In spite of yesterday’s disappointing loss, the Cubs still got out of Atlanta with a 1-1 split.

It’s true the Cubs failed to convert on many opportunities, leaving seven runners on base, not to mention Randall Simon’s boneheaded baserunning in the eighth inning. But there are a lot of good signs coming out of these first two games.

First, these Cubs are not the patsies of 1998. They have the outstanding starting pitching to keep them in the games in spite of the lack of offensive pop. Wood obviously was phenomenal and Zambrano kept the Cubs in it in spite of being too high in the zone with a lot of his pitches and making a few mistakes. The much-feared Zambrano meltdown did not happen.

The Cubs failed to convert a bunch of scoring opportunities, but the good news is that they had scoring opportunities. They’ve showed a lot of patience so far, taking 13 walks. Sosa, in particular, has made himself a factor by refusing to swing at the high fastballs and low-and-away breaking balls that he simply cannot hit. I also think it’s a great sign that the Cubs were able to tie it up against Smoltz, proving to themselves that it’s not “game over” when he comes in to close it.

In other words, some losses hurt more than others. At least the Cubs did not lose a crushing hearbreaker like last night’s Red Sox 12th-inning loss to the A’s on a bases loaded squeeze play.

And Dusty’s not the only one who feels good about coming back home with Mark Prior going in game three. Prior is to Cubs wins what Estes is to Cubs losses. He’s almost an automatic W. This Braves offense is clearly containable, and Maddux is hittable. Ortiz has been announced for game four, which I think is good news. He wriggled off the hook several times in game one and, if the Cubs stay patient, can be knocked out early.

He will be going on three days’ rest against a fresh Matt Clement. Given the matchups and the fact the Cubs really should have won both games, I think they’ve got a great chance to end this series in Wrigley. And in spite of the great turnout at Wrigely South — er, Turner Field — I think we’d all be happy to wait ’til next year to hear that damn song again.