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Must Win TV: NLDS Game #3, Cubs vs. Dodgers, Saturday 10/4, 9:00 CT

Chicago Cubs @ Los Angeles Dodgers



Next Game

Chicago Cubs
@ Los Angeles Dodgers

Saturday, Oct 4, 2008, 9:07 PM CDT
Dodger Stadium

Rich Harden vs Hiroki Kuroda

Mostly cloudy with a 40-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 65.

Complete Coverage >


It's not as easy as willing it all to be right
Gotta be more than hope that it's right.
I wanna hear you laugh like you really mean it
Collapse into me tired with joy.

-- Snow Patrol, "Hands Open"
It never rains in California? It just might, today and tonight:

Today: Rain likely, mainly after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 67. South southeast wind 8 to 11 mph becoming west southwest. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. West southwest wind between 5 and 8 mph.

The Dodgers have played in Dodger Stadium for 47 seasons (since 1962). There have been 17 rainouts -- the last one was on April 17, 2000. You can bet that if it's still raining at game time, they will wait forever to play this game, rather than disrupt the entire postseason schedule.

There's not much more to say here that hasn't already been said. Win or go home with an extremely bitter taste. I'm a Cubs fan. I feel better than I did after Thursday's disaster, and won't give up until there are no more chances. Seven times in 54 five-game MLB playoff series, a team has done what the Cubs must do to win -- come back from an 0-2 deficit. That's 13% of the time.

I do have one more set of numbers which may be of interest. Remember how the Cubs were blowing everyone down at home all year, and how big the home-field advantage seemed to be? Not any more. Including the game of July 23, when the Cubs stopped a losing streak by winning at Arizona, the Cubs went 21-8 in their last 29 road games. In their last 29 home games (including the two NLDS losses), the Cubs are 16-13.

Maybe playing on the road will be better.

The mojo of the Gratuitious Geo Photos appears to have run out... so he won't be appearing today.

Just win, baby. Just win this one, and onward to tomorrow. Keep the faith. I will never lose mine.

Today's Starting Pitchers
Rich Harden
R. Harden
Cubs
vs. Hiroki Kuroda
H. Kuroda
Dodgers
10-2 W-L 9-10
2.07 ERA 3.73
181 SO 116
61 BB 42
11 HR 13
vs. LA -- vs. Cubs

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Rich Harden 5-1 12 12 0 0 0 0 71.0 39 17 14 6 30 89 1.77 .97

As has been the case all summer, the stat line above reflects Harden's numbers with the Cubs only. See the pitcher box above for his full-season stats.
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Hiroki Kuroda 9-10 31 31 2 2 0 0 183.1 181 85 76 13 42 116 3.73 1.22

On June 6 at Dodger Stadium, Hiroki Kuroda threw a four-hit shutout against the Cubs and struck out 11 -- the only hits were singles by Soriano, Theriot, Lee and Edmonds. He gave up only one earned run to the Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 27, in a game the Cubs won. So naturally, with a 0.59 ERA vs. the Cubs this year, Dodger fans will be expecting him to shut down our team. However -- in all other games this season besides those two, Kuroda's ERA is 4.13. Someone is hitting him (Soriano is 3-for-7 in the two games). Why not us?

Rich Harden has never faced the Dodgers. This, of course, got the national media saying things like, "Well, he's facing hitters who have never seen him before." Wrong. Manny Ramirez faced him quite a bit in the AL. This isn't necessarily a good thing for Harden; Manny is 3-for-11 against him, but all three hits are homers. The only other Dodger Harden has faced who is likely to start tonight is Casey Blake; Blake is 0-for-8 vs. Harden with five strikeouts. That's the kind of performance we need out of Harden against all the Dodgers, in order to win.

I'll be watching on TBS with the rest of you, the first Cubs postseason game I haven't attended in person since game five in Atlanta in 2003. And before you suggest that if they win, I don't go to other road games, keep in mind that I also went to Miami in 2003, where the Cubs won two of three.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Once again, a reminder that you can find the overflow comment threads, including the first pitch thread, on the right sidebar of both the front page and any interior page in the box headed "RECENT STORIES IN GAME THREADS". As for the other two NLDS games, the first pitch thread goes up shortly before the first pitch -- tonight at 9 pm CT -- then overflow threads will post every 45 minutes after that, at 9:45, 10:30, 11:15 and midnight CT.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

MLB Postseason on SB Nation

0 recs | Comment 429 comments

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Comments

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Al!

You seem a little more optimistic than your last recap. That’s good to hear.

This line from a movie, television show or other piece of popular culture pretty much sums up my entire personality.

by ScottieG33 on Oct 4, 2008 5:07 PM CDT   0 recs

BTW -- first

This line from a movie, television show or other piece of popular culture pretty much sums up my entire personality.

by ScottieG33 on Oct 4, 2008 5:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I feel better today.

Let’s win this thing.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Oct 4, 2008 5:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

so do I.

marginally.

"Can that be used in a sentence now as a swear word? as in "That was the most White Sox White Soxing call I’ve ever White Sox seen in all my years of watching this White Sox game. White Sox it all to hell!" Weeghman Park

by derv on Oct 4, 2008 5:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Tell you what...

since you’ve abandoned the Geo photos, maybe this will help.

by Damen Jackson on Oct 4, 2008 5:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If only.

Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008

by slcathena on Oct 4, 2008 5:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Chills for anyone else?

Channel your inner-Ted Lilly!

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 4, 2008 5:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I believe

This hurts.

by Emelie on Oct 4, 2008 6:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

LETS GO CUBBIES

CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP

by niuhuskie224 on Oct 4, 2008 5:08 PM CDT   0 recs

Lets hope the Cubs all channel their inner Ted Lilly

Show the nation, what they are really made of!

Go Cubs

"It's been surreal," said Cubs rookie catcher Geovany Soto, responding to a question about his unprecedented success and the team's drive to the playoffs. "Let's keep it surreal"

by Madison Cub Fan on Oct 4, 2008 5:15 PM CDT   0 recs

I'm feeling a little better.

They say the first one’s a doozy, lets hope the 3rd time is a charm!

Go Cubs!

Sometimes even hope isn't enough...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 4, 2008 5:16 PM CDT   0 recs

Three is my lucky number.

Let's take three...starting today!!

by sue369 on Oct 4, 2008 5:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

:-)

hope that luck holds.

Channel your inner-Ted Lilly!

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 4, 2008 5:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not only that

it’s a Magic Number!

(Or for another take…)

"The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible." ~Arthur C. Clarke

by Goodie1969 on Oct 4, 2008 6:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

thanks :)

Let's take three...starting today!!

by sue369 on Oct 4, 2008 6:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Let's try to do this today...

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Oct 4, 2008 5:16 PM CDT   0 recs

There is no try, only do.

Sometimes even hope isn't enough...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 4, 2008 5:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ha, ha. OK, HBCG, you win! :-)

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Oct 4, 2008 5:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm feeling feisty.

I hope the Cubs are too.

Sometimes even hope isn't enough...

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 4, 2008 5:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

oh oh.... cubbie girl feeling feisty

Good sign for the evening ahead I believe!!

"It's been surreal," said Cubs rookie catcher Geovany Soto, responding to a question about his unprecedented success and the team's drive to the playoffs. "Let's keep it surreal"

by Madison Cub Fan on Oct 4, 2008 5:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Heh heh.

Calm down HBCG, I’m not there yet!

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Oct 4, 2008 5:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, hurry up!

Besides feisty makes it way easier to stomach Stockton…. who I loathe.

Channel your inner-Ted Lilly!

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 4, 2008 5:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm at the corner

Better be ready for me!

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Oct 4, 2008 5:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

haha

Good luck finding my place, I live on a road that doesn’t exist. (Truly, its a dirt road that disappears off the map. Even my uncle the town chief of police has trouble finding the place). :-P

Channel your inner-Ted Lilly!

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 4, 2008 5:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm the government

I’m sure I won’t have a problem! ;)

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Oct 4, 2008 5:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm all for channelling our inner Yoda

A little Force never hurt anyone. ;)

Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008

by slcathena on Oct 4, 2008 5:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not much of a Star Wars fan

but that quote is the one that always stuck with me.

Channel your inner-Ted Lilly!

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 4, 2008 5:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

My Kingdom

For a Cubbie Victory. And here’s hoping the late start keeps the naysayers away.

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Oct 4, 2008 5:18 PM CDT   0 recs

Good point;

one can only hope

Tommie Agee was out.

by Weeghman Park on Oct 4, 2008 5:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Confidence is high....

I repeat, confidence is high…………

"This is a game to be savored, not gulped. There's time to discuss everything between pitches or between innings." -- Bill Veeck

by MOCubsfan on Oct 4, 2008 5:26 PM CDT   0 recs

we will win tonight.

"Can that be used in a sentence now as a swear word? as in "That was the most White Sox White Soxing call I’ve ever White Sox seen in all my years of watching this White Sox game. White Sox it all to hell!" Weeghman Park

by derv on Oct 4, 2008 5:26 PM CDT   0 recs

Bottom line

We just have to win. If the players get that, they’ll step it up and keep their heads in the game.

GO CUBS GO!!!

Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008

by slcathena on Oct 4, 2008 5:27 PM CDT   0 recs

+ 1

Let's take three...starting today!!

by sue369 on Oct 4, 2008 5:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not Dead Yet
Dead Collector: Bring out yer dead. [Hits gong]
    Large Man: Here’s one.
    Dead Collector: Ninepence.
    Dead Body: I’m not dead!
    Dead Collector: What?
    Large Man: Nothing. Here’s your ninepence.
    Dead Body: I’m not dead!
    Dead Collector: ‘Ere, he says he’s not dead.
    Large Man: Yes he is.
    Dead Body: I’m not!
    Dead Collector: He isn’t!
    Large Man: Well, he will be soon, he’s very ill.
    Dead Body: I’m getting betta!
    Large Man: No you’re not, you’ll be stone dead in a moment.
    Dead Collector: I can’t take ‘im like that! It’s against regulation!

by 08Cubs on Oct 4, 2008 5:27 PM CDT   0 recs

LMAO

the audio of that is my brother-in-law’s ringtone for me when I call.

Channel your inner-Ted Lilly!

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 4, 2008 5:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Chicago Cubs

search for the Hly Grail.

Nice!

"This is a game to be savored, not gulped. There's time to discuss everything between pitches or between innings." -- Bill Veeck

by MOCubsfan on Oct 4, 2008 5:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If the cubs win this series

Maybe I should go see Spamalot in Soho.

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Oct 4, 2008 5:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

THUMBS UP...GO CUB....

Most of us feel better..time heals all wounds ….Lets win this in L.A. and return home ..No errors tonight ……

by cubs north on Oct 4, 2008 5:28 PM CDT   0 recs

I actually feel

good about this game. Please win tonight Cubs!!!

Let's take three...starting today!!

by sue369 on Oct 4, 2008 5:30 PM CDT   0 recs

I do too.

Pressure on the Dodgers to deliver game 3, so important to get that early lead and never let go and I believe the hitters will finally show up.

GO CUBS ! ! ! !

by JFCubFan on Oct 4, 2008 5:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

As long as those hitters also brought their gloves

I think this could be a good day.

Channel your inner-Ted Lilly!

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 4, 2008 5:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I almost dare to feel good about this game...

does that count?

Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008

by slcathena on Oct 4, 2008 5:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You betcha.

Let's take three...starting today!!

by sue369 on Oct 4, 2008 5:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe I'm silly...

but I think the pressure is off this team. Just go play good, solid baseball and see what happens…

Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!

by DKT on Oct 4, 2008 5:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not silly at all.

Makes a lot of sense.

Let's take three...starting today!!

by sue369 on Oct 4, 2008 5:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

sweet. :)

Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008

by slcathena on Oct 4, 2008 6:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I feel much better today

And I’m not gonna go down without a fight, I still believe in this team.

by southloop on Oct 4, 2008 5:30 PM CDT   0 recs

The first of 11 post-season victories comes tonight...

The Cubs need one of their patented five run offensive outbursts to get them going. Soriano single, Theriot walk, DeLee double, etc…

Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!

by DKT on Oct 4, 2008 5:34 PM CDT   0 recs

+1

I really want you to be right. :)

Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008

by slcathena on Oct 4, 2008 6:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not to get too far ahead of myself...

but WHEN we win tonight, what time will tomorrow’s game be?

by kanderber on Oct 4, 2008 5:34 PM CDT   0 recs

6 pm Central

Channel your inner-Ted Lilly!

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 4, 2008 5:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh, a nice midnight start for me.

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Oct 4, 2008 5:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks, I hadn't heard either.

Let's take three...starting today!!

by sue369 on Oct 4, 2008 5:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

^^ Crosses sue off list of people to go to when I need to know things

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Oct 4, 2008 5:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, I'm not a good rescource.

Let's take three...starting today!!

by sue369 on Oct 4, 2008 6:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Looked it up on Dish.

:-)

Hope its right.

Channel your inner-Ted Lilly!

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 4, 2008 5:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

not to question the all knowing HBCG

but I thought it was 8pm. There are 4 games tomorrow, in theory

"It's been surreal," said Cubs rookie catcher Geovany Soto, responding to a question about his unprecedented success and the team's drive to the playoffs. "Let's keep it surreal"

by Madison Cub Fan on Oct 4, 2008 5:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I thought it 9pm eastern time....

blah

"It's been surreal," said Cubs rookie catcher Geovany Soto, responding to a question about his unprecedented success and the team's drive to the playoffs. "Let's keep it surreal"

by Madison Cub Fan on Oct 4, 2008 6:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

My guide on DirecTV

shows the Cubs starting time as 9 pm CT.

Let's take three...starting today!!

by sue369 on Oct 4, 2008 6:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

dangitdangit

another DVR for this gal

This hurts.

by Emelie on Oct 4, 2008 6:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

DON'T MAKE ANY OTHER PLANS......

Cubs will by on the tube 6 pm Central it is…..I am going to get some Old Style….

by cubs north on Oct 4, 2008 5:38 PM CDT   0 recs

WHAT? I thought it was 9:25 central tomorrow?

That’s what it is listed as.

"Can that be used in a sentence now as a swear word? as in "That was the most White Sox White Soxing call I’ve ever White Sox seen in all my years of watching this White Sox game. White Sox it all to hell!" Weeghman Park

by derv on Oct 4, 2008 5:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It is.

I can’t read.

Sorry everyone.

Channel your inner-Ted Lilly!

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 4, 2008 5:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Darnit HBCG

A nice midnight start turned into a 3:30am start. No fair!

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Oct 4, 2008 5:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

My bad.

Channel your inner-Ted Lilly!

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 4, 2008 5:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You're gonna suffer for that

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Oct 4, 2008 5:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Whatever.

Channel your inner-Ted Lilly!

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 4, 2008 5:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey!!!

You will respect my authoritai!

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Oct 4, 2008 5:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You're the government & Cartman?

Scary.

Channel your inner-Ted Lilly!

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 4, 2008 5:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That doesn't even begin to cover it

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Oct 4, 2008 5:55 PM