Cubs Second Half Talking Points Revisited

Last week I wrote about a few things I'd be looking for in the second half of the Cubs season. As it turns out, many of these questions have already been answered. Some answers were the ones I was looking for, and others I weren't. Here's those points revisited.
Lou Piniella's Demeanor: So we've finally found how why Sweet Lou has been so calm this year. Many have suspected he's mellowing with old age, or simply taking things slower and appreciating the game more. Turns out he's appreciating retirement a little early. You can only get so frustrated watching a team that continues to fail, and Lou realizes this.
Don't act like any of you wouldn't coast through your last year on the job. Remember Thursday two weeks ago when you had that Friday off? You didn't give it your all either. Lou's doing the same thing. He just so happens to have side stepped criticism because the team's woeful record isn't the result of his managerial decisions. It's also kind of hard to criticize a guy who has managed for 23 seasons, has amassed a .519 winning percentage to date, has won three Manager of the Year Awards, and one World Series.
Carlos Silva's Record: I speculated that Silva's luck would end this second half, and unfortunately I appear to be right. Coming off his worst outing of the year against the Dodgers, Silva tried his best to match that in his first start after the All-Star break. Against the Astros, who are at the bottom of every major offensive statistical category this year, Silva needed 41 pitches just to get through the first inning. He gave up five earned runs on seven hits and two walks. His record has now dropped to 9-4 and his ERA has shot up to 3.86.
Aramis Ramirez's Run Production: Let's talk about something positive, shall we. Aramis Ramirez carried over his hot streak into the second half of the season. In the seven games since the All-Star break, Ramirez's numbers have been mind boggling: .379 BA, 5 HR, 15 RBIs. With Derrek Lee picking it up as well, one can only dream about how this season might have turned out if they had produced and remained healthy in the first half.
Marlon Byrd's Approach at the Plate: As expected, not much has changed. However, that's not a bad thing. Byrd was an All-Star after all. He's still falling behind early in counts but has shown an increased willingness to take a walk. In fact, he's walked four times in the last seven games, compared to the 14 times he walked in the first half, this can be considered progress. Byrd has been in a little bit of a funk at the plate lately though. He's batting .260 in the last seven games, but that's due mainly to a brutal Houston series where he went 2-13.
Division Record: Their struggles within the NL Central continue, as the Cubs dropped two of three to the 5th place Astros. Their season record against the Astros now sits at 3-6, and overall division record is 16-27. This doesn't bode well for their next series match up against the Cardinals.

Home Record: This is a positive if we're stretching for positives. The Cubs have won 4 of their last 7 at home, but it hardly seems satisfying when we drop two of three to the Astros. Maybe the Cubs should just start playing all of their home games at Miller Park in Milwaukee. The Cubs are 44-32 at Miller Park since its opening. That would be the type of home field advantage they need. The park is already packed with Cubs fans as it is.