Ryan Dempster Will Start Game 1 of the NLDS

by Ryan at Cubshub on Sep 25, 2008 6:23 PM CDT Comment 24 comments

This isnt opinion, its fact. The Cubs confirmed it with a story over on Cubs.com (here)

Im a bit surprised with it, but its Lou's decision and I'm sure he knows what he's doing. Dempster has been the most consistant starter for the Cubs, so it makes sense.

From what I could tell there is no word as to who will start games 2 and 3, but Id imagine it'd be Harden followed by Z...

...and discuss...

Poll

Who should start game one for the Cubs?

Dempster

112 votes

Zambrano

8 votes

Harden

11 votes

Lilly

1 votes

132 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

I actually think that Harden should start Game 1-followed by Demp and Z

One season-162 heart attacks!

by cubswgnrocks on Sep 25, 2008 6:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Chris De Luca

of the Sun Times is saying it will be Lilly, Z, and Harden following Dempster.

Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.

by TCobb1911 on Sep 25, 2008 6:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Link?

Seems silly to waste Harden that late in the series.

One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought you ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth.
Joe Garagiola

by Ryan at Cubshub on Sep 25, 2008 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is no way that Lilly starts before Z and Harden.

No disrespect to Lilly, but he is not a game 2 starter

One season-162 heart attacks!

by cubswgnrocks on Sep 25, 2008 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't bank on it...

..if the Cubs play a team that struggles with lefties, it would probably be the right call.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Sep 25, 2008 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly.

And this is about winning, not “who’s a game 2 starter”. If Lou thinks Lilly gives him the best chance to win game 2 at home, that’s exactly what he should do.

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

by Al on Sep 25, 2008 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Where and if Lilly starts....

…..Depends on who they play. If it’s either Philadelphia, who’s best hitters are Lefties or the Mets, who have 5 LH hitters in the lineup, I think it’s conceivable that Lilly could pitch in Game 2.

Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen

by lemon20pie on Sep 26, 2008 12:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did Len say that Dempster will be starting Wednesday night?

If so, that’d be awesome instead of that day game crap.

Devin Hester, you are ridiculous! -Jeff Joniak

by ARAM FOR MVP on Sep 25, 2008 7:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

is a game time set yet?

2008 National League Central Division Champs!!!!!

by BradB311 on Sep 25, 2008 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its looking like 5 or 6:30pm

The Cubs would most likely be the B game

http://www.tbs.com/stories/story/0,,154864,00.html

"When I got to Chicago, fans came to Wrigley Field just to have fun, now they come to see us win. The expectations have changed, for the players and for the fans. It’s about winning." Kerry Wood, 7/14/08

by JB 23 on Sep 25, 2008 9:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

At the bottom of the page it says...

NLA = National League Division Winner versus Wildcard
NLB = Other Division Winners

So we will be playing the wildcard (Mets or Philly) and we will be the A game. Which makes sense, day games at Wrigley. Even if the Brewers managed to win the Wild Card, we would then play the Dodgers (worst record of the divisional champs). A Dodger/Cubs – Torre/Pinella series will still make us the ‘A’ game.

The thing I want to know is will it be at 1:30 or 3? If its at 3 I can leave work early, it’ll be hard to sneak out at 1:30 eastern for the first two games.

by blueapple on Sep 25, 2008 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ah, but...

… what if the Brewers win the wild card? They just won tonight, are still tied with the Mets. Then we’d play the Dodgers, which would put us in “NLB”.

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

by Al on Sep 25, 2008 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd pefer that, I'll be at work at lest one of those days and would miss the game completely

go Brewers

Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by DC Cubbie on Sep 25, 2008 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

For the Brewers to get in...

Wouldn’t the Cubs (vs said Brewers), Mets (vs Nats), and Phillies (vs Marlins) all have to lose two out of three games this weekend?

by blueapple on Sep 25, 2008 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Phillies are playing the Nats and the Mets are playing the Marlins.

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

by Al on Sep 26, 2008 7:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well deserved for Demp.

His home record is great and he’s been the most consistent pitcher on this staff.

DeRosa: And who is the best and who is the worst card player?

Dempster: I think the best is yourself. [ . . .] I think the worst player is D-Lee. I think he bets every time just to bet.

by EJThunder on Sep 25, 2008 10:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It's the smart move

Ryan Dempster will be ready for the challenge. Every good start in the playoffs adds another couple million to the minimum $50 million payday he’s going to get in free agency this winter. I’m guessin’ Carlos Zambrano starts game 2 and Rich Harden game 3. If it were me I’d flip those two.

by MDBNIU on Sep 25, 2008 10:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Somehow, I don't think Demp's contract

comes into play now. That was set by his performance during the season. It’s about winning games now, not contract. I realize it was just an obsevation about the contract, but that stuff is secondary now.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Sep 26, 2008 7:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs