NLDS Game 1: 10/1/08 vs. Dodgers; L 2-7

This game was nothing like last years Game 3. Last year we were already down two games and the lead off home run took all the air out of the stadium. I was at that game. To change up my luck this year, I invited Matt Snyder, he of AOL FanHouse fame, to accompany me. He lives and dies by the Cubs and I knew he would be the right guy.

There was a lot more energy, and Chicago police officers, in Wrigleyville than last year. We hit Bernies for a couple pre game libations while we watched the end of the Phillies-Brewers. Once inside, the flags confirmed what we had been talking about. A stiff wind blowing in from left. Matt presumed that combined with Dempster and Lowe, it meant a low scoring quick game.

For an inning and a half he was right on. Three walks, one each half inning, was the extent of the offense. Dempster even coaxed a double play ball from Manny in his first at bat to erase a base runner.

When the bottom of the second started I told Matt, "good now we are at the bottom of the order." Sure enough, with one out Jim Edmonds got the first hit of the game. DeRosa followed that with an unexpected home run that stayed just fair in right field. The place went nuts. On a night in which we expected no home runs, we now had an early two run lead. Dempster even singled that inning making us all think Lowe was going to be hittable.

In the third inning Dempster got himself in trouble by walking Lowe with one out. He walked Furcal as well and an infield single by Manny loaded the bases. Theriot made a nice stop but the throw was late, and Manny gets credit for hustling. Dempster got out of the jam striking out Ethier to end the inning.

In the third Derek Lee singled down the left field line with one out. Unfortunately Aramis grounded into a double play to end the inning. In the fourth Dempster gave up a hit, but finally went an inning without walking anyone.

The Cubs rallied with two outs in their half, a single by DeRosa followed by Theriot's base hit to right. But Dempster had used up his hit for the game and struck out. Then the mood shifted.

In the Dodger fifth, Dempster walked Furcal between outs by Lowe and Russell Martin. With two outs and one on, it didn't seem threatening. Then he walked Manny and Ethier back to back to load the bases. He had gotten out of a jam already, and Loney chasing a bad first pitch to get behind gave us hope. He swung and missed again to get into a 0-2 hole. But on a 1-2 count he drove a ball to deep center in the batters' eye that deflated the stadium almost as much as last years' Diamondbacks lead off home run.

Kemp followed that up with a double and that ended Dempster's night. Chicago managed singles in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Derek Lee grounded into a double play in the fifth and the other two innings Chicago just couldn't put another hit with those base runners.

The Dodgers tacked on runs in the seventh, eighth, and ninth to completely demoralize the crowd. Manny and Rusell Martin both hit home runs bringing the total to four on a night when we didn't think we would see any.

It would be easy to blame Dempster with his wildness. I know he would man up and claim responsibility. But he had Loney looking foolish and was one pitch from getting him out. Kemp's double would have driven in two and the game would have been tied. If's and buts.

The real blame should lie with the top of the order. Soriano and Fukudome each went hitless. Lee and Ramirez each managed a hit, but also each hit into a double play. Soto, hitting fifth, was also hitless.

The bottom of the order, including Fontenot pinch hitting, managed seven hits, both runs and both rbi. DeRosa and Theriot each had two hits on the night. For all we have heard about pitching, the Cubs offense will have to get going and get going right away to get Chicago back on track.

Z will come out charged up tonight, and an early offensive outpouring will serve to settle him in. Tonight cannot come quickly enough as the Cubs look to win their first playoff game since the NLCS game 4 in 2003. We have to take them a game at a time. The World Series drought can end, but the playoff win drought has to end first. TONIGHT!