Is the postseason roster posted anywhere? I can't seem to find it.

I think it'll be out tomorrow.

So there is still time for Lou to come to his sense about Horwy? Or have official comments made that an impossibility?

"The choices are going to be DeRosa is going to play right field and [Mike] Fontenot is going to play second or DeRosa is going to play second and [Kosuke] Fukudome is going to play right," Piniella said. "If it's the Dodgers, we'll be facing right-handed pitching. If it's the Mets, then we'd play our left-handed lineup anyway. Then it depends on whether DeRosa can play the outfield. If that's the case, I'll play Fukudome in right against left-hand pitching, too."

Lou's already said Howry made it. Sounds like the last two spots are between Gaudin or Samardizja and Pie or Hoffpaiur.

It's been speculated that Hoff grabbed his spot. I'd imagine it's Samardzija over Gaudin due to Gaudin's wildness since coming back. I'm ok with leaving Gaudin off in favor of Samardzija. I'd take him over Howry, but I'd take just about every arm in the pen over him. Should be Gooz.

Lou's already said Howry made it. Sounds like the last two spots are between Gaudin or Samardizja and Pie or Hoffpaiur.

Lou certainly knows more than I do, but I'd rather have both Pie and Hoff and skip Ward.

Lowe as the game 1 starter is an interesting pick. Lowe is a much much tougher pitcher when pitching at home. By having him pitch game 1 it basically means that Lowe and the Dodgers will not get that bonus since he would probably pitch game 5 at Chicago or get to pitch in LA on 3 days rest which probably alleviatess the bonus. So the Dodgers go with their "proven ace" when they probably should push him back to game 3 and let Billingsley pitch game 1 and possibly game 5. Let Kuroda pitch game 2 and then see where that takes them.

Should be Gooz.

When you like a guy, you really like a guy. :) Sorry, but he hasn't shown much of anything this month (not that he's gotten a lot of chances). It should be Wuertz. If Guadin is healthy, it would be him. But everyone, expect Lou, agrees it shouldn't be Howry.

Marmol's gonna get a lot of work this month, so I hope nothing important comes down to any of those guys at the end of the pen. If so, we're in trouble.

Lowe is much tougher THIS YEAR at home; in his previous 3 ys in LA, barely (if even!) the advantage you'd expect from normal home field + pitcher's park.

He has also been golden down the stretch, so I understand why he might pitch game 1. Plus his sinker at times has been worse with 'too much' rest.

Sorry, but he hasn't shown much of anything this month (not that he's gotten a lot of chances).

Well, he looked fantastic yesterday, but you're right.

Predicting a sweep? Now that's optimistic (and ballsy).

I'm incredibly nervous about this series. The Cubs should win and they're certainly a better team that the Dodgers ... BUT I don't know. The regulars (excepting Ramirez) have not looked good recently (BTW, how fitting was it that Derrek DP'd to end the regular season?), the relievers haven't looked good, and who knows what we're going to get out of Z.

That being said, I do think the Cubs will win. I've just got a major case of the butterflies already.

I would have been much happier if the Mets had won yesterday and forced a tiebreaker and then won that game and faced the Cubs.

The Mets are a much better opponent then the Dodgers right now.

Predicting a sweep? Now that's optimistic (and ballsy).

Stick to what you do best, I say. I'm just antsy to get this started. This is going to be a long wait until the game starts Wednesday. Late games Thursday and Saturday will make those long days as well.

i think its going to be a sweep, even if z turns intoa pumpkin the dodgers pitching doesnt scare me at all and i think our offense will eat them up. this is a cubs team with redemption in mind from last year

I've just got a major case of the butterflies already.

Zen-like calm, and pedal to the metal.

(Warning, stream of consciousness ahead. Most of these thoughts were formed yesterday, listening to fans call into WGN with the "I'm worried about Z/the bullpen/the Dodgers" mantra.)

I'm not nervous at all. The Dodgers remind me a lot of the 2007 Cubs; a flawed team who got hot in September after hovering around .500 all year and won a weak division to get to the postseason. Granted, Manny was a bit of a better trade pickup than Jason Kendall. :)

Yes, I'm worried about DeRo's and Soto's injuries, and, yes, certain regulars have looked pretty bad the last week or so (Z for the last month). But remember everyone looking at the schedule at the end of August and proclaiming that it was going to be "Hell Month" for the Cubs? Nothing but games vs. teams with winning records and most of them on the road? The team went 14-14 during that stretch; and most of those games were in the midst of the club playing its worst ball of the year AND playing the "B" team for the last 8 games (which went 4-4).

Would anyone here trade the Cubs roster right now for any of the other teams? The Dodgers or Brewers? Hell, no. The Phillies? Maybe. We do have home field, which is huge; I know, I know, 2003, but I'd much rather have game 6 & 7 at Wrigley than CBP. They're the one team in the NL that has a realistic chance of beating us. But, hey, it wouldn't be fun if it was easy, right?

I think the Cubs are the best team. I think they're the most balanced team. Sure, no one really knows how the "iffiness" of the last week or so, (esp. the bullpen) will translate to the playoffs. But I have to think the Cubs will play more in line with the way they did for five and a half months, rather than the past week or two.

The best team doesn't always win, but that's the way to bet.

Cubs in 4.

derosa is saying that he will be ready to go for wednesday, lou is slightly less optimostic saying we think he will be ready
per chi trib

In news even worse than Bob Howry's continued existence, Dick Stockton will once again be doing the play by play. Ron Darling, Tony Gwynn, and Tom Verducci round out the crew.

Ugh, man, I'm so tired of Dick Stockton. Wonder why they didn't bring Brenly back this year.

no idea but i wouldnt have minded seeing a broadcaster from eachs teams home network covering it that way you have people who know the team inthe booth

Both TV and radio? Scully and Brenly would be an interesting pair.

Then again, there's the potential of Hawk and Dave Wills.

(BTW, how fitting was it that Derrek DP'd to end the regular season?)

VERY THANKS WHY NOT JUST RUB SALT IN THE WOUND NOW OK THANKS

In news even worse than Bob Howry's continued existence, Dick Stockton will once again be doing the play by play. Ron Darling, Tony Gwynn, and Tom Verducci round out the crew.

Ugh. I would rather listen to Chip Caray than listen to Dick Stockton. I really mean that.

The Cubs were pegged to sweep the NLDS last season. I thought that seemed too optimistic and was proven completely right. But as all of us have said at some point this season, this team is so much better than last year's team. I'm confident these guys have what it takes to give all other playoff teams a run for their money if they're on their game. The franchise's not-so-illustrious history makes speaking positively about postseason play taboo, but I really like their chances in this series. I'll say they take it in four.

Something I just noticed. I've some commentary on hos hot the Dodgers were down the stretch compared to what a middling September the Cubs had. Both are assuredly true as the Dodgers caught fire at about the same moment the Cubs waned.

Look at their schedules though - in September here's who LA played (w/ opponent's seasonal W/L Pct in paranthesis):

San Diego - 9 games (.389)
San Fransico - 6 games (.444)
Pittsburgh - 4 games (.414)
Colorado - 3 games (.371)
Arizona - 3 games (.506)

And here's the Cubs - this should be less surprising:
Cards - 6 games (.531)
Brewers - 6 games (.556)
Astros - 5 games (.534)
Mets - 4 games (.549)
Reds - 3 games (.457)

Average winning percentage of Dodger opponent in September: .428
Average winning percentage of Cub opponent in September: .532

Basically, LA spent the month playing a 69-93 team while the Cubs had the entire time againsst an 86-76 squad.

Also, LA ended August facing the Nationas, the worst team in the NL. The Cubs ended August playing the Phillies, the best rival team in the NL.

Just thought I'd share.

The Cubs also gave meaningful ABs to Casey McGehee in some of those games, which presumably won't be happening against the Dodgers.

Oh, forgot to mention - if it wasn't for the Reds, every single Cub opponent down the strech would - without exception - have a better winning percentage than every single opponent the Dodgers faced in that span.

Actually, if you think about it, Arizona is the only team with a better record, and their record was front-loaded with wins.

From May 1-onward, Arizona was 62-72.
From May 1-onward, Cincinnati was 62-71.

I'm not making any predictions. The Dodgers are a tough opponent, and the Cubs are more than capable of losing to them, but the Cubs have the better talent, and there's no reason they shouldn't win.

I just wish it started tonight rather than tomorrow. I'm tired of waiting already.

Yeah, I'm pretty antsy. It's an exciting time.

Not only is today going to be interminable but tomorrow is going to be even worse. I hate late games.

Tomorrow's game is at 5:30 Pops.

Something I just noticed. I've some commentary on hos hot the Dodgers were down the stretch compared to what a middling September the Cubs had. Both are assuredly true as the Dodgers caught fire at about the same moment the Cubs waned.

Look at their schedules though - in September here's who LA played

Average winning percentage of Dodger opponent in September: .428
Average winning percentage of Cub opponent in September: .532

Basically, LA spent the month playing a 69-93 team while the Cubs had the entire time againsst an 86-76 squad.

Not only that:

Dodgers record 08/30-09/13: 12-1
Dodgers record 09/14-09/28: 7-7

Cubs record 08/30-09/13: 3-8
Cubs record 09/14-09/28: 9-6

On 09/13 the Cubs had a 6 game lead while the Dodgers were ahead 4.5 games. Neither team exactly had to bust it to the finish line.

So how "hot", exactly, are the Dodgers right now?

Also, I agree with all you guys: I wish the game was tonight.

I think the big problem is that we haven't seen a meaningful game, from the Cubs point of view, in 10 days. Sure, the games against the Mets and Brewers were "interesting", in a clinical way, same with Tigers/White Sox yesterday and Twins/White Sox today. But it's just not the same if you're not emotionally invested in the outcome.

Cubs pick up Piniella's 2010 Option.

Colorado - 3 games (.371)

Dude, they're not that bad. They finished 74-88, same as the Reds, which messes up your point in No. 27 a little bit, too.

Cubs in four. I love this team!

Wasn't the postseason roster supposed to be announced today? I can't find anything on the team page.

Pie edges out Hoffpauir.

Here it is

Pie over Hoffpauir and Samardzija over Gaudin (the latter info was in a separate article).

I'm shocked Pie made it over Hoffpauir though I understand why the decision was made.

14 hours 30 mintues till it begins

I understand Pie over Hoffpaiur, I would have done it differently. Maybe with DeRosa's injury last week Lou wanted more OF defensive options, and I understand that. As we've all gone over and over and over, there's no reason Howry made the roster. Gaudin wasn't great down the stretch, but any of him, Guzman, or Wuertz would have been better options. Even Hart would have been a defendable choice. If Howry is in any game where the difference is 4 runs or less, Lou's going to hear it from me.

I think the Dodgers best chance to steal a game is tonight, if Lowe's sinker is working. Cooler weather, wind should be blowing in. But that'll help Dempster as well. For no apparent reason, I have completely confidence and peace in Zambrano tomorrow.