Playoff Schedule: Chicago Cubs – Los Angeles Dodgers

by Jerod Morris

For the first time in over 100 years, the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox are both in the playoffs in the same year. Fans throughout Windy City, Midwest sports fans across the region, and even sports fans general across the country, would love to see an L Series between the White Sox and Cubs. Earlier, I posted what we currently know of the White Sox first round playoff series against the Rays. The Cubs – Dodgers series is a little more set in stone in terms of pitching matchups. Here is the schedule, all times Central:

Game 1 – Wednesday, Oct 1 – 5:30 — LA Dodgers @ Chicago Cubs: Derek Lowe (14-11) v Ryan Demptster (17-6)

Game 2 – Thursday, Oct 2 – 8:30 — LA Dodgers @ Chicago Cubs: Chad Billingsley (16-10) v Carlos Zambrano (14-6)

Game 3 – Saturday, Oct 4 – 9:00 — Chicago Cubs @ LA Dodgers: Rich Harden (10-2) v Hiroki Kuroda (9-10)

(if necessary)

Game 4 – Sunday, Oct 5 – TBD — Chicago Cubs @ LA Dodgers: Ted Lilly (17-9) v TBA

Game 5 – Tuesday, Oct 7 – TBD — LA Dodgers @ LA Dodgers: TBA v TBA

This is a really interesting matchup. The Cubs have been the most consistent team in the NL this season, and we all know how well they play at home. That strength in Wrigley makes me want to lean towards picking them. But Manny Ramirez has completely changed the complexion and ability of this Dodgers team. He is absolutely in a zone and seems intent on continuing to prove that he deserves a big contract after the season, despite his advancing age and increasingly petulant behavior (at least while he was in Boston).

I am at war with myself over this series. On the one hand, I love the White Sox and have always hated the Cubs. My first instinct is to root for a three game sweep by the Dodgers. But, the prospect of a Windy City Series is pretty intriguing. So I guess as long as the White Sox are still playing (which will be all the way through the World Series) there is a part of me that won’t exactly be upset if the Cubs keep winning. And I do think that the homefield advantage will carry the Cubs to a victory.

Plus, the Dodgers are going to lose their first home game of the series when Rich Harden takes on Hiroki Kuroda. Assuming Harden’s arm doesn’t spontaneously fall off between now and then (always a possibility for baseball’s version of Donte Stallworth) you can chalk that game up to the Cubs. I don’t see any way the Dodgers take two out of three in Wrigley, assuming they would win game 4 in Chavez Ravine.

So, at least after round one, I think the dreams of an L Series, or a Windy City Series, or whatever you want to call it, will still be alive. We’ll see if the Cubs can hold up their end of the bargain. The White Sox won it all in 2005 and have less to prove in this year’s playoffs. It doesn’t mean they don’t want to win just as badly, but the Cubs NEED to win. This the best team/best chance they’ve had in a long time. There isn’t ever a lot of hope on the North Side anyway, but if they can’t get it done this year, whatever there is will quickly evaporate into the drunken, aloof stupor that typically defines Cubs fans.

Don’t take offense Cubs fans. It’s nothing personal. Just true.

[tags]chicago cubs, los angeles dodgers, mlb playoffs, baseball, mlb[/tags]

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