Starting pitching
The Cubs appear to have the NL’s best rotation, led by former closer Ryan Dempster, who will start Game 1. But there are questions around Carlos Zambrano, the projected Game 2 starter who threw a no-hitter against Houston on Sept. 14 but has been shaky in two subsequent starts. He has had elbow problems this season. Rich Harden, picked up from Oakland at midseason, has been sterling and gets the call in Game 3. Veteran lefty Ted Lilly gives the Cubs a reliable fourth starter. Dempster set career marks in wins, ERA and batting-average-against and has terrific home numbers (14-3, 2.86 ERA).
Veteran Derek Lowe, a sinker/slider pitcher with a history of success in the postseason, pitched like an ace down the stretch and gets the call in Game 1 for L.A. Hard-throwing righty Chad Billingsley will throw Game 2, followed by right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, a 33-year-old free-agent acquisition from Japan. Edge: Cubs
Bullpen
When L.A. closer Takashi Saito was sidelined for more than a month with a torn elbow ligament, the bullpen looked doomed and the season was in doubt. But flame- thrower Jonathan Broxton (95-97 mph fastball, 90 mph slider) shuts down right-handed hitters and morphed into a reliable closer (0.79 ERA in 12 September appearances). Hong-Chih Kuo is a consistent setup man, and Chan Ho Park reinvented himself as a sinker/slider pitcher who’s effective against right- handers.
The Cubs’ bullpen is an interesting mix, with former starter Kerry Wood having switched roles with Dempster and now closing. Wood had 34 saves. Right-hander Carlos Marmol recovered from a midseason swoon to lead all major-league relievers with 114 strikeouts. Edge: Dodgers
At the plate
The Cubs’ potent lineup could trade punches with the best in the American League. The Cubs led the NL in on-base percentage, walks, doubles, slugging percentage and runs scored.
One of the keys will be Geovany Soto, the first NL rookie catcher to start an All-Star Game. He led all NL rookies in home runs (23), doubles (35) and RBIs (86). Alfonso Soriano sets the tone from the top of the order, while Derek Lee and Aramis Ramirez are dangerous run producers. Ramirez, however, has been a bust in the postseason (.196 average in 56 postseason at-bats.)
The Dodgers, of course, have Manny Ramirez, who almost single-handedly lifted them into the postseason after his acquisition from Boston. The other consistently dangerous bat in L.A.’s lineup is right fielder Andre Ethier, who hit .462 in September. The rest of the Dodgers’ lineup is inconsistent, at best. Edge: Cubs
In the field
Both are average on defense. The Cubs’ strengths are behind the plate with Soto and on the right side, with Lee a Gold Glove first baseman and Kosuke Fukudome an excellent defender in right field. Soriano continues to be an adventure in left field.
The Dodgers’ defense is much better with Blake DeWitt at second over the aging and immobile Jeff Kent, who will be used off the bench. In left, Manny is, well, Manny. Edge: Even
Managers
The Cubs’ Lou Piniella is boisterous and tends to push his players, at least publicly, much more than Dodgers boss Joe Torre, a calming presence who got a disjointed club to play together. Edge: Cubs
Key player: Dodgers LF Manny Ramirez
It’s got to be Manny. Just as he lifted the Dodgers from also-rans into legitimate contenders, he also can lift a team in a playoff series. After being traded from Boston, where he at last wore out his welcome, Manny did everything L.A. could want. In the season’s final two months, he led the majors in RBIs (53), batting average (.396), on-base percentage (.489) and slugging percentage (.743). He’s a force of nature the Cubs must quiet and the one player who could lift the underdog Dodgers past the heavily favored Cubs in a five-game series.
Patrick Saunders predicts: Cubs in four
