Last Thursday Cubs manager Lou Piniella named his starter for game one of the National League Division Series and his name isn’t Zambrano. Piniella named 17-game winner Ryan Dempster as the starter, which by all accounts is the right decision. Dempster has been the man all year long for the Cubs. Every fifth day Demp has taken the ball and has got the job done nine times out of 10. As a result Dempster has earned the right to pitch in game one.
Many fans were skeptic when they heard that Dempster was leaving the closers role to return to the starting rotation, but from day one, even before and during spring training Dempster has worked his rear end off to get where he is now. In part it is why the Cubs are where they are at. He has been one of the most consistent pitchers for the Cubs all season.
The key for success for Dempster in game one is to continue to do what he has done all season long. There is no doubt that if Dempster performs like he has during the season the Cubs will be in good shape during the postseason.
Game two belongs to Carlos Zambrano. Who for all intents and purposes should’ve been the game one starter, but Big Z has become a mystery within himself. From August until now you don’t know which Z is going to show up. It could be good Z, the one who was absolutely filthy in his no-hit bid against the Houston Astros a few weekends ago or it could be bad Z, who loses his cool when something doesn’t go his way. Z was the Cubs ace at one point this year, but he has to earn that back by going out there this postseason and not necessarily throwing a no-no, but at least last longer than 2 2/3rds innings. Z’s key for success in game two is simple, keep his emotions in check.
Easier said than done, right? If big Z can do that he should have no problems. Zambrano’s Achilles heel of this season and for the better part of his career has been his ability to keep his emotions in check. Z’s always had the talent and the ability to be an ace hands down, but when he gets upset and huff’s and puff’s on the mound it really takes away the fact of how special a pitcher he really is. Zambrano himself has even acknowledged his temper tantrums and has said repeatedly in the past he’ll work on controlling his emotions. Well, talk is cheap Carlos. You want to prove to everyone that you deserve to be an ace then go out there in game two and pitch like everyone knows you’re capable of.
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