I like winning. I hate Dempster. I hate the contract he signed after 08. He’s really nothing more than a slightly above average pitcher whose career year in 08 outwitted Lou the Great (not a hard thing to do) into not using his best pitcher over the course of September AT ALL during the playoffs. To a left-handed batter, Dempster is nothing but a drum. His five year numbers going from 09 back thru 05: BAA- .281/.243/.259/.310/.278 WHIP – 1.55/1.29/1.53/1.97/1.97 For his career (over 1600 IP, not a small sample size) his BAA/WHIP against lefties is .281/1.73. I’m sure Dempster apologists will say he was just coming back from the injury in 05 and 06, but he’s not nor ever will be an elite pitcher. When he struggles with his command against lefties, he’s no more than mediocre. Given his track record, his career year in 08 is understandable since it’s about the only time he’s ever been half competent against them. Props to Byrd for having a nice day in front of the home fans on his first try. If your $10 mil pitcher can't hold a 4 run lead for 2 innings, why is he on the team as a reliever? If this guy and Dempster's mother touched, they would instantly be converted into energy.