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.

NLDS Game 2: 10/2/08 vs Dodgers; L 3-10

I'll remind you that the first Red Sox World Series Championship in 76 years didn't seem possible when they were down 3-0 to the Yankees in the NLCS. Those were the only three games they lost in that postseason. It could happen for the Cubs.

But not if they continue to play as they have the first two games. Right now they have five runs in two games. Mark DeRosa has driven in four and scored the fifth himself. I know he can play multiple defensive positions, but he can only bat in one spot in the lineup. A few other guys are going to have to swing the bats better.

Besides a lack of hitting, Chicago has displayed lack of pitching control and poor fielding. Dempster walked seven guys in game one. Zambrano had better control, but his infield committed four errors to allow five unearned runs.

Is there anything else they can do poorly? I don't think so. Possibly they have gotten it all out of their system and can move forward playing like the team that won 97 games. This is truly a good team. They can be dominant in all areas of the game and take control right back.

Let's give Zambrano his props for tonight. Lou asked for seven innings and he got it. Most of the runs allowed were unearned, and Zambrano didn't completely blow his top when faced with the adversity. He struck out seven while only walking two and hitting one.

When Harden and Lilly do their jobs and the series returns to Wrigley on Tuesday, I bet we see Zambrano as the first guy off the bench if Dempster isn't getting it done.

First things first, let's taking some batting and infield practice today.

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!