Dempster is not rightfully the right choice for game 1. It should be the best pitcher on the team. No, it makes sense to have Dempster as game one, as several people have pointed out that Dempster can give you 7 innings and at least 2-3 ER's, since Harden could only go for 5 or 6 innings and Zambrano, well, depending on which Zambrano shows up. But as Dempster going 7 innings, and only having to use Marmol and Wood for the 8th and 9th, and the pen will still be fresh for game 2, plus the off day as well where the pen will be back in full strength in game 4, if needed. As I've pointed out, Dempster has average ~6 1/3 innings per start this season, and Harden has average ~6 innings per start. I wasn't talking about Zambrano, he should be slotted 3rd.