Sveum says it has to be Camp & Russel & I have to agree. They’ve pitched long relief, short, set up, closer whatever they’ve been asked.

Who’s your first half Most Valuable Player for the Cubs? Manager Dale Sveum picked relievers Shawn Camp and James Russell.

Camp was 2-4 with a 2.86 ERA and one save, while Russell was 2-0 with a 2.43 ERA entering Sunday. Russell had a 2.30 ERA in 101 games since the start of 2011, the second-lowest mark by a National League left-hander.

“Those guys have been phenomenal in the first half,” Sveum said. “Without those two guys, we would’ve been in a lot of trouble. The combination of both of them has been tremendous. They’ve been consistent all season long. To have the numbers they have, and handle a position they’ve been put in [that they aren’t used to] speaks volumes for what they’ve done for this team this year.”

Both helped fill in when closer Carlos Marmol was injured and ineffective. Hitters were batting .234 off Camp, .237 off Russell entering Sunday.