My colleague Mr. Brinson is having no trouble egging Cubs fans towards the ledge after their 7-2 loss to the Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLDS Wednesday night. It's true, it was an ugly loss and a home loss in the first two games of a short series can always be bad news. I can see why this is worrisome. But I'm here to tell you not to panic yet, Cubs fans. Seriously. So you're down 1-0. You mean to tell me that the best team in the National League all year can't win three of four from the Dodgers? The team that needed Manny Ramirez and a complete Diamondbacks collapse to make the playoffs? Yeah, the Dodgers went 17-8 in September, but the Cubs were 20-8 in August. Every starting position player has an OPS+ of 92 or better. They've got the best lineup top to bottom in the NL, even when Fukudome starts.
Carlos Zambrano starts tomorrow at a packed Wrigley against 24-year-old Chad Billingsley. Win that and it's like today never happened. If tomorrow's game goes like this one, you have permission to push the panic button. Not before. Until then, the Cubs only need three wins in four games against a team that they're better than to advance. I know that "they're the Cubs," but that doesn't actually mean anything. Repeat after me: curses are not real. This series is not close to over, so please stop acting like it is.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-01-2008 @ 11:14PM
Person said...
you are obviously a cub enthusiast! 24 outta 28 win series after winning game 1! i dont care if its the 1 or the 5 u cannot deny that stat so go cry to lou you total cubbie
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10-01-2008 @ 11:40PM
Martin said...
You are foolish to compare the season records of the Cubs and Dodgers. Although the Cubs were the best team throughout the season, the Dodgers, since the acquisition of Manny, and the return of several starters from the disabled list, are the better offensive team now. Keep in mind, the Dodgers' season record is based largely on a lot of games being played without several important starters. They played almost the entire season without Furcal, who is now back. They played the last several months without their closer, Saito, who is now back. And they played the last month without Jeff Kent, who is now back. In effect, the real Dodger team has only been playing together for the last several games. And the guys that filled in for the injured starters (Berroa, DeWitt, and Pierre) gie them a lot of versatility and speed off the bench. So although the Cubs had the best offensive statistics for the year, the Dodgers have the better offensive line up now. Thus, the hopes of the Cubs will hinge on whether the Cubs starting pitching can contain the Dodger line up.
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10-02-2008 @ 9:03AM
Jimmy said...
Martin said it well in his reply, I am 50 years old and all I ask is please dear Lord help these little Cubs mature into Grizzly Bears and for just once in my life time allow me to witness a Cubs victory of a world series.
About last night, yes its easy to second guess, maybe Lou was more of a spectator than a manager allowing a struggling pitcher to keep walking the opposition. Then bam that woke Lou up. Lets get some life into that dugout, pump that dead bench up and find a right fielder who wants to swing a bat, see the ball, hit the ball. I may have to convert over to the south side team, after all its all about that great windy city.
Sincerely,
Worried Cub Fan
10-02-2008 @ 9:42AM
Mama Oaks said...
GO CUBS GO, GO CUBS GO...HEY CHICAGO WHAT DO YA SAY, THE CUBS ARE GONNA WIN TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
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10-02-2008 @ 11:37AM
Ben said...
As a Sox fan, I can relate to how bad your feeling after a playoff loss. We also lost a playoff game in 2005. Dodgers in 4
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10-02-2008 @ 2:51PM
Mia said...
All i have to say is... "It can happen!".... BUT IT WON'T...and you have the billy goat to thank!
Sincerely,
An Excited DODGER fan!
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