NLDS Game 2: Dodgers (Billingsley) @ Cubs (Z!) TBS, 8:30 CST

[otis89]

Win, you bums. You're better than the Dodgers.

[wade]

I want Z to hit two homers in a Cub rout.

[SouthSideRyan]

We are going to win both games in LA. I am absolutely positive of that. To win the series, we have to then win tonight, or in Game 5.

 

Make it be tonight for the sake of my nerves.

 

Go Cubs. Effing win.

You think Lilly beats Lowe in game 4? Doubt it. The way I see it: Harden probably beats Kuroda, and Lowe probably beats Lilly. That means we need to beat Billingsley twice.

 

I think so, because by the time the Cubs face Lowe for a 2nd time, the Dodgers will be on the verge of elimination, and the season will be on his shoulders. So yes, I do think Lilly (and Dodger stadium is a perfect park for him) will beat Lowe when we get to that point.

 

And pitchers on short rest generally suck.

[C.C.]

Should be interesting to see if Lou scraps his Fukudome plan and starts Fontenot tonight.

 

I, for one, vote yes to Font.

 

I second that vote

[Butterscup1679666578]

Should be interesting to see if Lou scraps his Fukudome plan and starts Fontenot tonight.

 

I, for one, vote yes to Font.

 

I second that vote

 

Where is he going to play? DeRosa can't play right.

[pitchcs]

Should be interesting to see if Lou scraps his Fukudome plan and starts Fontenot tonight.

 

I, for one, vote yes to Font.

 

I second that vote

 

Where is he going to play? DeRosa can't play right.

 

Can't because of the injury? I still take my chances. And this quote makes it sound as if Lou might as well...From the Trib:

 

 

Fukudome started in right field and batted second Wednesday night but went 0-for-4 in the 7-2 loss to the Dodgers, which may cause Piniella to change his mind Thursday.

 

"I'm not sure," he said afterward. "Let's wait until [Thursday] and see."

 

This just hours after he said Fukudome would start every game.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I seriously have that feeling that theres 0% chance that we lose this game. I had a good feeling yesterday, but not like this, and when we do win this game

we take the next 2 as well.

[RedFlash]

Last night was a spectuar waste of everybodies time, this is true. Now I know the stats say that teams that win Game 1 of the NLDS wins the series 23 of 26 times, but guess what, I think we'll see this stats worsen by the end of the series. I think Z will be on his game and will dominate the Dodgers. But seeing as their will be a alot of anxiety in the ballpark tonight, I suggest to the Cubs to score early and score often, and get the fans feeling good about the team. Cause as the innings go by and the Cubs don't score/are not leading the more pressure they'll feel. So I am going to say, the Cubs come out and score 5 runs in the first off Bills, and cruised to an easy 9-1 victory, with Z going 7IPs and giving up 1 run. Z also homers with 2 on.

 

So Cub fans, grab your favorite lame baseball cliche and get optimistic, cause like the Red Sox did o his Yankee team, the Cubs will come back and sweep the Dodgers. Cause I am a believer that the best team whens the series, and there is no way the Dodgers (even with Manny Ramirez) is better then the Cubs.

[UMFan83]

But seeing as their will be a alot of anxiety in the ballpark tonight, I suggest to the Cubs to score early and score often, and get the fans feeling good about the team. Cause as the innings go by and the Cubs don't score/are not leading the more pressure they'll feel.

 

I was going to suggest the Cubs purposely strike out every AB for the first 8 innings before stringing together a 4 run 9th, but I like your thinking too.

[JeffH]

There's a decent chance we win this game tonight, but we have to get out to an early lead and hold it.

 

If we fall behind at any point, I can't envision them coming back to win, given the atmosphere at the ballpark.

[Guest]

Should be interesting to see if Lou scraps his Fukudome plan and starts Fontenot tonight.

 

I, for one, vote yes to Font.

 

If DeRosa could play RF yesterday, Fukudome wouldn't have been in the lineup. The same goes for today, I imagine.

[Little Slide Rooter]

There's a decent chance we win this game tonight, but we have to get out to an early lead and hold it.

 

If we fall behind at any point, I can't envision them coming back to win, given the atmosphere at the ballpark.

 

The fact that JeffH has the slightest bit of confidence means that we have a damn good shot.

[bcl412]

I think Z is going to get the job done. I really do but even if he doesn't, my mind tells me we still have a decent shot (and when I say decent, much better than other teams would if they fall down 2-0) because with Harden and Lilly going there is a good chance that it goes back to Wrigley where it becomes anyones series and I don't think Dempster can be as bad as he was last night.

 

However if we lose tonight, despite logic telling me one thing, I am going to go into deep depression.

[UMFan83]

I think Z is going to get the job done. I really do but even if he doesn't, my mind tells me we still have a decent shot (and when I say decent, much better than other teams would if they fall down 2-0) because with Harden and Lilly going there is a good chance that it goes back to Wrigley where it becomes anyones series and I don't think Dempster can be as bad as he was last night.

 

However if we lose tonight, despite logic telling me one thing, I am going to go into deep depression.

 

Has anyone ever won a Division Series after losing the first 2 at home?

[Fro]

for good Z tonight.

 

I feel really good about the 2 games in LA, so we need this one.

[Old Style]

Should be interesting to see if Lou scraps his Fukudome plan and starts Fontenot tonight.

 

I, for one, vote yes to Font.

 

I second that vote

 

Where is he going to play? DeRosa can't play right.

 

Can't because of the injury? I still take my chances. And this quote makes it sound as if Lou might as well...From the Trib:

 

 

Fukudome started in right field and batted second Wednesday night but went 0-for-4 in the 7-2 loss to the Dodgers, which may cause Piniella to change his mind Thursday.

 

"I'm not sure," he said afterward. "Let's wait until [Thursday] and see."

 

This just hours after he said Fukudome would start every game.

I say take the chance and put DeRo in RF to start the game.

[gflore34]

It would be refreshing and shocking to see Z come out tonight and pitch, let the movement of his pitches generate GBs instead of the more likely scenario of him trying throw everything through the wall. Resulting in high pitch counts, BB's and HR's.

[rickrolled]

not gonna be close. Cubs 9, Dodgers 1

[bcl412]

I think Z is going to get the job done. I really do but even if he doesn't, my mind tells me we still have a decent shot (and when I say decent, much better than other teams would if they fall down 2-0) because with Harden and Lilly going there is a good chance that it goes back to Wrigley where it becomes anyones series and I don't think Dempster can be as bad as he was last night.

 

However if we lose tonight, despite logic telling me one thing, I am going to go into deep depression.

 

Has anyone ever won a Division Series after losing the first 2 at home?

 

I think the Yankees did in 2001 against Oakland.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Should be interesting to see if Lou scraps his Fukudome plan and starts Fontenot tonight.

 

I, for one, vote yes to Font.

 

I second that vote

 

Where is he going to play? DeRosa can't play right.

 

Can't because of the injury? I still take my chances. And this quote makes it sound as if Lou might as well...From the Trib:

 

 

Fukudome started in right field and batted second Wednesday night but went 0-for-4 in the 7-2 loss to the Dodgers, which may cause Piniella to change his mind Thursday.

 

"I'm not sure," he said afterward. "Let's wait until [Thursday] and see."

 

This just hours after he said Fukudome would start every game.

I say take the chance and put DeRo in RF to start the game.

 

If DeRo is feeling up to it, I say put him in RF and Font at 2b. If the calf is bugging him, switch him to 2B and bring in Wasteofdoughme. If DeRo cant play RF, put him at 2b, Crapke in RF and bat him 9th.

[UMFan83]

I think Z is going to get the job done. I really do but even if he doesn't, my mind tells me we still have a decent shot (and when I say decent, much better than other teams would if they fall down 2-0) because with Harden and Lilly going there is a good chance that it goes back to Wrigley where it becomes anyones series and I don't think Dempster can be as bad as he was last night.

 

However if we lose tonight, despite logic telling me one thing, I am going to go into deep depression.

 

Has anyone ever won a Division Series after losing the first 2 at home?

 

I think the Yankees did in 2001 against Oakland.

 

You're right. But I think you mean 2002.

[bcl412]

I think Z is going to get the job done. I really do but even if he doesn't, my mind tells me we still have a decent shot (and when I say decent, much better than other teams would if they fall down 2-0) because with Harden and Lilly going there is a good chance that it goes back to Wrigley where it becomes anyones series and I don't think Dempster can be as bad as he was last night.

 

However if we lose tonight, despite logic telling me one thing, I am going to go into deep depression.

 

Has anyone ever won a Division Series after losing the first 2 at home?

 

I think the Yankees did in 2001 against Oakland.

 

You're right. But I think you mean 2002.

 

I just looked it up, 2002 is the year the Angels beat them in the first round and then went on to win the Worlds Series.

2001 is the year Jeter made that famous play at home plate I believe.

[Guest]

I think Z is going to get the job done. I really do but even if he doesn't, my mind tells me we still have a decent shot (and when I say decent, much better than other teams would if they fall down 2-0) because with Harden and Lilly going there is a good chance that it goes back to Wrigley where it becomes anyones series and I don't think Dempster can be as bad as he was last night.

 

However if we lose tonight, despite logic telling me one thing, I am going to go into deep depression.

 

Has anyone ever won a Division Series after losing the first 2 at home?

 

I think the Yankees did in 2001 against Oakland.

 

Correct. The 1995 Mariners did the same to the Yankees too.

[Guest]

Should be interesting to see if Lou scraps his Fukudome plan and starts Fontenot tonight.

 

I, for one, vote yes to Font.

 

I second that vote

 

Where is he going to play? DeRosa can't play right.

 

Can't because of the injury? I still take my chances. And this quote makes it sound as if Lou might as well...From the Trib:

 

 

Fukudome started in right field and batted second Wednesday night but went 0-for-4 in the 7-2 loss to the Dodgers, which may cause Piniella to change his mind Thursday.

 

"I'm not sure," he said afterward. "Let's wait until [Thursday] and see."

 

This just hours after he said Fukudome would start every game.

I say take the chance and put DeRo in RF to start the game.

 

If DeRo is feeling up to it, I say put him in RF and Font at 2b. If the calf is bugging him, switch him to 2B and bring in Wasteofdoughme. If DeRo cant play RF, put him at 2b, Crapke in RF and bat him 9th.

 

Stop it with the awful nicknames

[bcl412]

I think Z is going to get the job done. I really do but even if he doesn't, my mind tells me we still have a decent shot (and when I say decent, much better than other teams would if they fall down 2-0) because with Harden and Lilly going there is a good chance that it goes back to Wrigley where it becomes anyones series and I don't think Dempster can be as bad as he was last night.

 

However if we lose tonight, despite logic telling me one thing, I am going to go into deep depression.

 

Has anyone ever won a Division Series after losing the first 2 at home?

 

I think the Yankees did in 2001 against Oakland.

 

Correct. The 1995 Mariners did the same to the Yankees too.

 

Actually the Yankees won the first two in New York and then the Mariners won the last three. I remember this because this was before I was a fan of any teams so I rooted for the Yankees because my dad used to a be a big Yankee fan (until I got into the Cubs) so I was pretty dissapointed. (Stupid 1998 that made me a Cubs fan and not a Yankee fan).