Posts tagged ‘NLCS’

Maybe the Cubs already put in their $.02 on this topic by winning today’s game…something about Ted Lilly’s hitless first 6 innings registered loud and clear. However, after Lou Piniella announced that Angel Guzman was starting in Milwaukee on Sunday instead of Carlos Zambrano, the answer to the above question clouded up a bit.

Ron Santo’s mind has to be racing tonight, knowing that the Cubs might not have to play in Shea Stadium next week. I just wonder if he’ll accidentally scream “Ohhh noooooooo!” if the Cubs win their final game of the season. If they don’t and the Brewers win, Milwaukee is that much closer to a Wild Card berth and would nudge out the NY Mets (if they lose to the Marlins). The Cubs can’t dispute that games 3, 4, and 5 of the NL Pennant-determining Series would feel a little more, um, in reach if played 90 miles north of Wrigley Field. And yet the Cubs weren’t doing Milwaukee any favors in today’s game. Then that pesky Big Z announcement came.

It couldn’t have been a hard decision for the Cubs to make. Yeah yeah there’s that nagging question of how effective Carlos will be in the playoffs, but let’s leave that to the conspiracy idiots to pontificate on. I’ll just say that Carlos Zambrano 2003-2007 doesn’t tell team officials that he’d feel more comfortable throwing long toss than facing batters. And there’s more to point at and question, but I’m not one to rain on the victory parade that we all pray takes place downtown at the end of October. I guess I’m just happier carrying an umbrella with me for those days with questionable forecasts.

Lucky for all Cubs fan pessimists/parade rainers, Miller Park has a roof that doesn’t leak.

Mainly, though, I just want to know who the Cubs are going to face in the first round, and it could be drawn out until Monday afternoon depending in part on how effective Angel Guzman’s fastball is. I’m anxious to see how much “Lilly” he has in him. Whether it’s the Dodgers in the first round of the playoffs or those Mets, the Cubs are going to need that same spirit that bowled over Yadier Molina at home plate.

Who knows…Lilly himself might be called upon earlier than expected this week. But you didn’t hear it from me. Now seriously…get out of here and go play outside with your friends.