A special thanks first to former Cub great Greg Maddux, for winning the game that clinched the division for my beloved Chicago Cubs. How fitting, but even more sweet because I predicted it may happen, and because the Padres (and Rockies) wound up winning just enough games, but not too many games, to ensure I get to see my first Cubs playoff game ever! Yes....the Cubs will be making their way to my neck of the woods (er....mountains?), and I couldn't be more excited about it!
How will this Wednesday, at Chase Field in sunny Arizona, turn out for the playoff-bound Chicago Cubs? Here is how I see things going down....
As I peer down from my luxurious suite, full of hotdogs, wings, and assorted beverages, I will heartily cheer as the Cubs players rejoice after Ryan Dempster saves Game 1 of the NL Division series between the Cubs and D'Backs. Dempster will have given up 1 run, but the Cubs will still have managed to win 4-2, thanks in large part to Alfonso Soriano's 3 RBI's. After Zambrano managed the first Cubs basehit in the 3rd inning, Soriano deposited the ball in the left-centerfield bleachers. A double by Soriano in the 5th would drive home Jason Kendall, and Jacque Jones added a solo shot insurance run in the 8th off of Brandon Lyon. D'Backs ace, Brandon Webb, would only give up 5 hits and 1 walk, but the Cubs would make the most of it, as Carlos Zambrano fist-pumps his way through 6 shutout innings. Big Z has to work his way through a high-pitch-count 7th, in which he gives up 1 run on a double by Mark Reynolds. Carlos Marmol actually strikes out 4 batters, in the 8th inning, after a strike-three pitch gets away from Kendall, allowing the runner to reach first safely. In the 9th, Dempster gives up 1-run on a double to right-center by Mark Reynolds which scores a hustling Eric Byrnes all the way from 1st base. Demp gets catcher Chris Synder to pop up, then walks pinch-hitter Tony Clark, putting runners at 1st and 2nd with only 1 out. But the baseball gods smiled upon as when "can't miss prospect" Stephen Drew grounds sharply to Ramirez, who steps on the bag and throws to Derrek Lee for a game-ending double-play....Cubs Win, Cubs Win!!
What's that? You aren't as confident the game will go quite like that? Well....you know....wait!
Do You Know Better?
Normally, this is the point when I explain, as politely as I can, that I am correct and that if for some odd reason you disagree, then you really should know better. Today is a different day, as this season has deposited us in unfamiliar territory in the history of the CCO: the playoffs!
For the first time since Neil found a way to manipulate space-time and lengthen his day from 24 to 30 hours (how else do you think he manages to get all this done?!) the CCO finally has playoffs to analyze, critique, and predict....and not just to dream about.
So I am turning it over to you, CCO Readers....let's hear your predictions. Let's hear how you picture the Zambrano-Webb Duel in the Desert unfolding. What were the biggest factors as well: replacing Dusty with Lou, the emergence of Carlos Marmol, the 2nd-half power surge of Lee, Ramirez, and Soriano, the acquisition of Ted Lilly, or the return to form of Bobby Howry and Scott "Stevie" Eyre, etc....?
We have some time to kill today, so dust off those crystal balls, re-read those Nostradamus and Edgar Cayce excerpts and see what you believe to be in the future for the Cubs this week. I look forward to reading your thoughts, and, until next time, let's hope our Big Three (and their nagging injuries) benefit from this additional rest, that Big Z doesn't psyche himself out with too much time to think, and let's go Cubs!
I see the Cubs losing a close Game 1. But then sweeping the remaining three games, and getting a couple of days off before playing the winner of the Colorado/Philadelphia series, which will go all 5 games.
Wasn't it strange that Michael Barrett dropped the ball on a play at the plate to end the Padres season? He never dropped throws when he was here...he was never a liability on defense. I couldn't believe it when I saw it.
I see the Cubs losing a close Game 1. But then sweeping the remaining three games, and getting a couple of days off before playing the winner of the Colorado/Philadelphia series, which will go all 5 games.
Wasn't it strange that Michael Barrett dropped the ball on a play at the plate to end the Padres season? He never dropped throws when he was here...he was never a liability on defense. I couldn't believe it when I saw it.
.....and the home of the brave....Play Ball!!!
After working the count full, Alfonso hits yet another lead off homer to put us up for good. This however will be the only run that Webb gives up. The Cubs will have their chances, but as we've seen all year, will strand a few runners. Webb will last 7 innings giving up only the one run. That is when we get to that highly touted Arizona bullpen and shake their confidence for the remainder of the series. Top of the 8th enters Jose Valverde in a futile attempt to hold the Cubs to their one run. Derrek Lee leads of the inning with a double off the wall in left center. Floyd will follow that with a deep fly out to right. Lee, being the heads up player that he is, advances to third on the play. Follow that with Aramis hitting a base hit through the hole on the left side of the infield, scoring Lee. That will be it for the Cubs offense this game.
On the flip side Big Z is going to throw a gem, friends. We will watch as Carlos points to the sky, pumps his fist, and yells into his glove for 8 shutout innings of 3 hit ball. Lou decides to make all of Cub Nation sweat and brings in Dempster to close it out. Demp will come out looking sharp striking out the first two batters he faces, before the adventure begins. Dempster will proceed to walk the next two batters. Then, with all of Cub Nation sweating bullets, Dempster gets Connor Jackson to hit a little dribbler to Mark DeRosa who tosses it to Lee to end the game. Final score, Cubs 2 Diamondbacks 0.
We all know that the Cubs never make it easy on us. It will be a heart attack of a game, but really can we expect it to go any other way? Cubs win the series 3 games to 1.
Go Cubbies!!!
did anyone see micheal barrett lose the game for the padres cause he couldnt hold the baseball.
actually if you look at the replay, Barrett blocked the plate perfectly and the runner never tagged home plate. he should've been out. the ump's got the call wrong.
Steve I agree,
Holliday never did touch the plate when he slid in.
anyone know where you can watch highlights from '03 playoffs? This sucks waiting around until tomorrow night, but it could be worse, we could be the Mets :) lol
Jeff,
I have every game taped from '03. I just can't bear to watch anything from the NLCS, because in the end I know what happens. It like watching a train, knowing that its going to derail.
I would think that the first game would be close. It all depends I guess on who gets the upper hand and when. Whoever gets the the oppositions bullpen first wins I think. I'll say Cubs, in a close one, 4-2.
Ryan- Nice, but i was actually thinking of braves series though..Trust me, I dont ever wanna see the marlins series..
I gurantee TBS will put that on opening credits before the ballgame.
I didnt even make my prediction. I wish we would go 3-0 and rest up, but I see us losing tomorrow night and taking back to Wrigley tied 1-1...
Zambrano earns his money with a complete game 3 hit shutout. Cubs score 3 in the first and 1 in the fifth for a 4-0 win.
I'm going to wait on my later predictions. We need to go a series at a time.
Cubs got a break that they are not playing the Rockies or the Phillies this round. Both teams are red hot.
These are going to be low scoring games and if they can play small ball(emphasis on basehits and not homeruns) while they are in arizona, at least split there. Stadium is too big to be counting on the HR. Then pummle them in Wrigley. We have the advantage in power where they have the advantage in pitching. At least starting pitching.
Soriano will have a killer series, guarantee that.
Arizona(and every time they face in the playoffs) will try to run the Cubs out of the building. The pitchers are going to have to keep the runners close, which they haven't been able to do all year. But this is the most important thing thats going to have to be taken care of if the Cubs are going to go anywhere in the playoffs. Especially if they end up going against the Phillies next round. Rollins will run all over them.
Cubs will lose the first game but Lilly will come up big Thursday. Thats my prediction.
Steve,
I like the way you think...I also believe Big Z will pitch a good game.
jerljr,
Maybe that means Soto will have to play more, hmmm?
ive watched some dbacks games with webb pitching, and he is not good early. very wild, with his sinker all over the place. but as the game goes on he is better