NLDS Game 3: 10/4/08 @ Dodgers; L 1-3

You've really got to be kidding me.

97 regular season wins, first place since May 11th, and we go three and out!

We lead the National League in runs scored, averaging over 5 a game. We average only two in this sweep.

We acquire a pitcher in Harden who could realistically challenge Zambrano as the ace of the staff, thereby giving us three guys to pick from for game one. Two of the three fail to get out of the fifth inning in their starts.

We weren't among the top in fielding this year, but four errors in one game! All by separate infielders!

All the hope and optimism of this year was dashed in four short days. Cubs fans had waited 100 years for this, and in less than 100 hours it was taken away. This may be the longest winter for Cub fans ever. 1984 seemed bad. 2003 we were so close. This year we didn't get any of that.

Chicago has now dropped nine straight playoff games, five of them at home. Maybe I can give more later, but not this soon.