I'd take Howry and Gaudin and leave Marquis off. On offense, I'd leave Pie off and go wtih Ward, Cedeno and Hoffpauer.

As for the pitching, you are right....Lou announced Howry (and Shark) made the roster. As much as I wish Howry didn't, there is no way in hell Lou disrespects a veteran player and announces he makes it only to change his mind. So, the roster is as it stands with pitching. I too, would actually consider Weurtz, but nobody else can be left off for him to make it. Marquis has to be kept as the long man if a starter gets bombed....Marshall isnt there to be a long man, he's there to be one of only two lefty specialists.

As for the roster...Lou didnt announce anything, but I dont think there is any way he leaves a verteran Ward off the roster after playing all year with the team. Just cant see it happening, despite wanting it to happen. The question becomes will Lou keep the extra bat or the extra glove (Hoffpauir or Pie). I believe with as well as Hoffy has played he takes the stick. There is a remote chance the last player could be Hill....Lou may want protection for Geo with his hand issue and carry three catchers. I hope not....but theres a chance.

In any event......I can't wait till Wednesday!!!!!!!!

I would take a "good" Gaudin over Marquis, but Gaudin is clearly hurting. He has not been good.

Marquis's last few starts, on the other hand, were pretty solid. We need him there in case of injury and we need an emergency start. He can also pitch long relief. We won't see him in the 8th or 9th, but I would definitely take Marquis.

Howry isn't good, but it's not like our other options are setting the world on fire. Wuertz is probably the least-bad of a mediocre bunch of Guzman, Hart, etc.

There have been some reports that Cedeno jammed his shoulder when sliding into 1B vs. Brewers. I think he threw wildly from SS to 1B once after that. Not sure who would play SS if not Theriot or Cedeno (DeRosa and Fontenot have played a few games at SS before). Anyway, assuming Cedeno is OK to play...I am leaning towards Pie because of the weather. Wind will be blowing in during Games 1 and 2. Manufacturing runs will be important, so using Pie as PR and defensive replacement may be real important. So I am leaning towards Hoffy, Pie and Cedeno. I am not entirely sure Lou will go with Marquis. He looked out of sorts out of the pen vs. Brewers and Lou's patience with Marquis has been short. On the other hand, he has used Marquis as a PR before too. I think he will go with Howry. If he decides not to go with Marquis, then I guess I would go with Hart. One other point is that Lou has talked about Lilly being available for Game 1 or Game 2 in relief and still being able to start Game 4 if necessary. Personally, I think 11 pitchers is one too many for a 5 game series that has 2 off days. I guess there is the worry about a marathon extra inning game, but Lilly and Marshall can give you long relief. If Lilly went long relief, Dempster would have to pitch on 3 days rest in a Game 4 scenario.

I hardly ever comment, even though I read your recaps & posts almost every day. Love the site... (Not so much when we loose as I shut out the baseball world, espn, mlb sites everything! Fortunately, this season, losing was not been very common.) But today with 28 looong hours still to go, on the verge of going mad with all this waiting, I want to join everyone in stating how incredibly excited I am, this post-season looks to be unique. I truly can’t wait!
As to our roster, I pretty much agree with the offense spots, sorry about Pie, but I don’t think he’ll make the playoffs roster. On pitching along with everyone, I really DON’T want Howry in it, but Piniella already announced him and for some strange, dark, hidden, & unknown reason he still has confidence in him… And yes, I do believe Marquis earned his spot, the others are no doubters.
Being a lifelong Cubs fan, we all worry much more than we should. This team with its strengths and weaknesses has the best record and was better than all the others all season through. That shouldn’t change, that should carry on, as I told my brother, somewhere I read that all they have to do to win is simple: play just the way they played all year… So here’s hoping for an unforgettably GLORIOUS post-season. Go CUBS!

JMR, thats the way I see it.

We have a .600+ winning percentage. D0 the math. That is 6 out of every 10 games equaling a win.

Do the math again. Thats roughly 3 out of every 5.

The Cubs just have to do what they have done all year. Win 3 of 5.

Unfortunately, a 5 game series pretty much comes down to luck. Though the Cubs are better than the Dodgers, the Dodgers are still a solid team so without checking the Vegas odds, I'd guess the Cubs would win a 5 game series with LA about 55-60% of the game. That means anything could happen in one 5 game series even though it is more likely we come away victorious.

Another observation ... as down as all of you are on Howry, you were just as down on Dempster as a starter coming into the season ... Howry had a very solid track record coming into this year and so long as he is not hurt, he could still come up big in the playoffs.

Marquis deserves to be on the playoff roster. You have to admit he hasn't pitched that bad. But its a different monster coming out of the pen. But, it can be done.

Hopefully he makes the roster then doesn't pitch(except maybe to get one or two guys out) cause this would mean that the starters went deep into the game and there was no need for a long reliever.

A healthy Gaudin would be my choice but I agree that he is not healthy. Probably going to be Howry but I wish we had another option. Need a veteran.
Maybe just maybe he'll find some thing in the playoffs.

Ward will make it because we need left handed options and a vet, Pie for defense and pinch-running, and hoffpauer.

I'm making a prediction that hoffpauer will get a clutch hit somewhere in the playoffs to win a game.
Cedeno will be out. He seems to not have the right mindset and he is the easiest to make up for with Fontenot, Derosa, Theriot that can play ss

Honorable mention to Fontenot coming up with a big hit too. Or big defensive play.

Just over 24 HOURS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait...tonight I will settle for a Twins win!!!!!! lol

Hey any of my San Diego local fans want to get together for the game Saturday evening?

Well, I gotta say, if Bob makes the team, I am gonna spit. As far as the numbers go, I know that the Dodgers have good era, win and strikeout numbers, but I am not a big numbers guy. A staff who pitches against the Padres, Giants, and Diamondback for a third of their games, means squat to me. Comparatively, the Cubs staff pitch against some of the toughest hitters in the Astro's, Brewers, and of course the Cards. To have an era, wins and strikeouts as high as ours facing those bats is not even a comparison. We need to put runs up and Manny is a new threat that was not there when we went 5-2 against them earlier this year. I am confident we are a much stronger team then the Dodgers, but I am not blind with love. It will be a difficult, that's what the post-season is all about. We have a rough road, but I do really believe that we may be a little spoiled and tainted all at the same time. If we were truly objective, we would see our team is a quality group that has produced all year, not just in spurts.

I agree Justin, this will be tough.

I got a problem.

Game 1 is on my girlfriend's birthday.

I made a deal with her that if I miss the first game that she doesn't bother me about watching any of the other game for the rest of the playoffs.

But damn, I hate to miss that first game.

You ever consider a new girl?

Aside from the idea of a new girl.....perhaps taking her out to a nice dinner tonight...might get ya off the hook....lol

Otherwise....perhaps a sports bar for dinner??

Be sure to tell her not to mind the wire running up your collar to your ear.....

Or a new girl.

Just saying...

Mine understands, haha

JMR-good Sunday speech, you almost made me cry!!!

It feels like Christmas eve.....is Santa on the way?

Jerljr; that is hilarious! Don't change the girl go tamper the clocks and calendars!! One more thing...if you have to take her out during the game time, take your lucky hat. And have her read this post;

Dear Jerljr's girl, this guy is absolutely nuts for you. The fact that he is willing to pass this game for your birthday is an unbelievable commitment and proof of love. It is like a 3K diamond ring. Honestly you should just marry him because you just found true love!!!

p.s. Jerljr-after you get married, you get an automatic fishing permitt and get to watch all the games @ the same time it makes you a good husband because you are not out partying alone late at night. Dude you rock!!!

Speaking of a new girl....
I keep thinking about Kim Kardashian lately.

LOL, guy, LOL