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Dave
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Post subject: Possible playoff matchups for Cubs
 Posted: Sep 22, 2008 - 09:13 PM CST
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Joined: Apr 18, 2005
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The Cubs might not know until Sunday, maybe even Monday, whom they'll face in the first round of the playoffs. They are most likely to meet the Mets or Phillies, but could face the Dodgers or Diamondbacks. It's arguable whom they match up best against, but here's an early look, in the order in which the Cubs would have the best chance to win a series:
1. Diamondbacks
They'll play the Cubs if: They win the West and Milwaukee wins the wild card.
Season series: The Cubs won 4-2.
Reasons to believe: Since a 21-9 start, the Diamondbacks have gone 57-68. Arizona's lineup is loaded with all-or-nothing hitters prone to being shut down by the Cubs' pitchers, who lead the NL in strikeouts. The poor pitching of Brandon Lyon and Jon Rauch caused the bullpen to unravel.
Causes for concern: Arizona swept the Cubs in the first round a year ago. Brandon Webb (above) is on track to win his second Cy Young Award. He joins Dan Haren and Randy Johnson in a rotation that would be tough to beat.
Remaining schedule (4 away, 3 home):
• Monday-Thursday at St. Louis (2-1 in series this season)
• Friday-Sunday vs. Colorado (11-3 in series)
2. Dodgers
They'll play the Cubs if: They win the West and Milwaukee wins the wild card.
Season series: Cubs won 5-2.
Reasons to believe: Los Angeles was a sub-.500 team as recently as Sept. 2. For the season, the Dodgers rank 13th in the NL in runs and home runs. The injury to closer Takashi Saito unsettled the bullpen. Saito has returned, leaving Joe Torre to choose between Saito and Jonathan Broxton in save situations.
Causes for concern: No NL team has been hotter than the Dodgers, who have gone 16-4 since Aug. 30 as Manny Ramirez (above) and Andre Ethier have turned around a stagnant lineup. Derek Lowe is the hottest starter in the NL, going 5-1 over seven starts with a 1.14 ERA since Aug. 15. Torre's teams have gone 16-9 in postseason series, winning four World Series.
Remaining schedule (3 home, 3 away):
• Tuesday-Thursday vs. San Diego (9-6)
• Friday-Sunday at San Francisco (8-7)
3. Phillies
They'll play the Cubs if: Phillies take the wild-card spot.
Season series: Phillies won 4-3.
Reasons to believe: Citizen's Bank Park is a good fit for a Cubs team that has a pitching staff that leads the NL in strikeouts and a lineup filled with guys who can hit home runs. Phillies starter Brett Myers is showing signs of unraveling, losing two of his last three starts and allowing 10 runs to Florida on Friday.
Causes for concern: Cole Hamels and Myers, Philadelphia's likely 1-2 combination, are 10-3 with a 2.73 ERA since Aug. 15. The Cubs don't have a dominating lefty in the bullpen to match up against Ryan Howard (left) or Chase Utley in late innings. Brad Lidge has been the NL's best closer in the regular season.
Remaining schedule (6 home):
• Monday-Wednesday vs. Atlanta (13-2)
• Friday-Sunday vs. Washington (9-6)
4. Mets
They'll play the Cubs if: Mets take the wild-card spot.
Season series: Cubs lead 2-0 with four games this week in New York.
Reasons to believe: Jerry Manuel's team is without injured closer Billy Wagner and has major bullpen problems—10th in the NL with a 4.14 ERA and second with 28 blown saves. Its lineup is loaded with big-name players but has a history of being less than the sum of its parts.
Causes for concern: In a best-of-five series, teams can start their top two starters in four of the games. The Mets have an ultra-strong ace in Johan Santana (4-0, 1.82 ERA since Aug. 15) and a solid No. 2 in Mike Pelfrey (3-2, 2.69). Ultimately, Santana (right) is probably the one guy any team would least like to meet in the postseason, thus the guy the Cubs should hope they can avoid.
Remaining schedule (6 home):
• Monday-Thursday vs. CUBS (0-2)
• Friday-Sunday vs. Florida (9-6)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ch ... 2010.story |
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