Let's speculate on Cubs v. Dodgers

[Warren Brusstar]

The Dodgers have already said that Lowe and Billingsly will start the first two games of the LDS, so that would mean:

 

Game 1 - Dempster v. Lowe

Game 2 - Zambrano v. Billingsly

 

Games 3 and 4 would seem to fall to Kuroda, Kershaw, or Maddux. Maddux has been terrible since joining the Dodgers but Torre loves him some veterans.

 

It seems we will have huge pitching advantages in LA (Harden and Lilly are better than any of the three Dodger starters), but I'm worried about the first two games. Lowe has been arguably the best pitcher in baseball over the last 50 days. Since August 11, he's allowed 6 earned runs -- total -- in 57.2 innings. That's good. And in September, he's allowed 2 earned runs -- total -- in 30.1 IP.

 

If the Cubs can beat Lowe in Game 1, I think they have a very good chance to win it in 3-4 games. But that's going to be a very difficult task.

[rocket]

i don't like the idea of zambrano vs. manny for some reason.

[Little Slide Rooter]

The Dodgers have already said that Lowe and Billingsly will start the first two games of the LDS, so that would mean:

 

Game 1 - Dempster v. Lowe

Game 2 - Zambrano v. Billingsly

 

Games 3 and 4 would seem to fall to Kuroda, Kershaw, or Maddux. Maddux has been terrible since joining the Dodgers but Torre loves him some veterans.

 

It seems we will have huge pitching advantages in LA (Harden and Lilly are better than any of the three Dodger starters), but I'm worried about the first two games. Lowe has been arguably the best pitcher in baseball over the last 50 days. Since August 11, he's allowed 6 earned runs -- total -- in 57.2 innings. That's good. And in September, he's allowed 2 earned runs -- total -- in 30.1 IP.

 

If the Cubs can beat Lowe in Game 1, I think they have a very good chance to win it in 3-4 games. But that's going to be a very difficult task.

 

If we can get Good Zambrano and 7 Inning Harden, the Dodgers, or any other NL team wont stand a chance.

[inari]

IIRC, we've never ever had success against Derek Lowe.

[UMFan83]

The Dodgers worry me quite a bit (but it's me so..)

 

The Dodgers have the best ERA of ANY team against the Cubs this year (2.49)

 

Their best starters have all shutdown the Cubs this year (except Billingsley, who has been a lot better in the second half). Lowe especially has pretty much had his way with us.

 

If we play them, expect all low scoring games that will be decided by timely hitting and the pen.

 

On first glance, I say the Cubs win in 5, but with the games all likely being close and low scoring, one or two key plays or ABs can shift the series either way.

 

Here are the Dodgers starters against the Cubs this year:

 

Lowe: 2 GS, 1-0 1.93 ERA, 14 IP, 10 H, 4 BB, 3 ER, 1.00 WHIP

Kuroda: 2 GS, 1-0, 0.59 ERA, 15.1 IP, 11 H, 3BB, 1 ER, 0.91 WHIP

Billingsley: 2 GS, 0-1, 4.91 ERA, 11 IP, 11 H, 5 BB, 6 ER, 1.45 WHIP

Kershaw: Haven't faced

[AlwaysaCub]

IIRC, we've never ever had success against Derek Lowe.

 

He pitched a 1 hitter against us in 2005.

 

He shut us out over 7 on 4 hits, 2 walks back in late May but we won 2-1 in 10:

 

He gave up 3 over 7 on 6 hits, 2 walks as Z imploded for a 7-3 loss.

 

So he's tough for us, yes.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Lowe has a 4.42 ERA outside of Dodger Stadium this year.

 

The whole Dodger team can't pitch on the road.

[bukie]

The Dodgers have a 2.49 ERA against the Cubs this year and still went 2-5 against them.

[anabiono]

The Dodgers have a 2.49 ERA against the Cubs this year and still went 2-5 against them.

 

the dodgers have furcal back

 

not to mention

 

blake and manny

 

i am starting to believe we all might be in for a tremendous let down in a few days

[bukie]

The Dodgers have a 2.49 ERA against the Cubs this year and still went 2-5 against them.

 

the dodgers have furcal back

 

not to mention

 

blake and manny

 

i am starting to believe we all might be in for a tremendous let down in a few days

 

The Cubs have Soriano back

 

not to mention Harden

 

Some people need to realize the games this week mean very little, and the Cubs still have gone 3-3 on the road against teams fighting for their playoff lives.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The Dodgers have a 2.49 ERA against the Cubs this year and still went 2-5 against them.

 

the dodgers have furcal back

 

not to mention

 

blake and manny

 

i am starting to believe we all might be in for a tremendous let down in a few days

 

I remember back in 1998 when I was all excited because the Braves were 3-6 against the Cubs in the regular season.

 

I wouldn't be a letdown for me if the Cubs lose, because I know in baseball there's a good minority of the time that the best team just doesn't win.

[anabiono]

The Dodgers have a 2.49 ERA against the Cubs this year and still went 2-5 against them.

 

the dodgers have furcal back

 

not to mention

 

blake and manny

 

i am starting to believe we all might be in for a tremendous let down in a few days

 

I remember back in 1998 when I was all excited because the Braves were 3-6 against the Cubs in the regular season.

 

I wouldn't be a letdown for me if the Cubs lose, because I know in baseball there's a good minority of the time that the best team just doesn't win.

 

for any other team in any other circumstance...maybe

 

but this is the cubs

 

how in the world would cub fans not be letdown this year, with the team they have?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Because we know the best team doesn't always win

[ChiCubsFan]

Because we know the best team doesn't always win

 

And that means you're not letdown? That's absolutely absurd.

[bukie]

Because we know the best team doesn't always win

 

And that means you're not letdown? That's absolutely absurd.

 

No, it means that the team losing doesn't necessarily mean a letdown. It can still be disappointing, but not all that absurd.

[ChiCubsFan]

letdown:

 

1. a decrease in volume, force, energy, etc.: a letdown in sales; a general letdown of social barriers.

2. disillusionment, discouragement, or disappointment: The job was a letdown.

3. depression; deflation: He felt a terrible letdown at the end of the play.

 

If that wouldn't apply to you if the Cubs get eliminated in the first round of the 2008 MLB playoffs, then you are not a Cubs fan.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Sorry, I've been through enough playoff losses that I refuse to be letdown if they lose.

 

The Cubs were the best team in the National League, they've proved it, and I'm happy with that.

 

It'd be cool if they won, but I refuse to be disappointed or let down if they lose.

[Guest]

The Dodgers have already said that Lowe and Billingsly will start the first two games of the LDS, so that would mean:

 

Game 1 - Dempster v. Lowe

Game 2 - Zambrano v. Billingsly

 

Games 3 and 4 would seem to fall to Kuroda, Kershaw, or Maddux. Maddux has been terrible since joining the Dodgers but Torre loves him some veterans.

 

It seems we will have huge pitching advantages in LA (Harden and Lilly are better than any of the three Dodger starters), but I'm worried about the first two games. Lowe has been arguably the best pitcher in baseball over the last 50 days. Since August 11, he's allowed 6 earned runs -- total -- in 57.2 innings. That's good. And in September, he's allowed 2 earned runs -- total -- in 30.1 IP.

 

If the Cubs can beat Lowe in Game 1, I think they have a very good chance to win it in 3-4 games. But that's going to be a very difficult task.

 

Sounds like Maddux will be the 4th starter.

[Guest]

Furcal is 0 for 5 since coming back from the DL. Jeff Kent has done better since coming off the DL (3 for 6, one HR) but probably won't start. Takashi Saito has given up 3 ER in 4.2 IP (6 K, 4 BB) since coming back from the DL.

[ChiCubsFan]

Sorry, I've been through enough playoff losses that I refuse to be letdown if they lose.

 

The Cubs were the best team in the National League, they've proved it, and I'm happy with that.

 

It'd be cool if they won, but I refuse to be disappointed or let down if they lose.

 

Wow. More power to you, I guess.

[Ski]

If you don't commit suicide if the Cubs lose in the first round you're not a Cubs fan.

[ChiCubsFan]

If you don't commit suicide if the Cubs lose in the first round you're not a Cubs fan.

 

:-))

[rocket]

Sorry, I've been through enough playoff losses that I refuse to be letdown if they lose.

 

The Cubs were the best team in the National League, they've proved it, and I'm happy with that.

 

It'd be cool if they won, but I refuse to be disappointed or let down if they lose.

 

boy, not me.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

It'd be different if this were football or hockey or basketball, and the best team had a right to expect to win.

 

Even if the Cubs were 2:1 favorites in both rounds (and nobody should be that big of a favorite in a baseball series), they'd still be favored to not make it to the World Series.

 

Face it: The odds are that the Cubs will lose in the national league playoffs. No reason to be disappointed if what the odds say should happen happens.

[bukie]

It'd be different if this were football or hockey or basketball, and the best team had a right to expect to win.

 

Even if the Cubs were 2:1 favorites in both rounds (and nobody should be that big of a favorite in a baseball series), they'd still be favored to not make it to the World Series.

 

Face it: The odds are that the Cubs will lose in the national league playoffs. No reason to be disappointed if what the odds say should happen happens.

 

Even if expected, though, it can still be disappointing. Doesn't make what the Cubs have done this year not be great, though.