The North Siders swept the Dodgers at home in a three-game series from May 26-28, and split a four-game set in Los Angeles from June 5-8.

I love the Cubs' starting staff, if only they can remain healthy. Zambrano might not be at full strength, and you can’t ever count on Rich Harden to not get injured. That being said, adding Ryan Dempster and Ted Lilly into the mix creates a four-headed monster that no team in the postseason can compare to.

Combined, the foursome went an astonishing 53-22 on the year. Dempster went a ridiculous 14-3 at Wrigley this year, while Game Two starter Carlos Zambrano went a solid 7-2.

Dempster and Zambrano went a combined 1-1 in four starts against the Dodgers this year, while Lilly and Harden didn’t face the Dodgers at all. That could seriously favor the Cubbies. In four opportunities, closer Kerry Wood was perfect, saving four games, while striking out eight and walking only one.

The Cubbies' lineup is stacked and has everything you need: speed, power, and average. All Cubs starters posted an .OBP of over .350, with the exception of exceptional leadoff hitter, Alfonso Soriano.

They have veteran presence in Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Soriano, Jim Edmonds, and Mark DeRosa. And they have solid youngsters in Ryan Theriot and Geovany Soto.

The Dodgers won the West with a subpar 84-78 record. They were helped and carried in large part by midseason addition, Manny Ramirez. They have a solid core of battle-tested veterans in Ramirez and Jeff Kent (possibly not in the series), and a nice trio of youngsters in Ethier, Kemp, and Loney.

The Dodgers have a very deep bench if you consider Juan Pierre, Andruw Jones, and Mark Sweeney. And let's not forget one of the best postseason managers ever in Joe Torre.

I’m not in love with the Dodgers' rotation, though. In two starts, Derek Lowe pitched very well against the Cubs, posting a 1-0 record with a sterling 1.93 ERA. Game Two starter, Chad Billingsley, got roughed up in his two starts against the Cubbies, posting an 0-1 record with a 4.91 ERA.

The Dodgers' bullpen worries me a little bit with Broxton having never experience a postseason before.

So, let’s add this up. Both teams’ first two probable starters went 1-1 against each other this year, and in the seven games played, there was only a one-run difference. I know how loud it can get at Chavez Ravine, and I think the Dodgers can win one game, but that’s it.

Call me crazy, but I don’t think the series will be as close as the numbers may suggest. I’m looking for a monster performance from both Ramirez’s, Aramis and Manny. I think the Cubs' starting staff and bullpen give them the edge. Don’t say I’m jinxing it, because a lot of people are picking the Cubbies, but here it goes:

Prediction: Cubs in four

There you have it! And just for good measure, I'm taking the Cubs over the Rays to win it all.

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