By Christopher Reina At RealGM, we use the Field Impact Counter (FIC) to objectively measure how effectively teams are performing.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, who has been among the National League’s leaders at the position since the start of balloting, is in a tight race with the surging Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers in the final weekly balloting update for the 79th All-Star Game, to be played on Tuesday, July 15th at Yankee Stadium.

Cubs' starter Carlos Zambrano claims that he's ready to return to the mound for the team after throwing a pain-free bullpen session on Sunday, according to ESPN.

Cubs' third baseman Aramis Ramirez will miss the next three games as he tends to family matters back home in the Dominican Republic, according to The Chicago Sun-Times.

White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen wouldn't rule out ever taking a job with the crosstown Cubs if his current employer decided to fire him, according to The Chicago Tribune.

Cubs' Manager Lou Pinella was selected on Thursday to replace fired Mets' Manager Willie Randolph on the NL coaching staff for next month's MLB All-Star Game, according to The Associated Press.

Cubs' pitcher Carlos Zambrano is hoping to pitch for the National League at the All-Star Game next month, according to The Chicago Tribune.

With Carlos Zambrano on the shelf momentarily and the Cubs looking like legitimate playoff contenders, they appear ready to make a run at either C.

Ryan Dempster won his ninth straight this season at Wrigley Field, and Eric Patterson and Aramis Ramirez homered in the same inning for the Cubs, who beat the White Sox 7-1 to finish off a three-game sweep Sunday night, as reported by the Associated Press.

Carlos Zambrano said on Saturday that he was "a little bit" upset with the Cubs for placing him on the 15-day disabled list because of a shoulder injury, according to The Chicago Tribune.

No significant damage was found in the shoulder of Cubs' pitcher Carlos Zambrano, according to The Chicago Tribune.

Carlos Zambrano will miss his scheduled start for the Cubs on Tuesday against the Orioles, according to MLB.

Cubs Manager Lou Pinella plans to stick with outfielder Kosuke Fukudome as the leadoff hitter in the team's lineup, according to The Chicago Sun-Times.

The Chicago Cubs are reportedly still looking at Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp, according to The Boston Herald.

Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano left his start against the Rays on Wednesday night with shoulder discomfort, according to The Chicago Tribune.

Cubs' outfielder Alfonso Soriano will have his broken left hand re-examined Friday as he hopes to return to the team before the All-Star game, according to The Associated Press.

Blue Jays' pitcher A.

The Cubs beat the Braves 7-2 Wednesday night but lost leadoff hitter Alfonso Soriano for up to six weeks with a broken left hand after he was hit by a pitch, according to an Associated Press report.

Nine potential buyers who have been approved by Major League Baseball have received the financial books of the Chicago Cubs according to a report by The Associated Press.

Shortstop Miguel Tejada of the Houston Astros has overtaken Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins in National League balloting for the 79th All-Star Game.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban claims that he will "pull out all the stops" in his bid to buy the Cubs, according to The Chicago Tribune.

Chicago Cubs' second baseman Mark DeRosa said on Sunday that his team expects to be winning on a regular basis, according to The Daily Herald.

Alfonso Soriano homered, Jim Edmonds drove in two runs, and the Cubs beat the Rockies 5-3 on Sunday to complete a perfect 7-0 homestand, as reported by ESPN.