must be wrong in major league baseball right? We are less than two weeks away from the all-star break and the Chicago Cubs still sit atop of the National League Central standings. In fact my beloved Cubbies still have the best record in the National League.

To further confuse people, the Tampa Bay Rays, formerly known as the cellar dwelling Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the American League East, are at the top of the mountain in their division. And if you are still not convinced that something strange is going on, the Rays have the best record in the bigs and are coming off a three game sweep of the defending World Champion Boston Red Sox, who they now lead by three games heading into the weekend.

As the Rays seem to be getting comfortable in the drivers seat in a very tough division, the Cubs have fallen off mark the last couple weeks. After having their 14 game home winning streak snapped last week by the Baltimore Orioles, who have been a pleasant surprise through the first half of this season as well, the Central division leaders proceeded to get swept by cross-town rival and hated White Sox before splitting a four game set with the San Francisco Giants.

The lovable losers still carry a meager two and half game lead over the rival St. Louis Cardinals heading into this weekends three game series against the Red Birds. For a much needed extra lift, the north siders will have their ace of the pitching staff, Carlos Zambrano making his return from the disabled list in the opener Friday night. While on the DL, "Big Z" missed three starts and the Cubs lost all three of those games in which he was scheduled to start.

Also on the DL has been the $136 million man, Alfonso Soriano, who has missed the last three weeks after breaking his hand when hit by a pitch. Although this Cubs fan, feels the team is better off with their highest paid player watching from the dugout.

But then again I was calling Jim Hendry and all the Cubs higher-ups even name in the book for signing Jim Edmonds two months ago. The 38-year old, who I have called the "biggest cry baby" in all of baseball, on numerous times, has been rather impressive since joining the club. In 36 games, he has hit close to .300 with eight long balls and 24 RBIs and still is one of the best defensive center fielders in the game. Although I still believe that he cringes and starts to tear up every time he brushes up against the outfield wall or dives for a ball. But then again maybe that's just because he is pushing 40!

Now since my Celtics won their first NBA championship in 22 years last month, I most likely will not be lucky enough to have two championship teams in the same year, but I am still sticking to my pre-season prediction that the Cubs will finally win their first World Series in a century.

There are still some question marks on this years team, but I will make a bold prediction and say the Cubs nation is one trade away from securing that coveted championship. The one trade that will make "next year" this year is C.C. Sabathia. With the Cleveland Indians falling faster than the popularity of Isiah Thomas in New York, the big left hander will land in the blue and white pin stripes of the Cubs before the trading deadline.

With Sabathia and Zambrano the Cubs will possess a dominating 1-2 punch on the hill similar to the 2001 Diamondbacks when they had a healthy Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson. Only the Cubs duo will be a lot younger.

Sticking with my predictions, I will publicly go out on a limb and say the Colorado Rockies will get their act together and have a second half run just as they did a year ago and win the National League West. The Florida Marlins will come out of the East with the fighting Phillies winning the National League Wild Card. Setting up the Cubs against the Phills, who the Cubs will sweep, and the Rocks will take care of the Marlins. And the Cubs will take care of business in six games against the Rockies, with me in the stands.

Over in the junior circuit, my surprise pick will be the Texas Rangers surging ahead and winning the West, while the Twins will edge out the White Sox for the Central crown and the BoSox will overtake the upstart Rays in the East. But I still see the Rays making the post season, with a one game playoff against the Yankees for the Wild Card. Red Sox over the Rangers in the playoffs and the Rays over the Twins, and are you ready for this?? The Rays over the BoSox in a grueling seven games, with game seven going 14 innings and a former Cub, Cliff Floyd knocking in the game winning run, to set up the most unlikely World Series imaginable, the Cubs and Rays.

After being swept in the regular season by the Rays, the Cubs will return the favor, only starting a riot in the Windy City. With that being said, I am rooting hard for the American League to win the All-star game so that game four of the World Series will be at the greatest ball park ever, Wrigley Field.

One of my good "best buddies" made the prediction before the start of the season, that the World Series would be the Cubs and Royals and I laughed so hard that my drink just about came back out through my nose, so while typing this column I choose not to have anything to drink for that reason and I hope that none of you are either.

Travis David is a sports writer for the Greene County Daily World and can be reached at 812-847-4487 or by email at tdavid@gcdailyworld.com