Last season was probably one that Cubs Ace Mark Prior and the entire Cubs nation would like to forget about. After Prior missed a majority of last season because of an elbow injury, there was lots of speculation whether the current problem would become an issue that would bother him his entire career. After an early scare in Spring Training, I think it's safe to say that Mark Prior is finally allowing everyone to breathe a huge sigh of relief after six starts this season. Prior was nothing short of spectacular in his first three starts of the season, as the he mowed down batters to the tune of 7 strikeouts per nine innings. The three starts in April also included a 0.95 ERA and three consecutive wins in one of the top pitching performances of the entire month. Since April, the wins have started to slow down as Prior hasn't recorded a win since April 25th. However, what most people don't know about the winless streak is that two of the last three starts for Prior in May were games that he should have won if it wasn't for the ineptitude of the Cubs bullpen. While his stats may be impressive so far this year, it may be Prior's demeanor on the mound and his bulldog mentality to get out of pitching jams that keeps his name on the current list of top major league pitchers. His new bulldog mentality was shown early this season when Prior got himself into a jam against the Philadelphia Phillies. With the based loaded and zero outs in the second inning, Prior proceeded to strike out the entire Phillies side with a mix of hard cutting fastballs, and a barrage of hard breaking sliders. While the pitches and the strikeouts may mean nothing to the average fan, it may be Priors new "pitching for perfection" mentality that has him getting out of jams where he would have failed in previous seasons. Bullpen aside Prior has been nothing short of the same pitcher everyone knew and loved in 2003. With the exception of Carlos Zambrano, Prior has been the best pitcher on the Cubs "M*A*S*H" unit staff this year and remains one of a handful of pitchers that still puts fear into the hearts of hitters. Stats don't lie, and when you compare Prior's current numbers right now to his numbers from 2003, it gives the impression that the Cubbies Ace could be on his way to a possible CY Young this season. Mark Prior (2003): (18-6) 2.43 ERA 245 Strikeouts 1.10 WHIP Mark Prior (2005) Projected: 18-6 2.56 ERA 276 Strikeouts 1.06 WHIP If the projected numbers are anything close to what Mark Prior ends up with, we could be seeing the makings of a career year for the 23 year old. The only thing keeping Prior from posting these numbers is the reoccurrence of the elbow, and a lack of a closer to finish games. With Kerry Wood on the shelf for the next couple of weeks, and the possibility of Zambrano headed that way as well, everyone one of Prior's outings this season becomes a critical one for the Cubs. A current 17-19 record may not have Cubs fans dreaming of the postseason; but if Mark Prior keeps pitching the way he is and the bullpen saves a game once in a while, fans may just be dreaming of a CY Young come October.