The Star of October Is...

(Photo courtesy of www.cubbienation.com)

For the Cubs this postseason, I think that the man who will become a star is Ryan Dempster.

Let me explain myself.

Why not Z?

Zambrano is a horse, no doubt about that there. Without him on the Cubs, there would be no way we would be in the position we are in. However, I feel he is more like what Curt Schilling was for Boston back in 2004.

Now he won’t have a bloody sock or anything but Big Z is the backbone of the Cubs rotation. I just see him doing what he does best though during the playoffs.

His recent struggles have me worried to call him the star for the Cubs right now.

Rich Harden made me think a little on this one.

Granted he hasn’t had the deepest of outings since joining the Cubs, but in the postseason pitch counts don’t matter only winning does. Harden is 5-1 with the Cubs this season and carries a dominant 1.77 ERA.

Only problem with calling Harden the star is that his dominance has only lasted an average of just under 6 innings a start. So many of his games are left up to the bullpen to decide and that is why Harden has ended up with 6 no decisions as well with the Cubs.

Harden’s stuff is filthy and he has shown his dominance to the National League since joining the Cubs but he comes in a close second to the star in waiting…Dempster.

When I first thought about my response to this question, Ryan Dempster was the first name to come to mind. His move from closer to starter might have been one of the best off-season moves made for the Cubs. His spot in the rotation has been incredibility important in the success of the Cubs.

He has compiled a 17-6 record in his first year back from the bullpen. His previous best was 15 wins in 2001.

Some people may be worried about his endurance to continue pitching so well in his first season starting again, but I think people underestimate Dempster’s conditioning. He worked extremely hard in the off-season to prepare himself for this season and that work has obviously paid off.

Against the 4 other teams in the playoff picture right now Dempster is 5-0 in 7 starts. That stat alone is very promising. Z is 2-2 in 8 starts and Harden is 2-0 in 5 starts.

To me Dempster has been the steady hand all year long for the Cubs. If Lou didn’t feel the same way there is no way he would be starting Game 1 of the NLDS.

He doesn’t have to do anything special, just keep doing what he has done all year. He consistently keeps the Cubs in ballgames and I think it will all pay off come the postseason.

A Little Rant

All of this talk about the Cubs resting some of their regulars as the playoffs draw near is starting to bother me.

Watching the Cubs/Brewers game today on Fox, Sweet Lou was asked about resting his team and it seemed that he was getting rather tired of talking about it as well.

I am tired of hearing that just because we play some of our reserves we aren't trying to compete. I think the Brew Crew and Ben Sheets found out today that even our reserves compete too.

No matter who Lou puts out on to the field those nine guys are going to compete. They are not just going to roll over and give up! A number of them are still fighting for a roster spot in the playoffs!

Yes, the Cubs have been able to rest some of their regulars, but they have put a team out there that has stood toe to toe against the two teams left trying to win the Wild Card.

I don't know how the rest of you feel but I don't think the Cubs are trying to screw over the Brewers or the Mets and are playing these games fairly. Lou has done the same thing against the Brewers that he did with the series in New York.

Honestly, I have a feeling that the Brewers and Mets will end up playing a playoff on Monday to decide the Wild Card...which is the way I feel it should be anyways!

Feel free to let me know how you feel though!

The Peerless Leader

Frank Chance got his nickname "The Peerless Leader" after he led the Chicago Cubs to four pennants in five years (1906-1910).

He may be best known as the first baseman in the Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance double play combination.

Chance was a skillful fielder and hitter; but earns special recognition as the Chicago Cubs' inspirational player-manager.

The club's 116 victories in 1906 remain unbeaten in major league history.

(Photo courtesy of www.baseballlibrary.com)

100 Years of Memorable Players

So everyone knows that the Cubs have faced 100 years of heartbreak and losing seasons since their last World Series, but some great players have come through Chicago during that time as well.

A new feature on this blog will include a feature honoring the great Cubs of the past with a weekly profile of the player.

Look for the first great Cub profile to be posted soon!

Figuring out the Bullpen for the Playoffs

Everybody knew that yesterday's game against the Cardinals was going to include a lot of bench players and September call-ups since the Cubs had clinched the Central on Saturday. It was interesting listening to Len and Bob call the game on t.v. because it seemed they had to let the audience know who some of these guys were, almost like a spring training game all over again.

However, don't think for a second that this was just a throw away game for the Cubs. The players who took the field may not be fighting for a starting role, but they are fighting for consideration within the Cubs organization.

For the pitchers in the bullpen...this last week is an audition for a spot in the playoffs.

Chad Gaudin made his come back from back problems.

Jeff Samardzija is trying to solidify his role in the middle innings.

Bob Howry is trying to right his arm and get it ready for the playoffs.

Even little known Randy Wells is making an impression on management.

I feel that the Cubs bullpen will be an important part of the Cubs having a successful postseason and at least 2 if not 3 of the names mentioned above will figure into that scenario.

It's Down to 2

Yesterday's game I feel is a perfect example of the Cubs team this year. No matter what inning it is, the Cubs are not out of it. The Cubs have proved time and time again that you can never count them out.

Examples of the never say die Cubs:

April 23 - Ryan Theriot's two-out, RBI single in the 10th inning.

May 28 - Soto ties it in the 9th, Soriano wins it in the 10th.

May 30 - DeRosa caps improbable 8 run comeback against Rockies.

August 8 - Blanco comes through in the 11th.

August 15 - Ward's pitch-hit blast wins it for the Cubs.

September 18 - Soto's 3-run 9th inning blast sends game into extras, Lee ends it in the 12th.

When the pitching isn't perfect and there is a minor let down by the bullpen the Cubs offense seems to find a way to keep the Cubs in most ballgames.

Cubs Look Ready to Take the NL Central Crown

The Cubs/Astros series showed me a lot as to what type of a team the 2008 Chicago Cubs are.

The pitching performances by Carlos Zambrano and Ted Lilly were simply amazing.

I found myself in awe at what Lilly was able to do not even 24 hours after Zambrano's dominant performance. Zambrano had an overpowering arm on Sunday night, but Lilly did it differently. Lilly used all of his pitches to fool hitters and keep them off balance.

I personally felt that Lilly's performance was even more dominant then Zambrano's because he doesn't have the overpowering fastball that Big Z does. Lilly's ability to throw his curveball for a strike and place his fastball on both sides of the plate was truly a work of art.

The dominance of Z and Lilly though wasn't left alone. The bats also came alive against the Astros.

Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, Edmonds and Soto all had a big series and have helped the Cubs trim that all important magic number down to 6.

The next three days could close out the division for the Cubs.

Here is a look at the Cubs/Brewers Series.