Obviously we root for the Cubs... but who else in the NL?

The D-Backs have too much pitching and now a certified Cub-wounder (I hesitate to say “-killer”) in Adam Dunn. Plus no D-Backs means less hand-wringing about last year’s postseason during the broadcasts.

I’d personally rather see the Dodgers. I’m not sold on their pitching and it seems like Saito (currently on the DL) was one of the Dodgers that hurt the Cubs the most.

Manny? Yes, he’s good, and I think he’s a LOCK for the HOF, but who else on their roster is scary? Matt Kemp, Jeff Kent, Russell Martin, Juan Pierre? Not scary. Compare those guys to Mark Reynolds (20+ HR), Adam Dunn, Justin Upton, Stephen Drew, Chad Tracy, etc, and its pretty obvious that the DBacks are the better hitters.

Kuroda, Penny, etc, arent all that scary compared to Haren, Webb, and Johnson.

From here on out, I suppose I root for the Dodgers in addition to the Cubs.

Honestly, I’ve never been a big fan of walking someone intentionally unless…

1.) With two outs It sets up an easier out for the defense. (Ex: Runner at 2nd or 2nd and 3rd)
2.) If it sets up the double play if there is only 1 out. (Ex: Runner at 2nd)
3.) If its a top 5 slugger, in a tight game (up 2 or less after the 7th inning) with 2 outs.

I’d NEVER give an IBB to a slugger, regardless of who they are, unless it falls into one of those three categories. That being said, I think Manny is good enough to fit the ‘top 5 slugger’ description above, and I’d give him a free pass in situation #3.

Just because the Cubs seemed to handle the Dodgers pretty well earlier in the year, and yes I know they didn’t have Manny. Those 90’s expansion teams (Marlins, D’backs) seem to give us fits, especially when we play in Phoenix.

But I’d rather face the Dodgers. Bank Holding Company Park hasn’t been friendly to the Cubs since Day 1.

The Dodgers pitching is suspect. if you don’t think that line up isn’t adequate, you just haven’t seen that team enough. They have more than enough punch to win a weak division. Russell Martin’s a stud. Kent is a very good young hitter. It is not obvious the D-Backs have a stronger line-up. Right now, Manny has energized that entire team. But—that pitching isn’t good enough to win in the playoffs. I’d rather see the Cubs attack that staff. Jonathan Broxton is an adequate closer in Saito’s absence.

The D-Backs are still floundering, but I’m scared of their pitching. That, alone could keep them afloat in a short series.

And pick the Nationals.

If they are as good as we believe they are it doesn’t matter.

Brandon Webb, Danny Haren, Randy Johnson….plus Tony Pena and Brandon Lyon in that bullpen. The thought causes cold sweats.

to face the Dodgers but for me that would be the ultimate horror if we lost to them. Having grown up in L.A. from the age of 7 to 33, I had to put up with many Dodger fans and this would make my life just miserable if we were to lose. Beating them would be fantastic just like when the Bulls knocked off the Lakers but the agony of going through that series would just wear me out. I think we can beat the Diamondbacks so I would prefer to see the Cubs face them instead of the Dodgers.

Are we sure that we won’t end up facing a team from the East. I mean the Wild Card is still pretty wide open. Mets or Phillies could overtake the brewers or Cards

we are gonna whoop all comers this post season.

No NL West team will go any where this post season. Heck they will be lucky to have a team finish above .500. The real threat is in the east. The east is playing tough the last month or so.

By later moves, I’m a naturalized citizen of Braves’ nation and Rockies’ nation.

Since neither the Braves or Rockies are going to the playoffs this year, I’m staking everything on the Cubs, and I don’t really care who they play.

It is indoor stadiums with the roofs closed that give our team fits this year. We did great against the Brew-crew when they had their roof open. When we went to play the Astros and D-Backs with the roofs closed… our guys can’t see the ball. Tampa Bay and Toronto are other examples. The day that Toronto had the roof open for awhile we did fine.

Derek absolutely can’t see the thing when he is playing indoors. Maybe he needs to get the yellow-tint glasses that the Olympic shooters use? The young guys, and for some unexplained reason, Edmonds do fine. Maybe if we end up playing the D-backs in October we can insist that they open the roof? :) Milwaukee too!!!