I said this in the main site thread. If the Cubs don't get swept, I think they win the series. I love the Harden/Kuroda matchup, and like Lilly against Lowe on short rest/Maddux.

I called Cubs in 4 before the series started, and gun to my head, I think I'd stick with it. Z's gotta be on tonight though.

I'd be willing to bet we see a Fontenot/DeRosa lineup tonight as well.

The wind will be blowing in a similar fashion to last night. It may help the ball to RF. However, Billingsley, like all of the Dodgers starters, is pretty good at keeping the ball in the ballpark.

Fukudome hit a homer off Billingsley earlier in the season, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him in RF tonight. It would be good to get Fontenot into the lineup though. I'd rather have him in there than Fukudome any day of the week.

Z's been scaring us lately, but he does have a five-year record of being a very good-to-great pitcher. I'm willing to bank on that tonight. If he gives us the same "1 run in 6 innings" effort tonight that he gave us in Arizona last season, I'll take it.

Last night was an example of how bad a team can look in one game, but we need to remember that it was just one game. The Cubs will win tonight and everyone's emotional roller-coaster will be back on the upswing.

Fontenot has been delivering all season and went into the playoffs seeing the ball real well. He should definitely be starting today and probably the rest of the playoffs. I know Zambrano is the ace and I know Lilly turned into a pumpkin last year but I kind of want Lilly to start todays game. His last couple of starts have been outstanding and he did it against good lineups.

I don't think we should expect anything out of Sori in this series. He's looked lost for a couple of weeks now and I doubt that is going to change anytime soon. I know Lou put Fukudome at the 2 spot to break up the platoon but come on at this point Edmonds would have been a better option at #2 then Fukudome.

Can't really complain about the bullpen since we haven't really seen the big boys yet. Marshall looked good but I don't really know if Lou is planning on using him as say a 7th inning guy in this series.

After all we've heard about Dempster's preparation throughout the season, I think it's safe to say that no one feels worse about last night than he does. That said, home record or not, having him go for Game 1 was a huge risk. I supported the decision based on his season and numbers at home. But Lou could have just as well started Zambrano or Harden in Game 1 and used Dempster in Game 2. There's a psychological effect in getting Game 1 and with the Cubs' recent home failures in October, last night was a really big game. Wrigley hasn't had much to cheer about in October since the sixth inning of Game 6 in 2003.

That said, I was disappointed in the crowd last night. Everyone's frustrated, but the last thing this team needs is the home crowd turning on it after every stranded baserunner or run given up.

I also contend that Dick Stockton made last night seem even worse.

I know this is going to sound like a stretch, but...

Dick Stockton < Joe Buck

And I HATE Joe Buck. However, Tony Gwynn > Tim McCarver.

Zambrano has a penchant for defying expectations: 12 days off with shoulder tendinitis--will he be rusty? No-hitter. First game of 2007 NLDS--will he be too amped up? Six great innings. He just pitched a no-hitter--he'll be great now, right? Craptacular end of season. I fully expect him to crap the bed tonight, so hopefully that means he'll pitch a shutout.

I dreamt last night that the Cubs had lost Game 2 as well.

I can only hope that this turns out as in 2004 when I dreamt the Cubs won the division.

Losing game 1 was the result of walking the bases loaded and giving up a gopher ball. Every thing else was gravy.

That, and the Cub offense sucking out.

Looks like the Chimp got drunk last night to try and forget yesterday's game, too.

Who the hell scheduled the game times? A 9:30 eastern start will leave me tired historian tomorrow morning in class.

TiVo

No way am I going to TIVO a Cubs playoff game.
I must be tired now. My last post does not make sense. That is what grading will do to your mind.

closing time.

I dreamt last night that the Cubs had lost Game 2 as well.awesome.

You're a dick.