Come To Think of It...Cubs' Pitching Not Ready for Prime-Time in Game One

Perhaps it was fitting that Jim Belushi sang the seventh-inning stretch. After all, it was his late brother's "Not Ready for Prime-Time Players" on Saturday Night Live that first made the claim to fame.

Well, on Wednesday night, live at Wrigley Field, it was a Cubs starter, Ryan Dempster, that was not ready for prime-time.

No, Ryan Dempster didn't lose his cool; he never had any. He was a bundle of nerves from the start, and his control suffered as a result. Composure was just a rumor to Dempster.

The Cubs eventually lost to the Dodgers, 7-2.

Yep, this was the first ever start for Dempster in a playoff game. Some guys rise to the challenge; Dempster sunk like a rock. You say one bad pitch, but I say it was many bad pitches.

Seven walks are what put him in trouble in this game. Yes, he threw a meatball that was crushed for a grand slam by James Loney, but it was his inability to throw strikes that put him in that position.

And then Manager Lou Piniella had to go with another inexperienced pitcher in Sean Marshall. He gave up a homer to Manny, and was followed by rookie Jeff Samardzija, who gave up a run in the eighth. 

For all of the supposed depth and talent of the Cubs staff, there aren't a lot of guys that have done this before. And it shows.

Dempster choked, plain and simple. With his collar too tight, he reminded us once again why teams go out and acquire Derek Lowe, Josh Beckett, Greg Maddux, and others like them. They are not just talented, they are gamers. They pitch best when it means something. Money players, if you will.

Other than Mark DeRosa, the offense was pretty much nonexistent. Cubs fans are disappointed, but they still believe. However, the Cubs have basically lost the home-field advantage they worked so hard all season to earn. One game and *Poof!*—it's gone.

Listen, I'm sick of the losing and the unfulfilled promise of years past. I'm tired of hearing "lovable losers" and the "friendly confines." This team felt different, but so far, it's just more of the same. I want the Cubs to really show me something tomorrow and come back with a vengeance.

And you know what burns me even more? The Cubs giving Lou another season on his contract before he's finished the job. Look, this is the most talented team the Cubs have had in many decades. If they don't get past this series, how can you hand out option years like they're candy? Where's the justification?

This may be the only town that rewards failure.

Heck, even Dusty Baker, whom this town now vilifies, got the Cubs past the first round. But this town loves Sweet Lou, and he seemingly can do no wrong. If he wins the World Series, he might even approach Mike Ditka status in this town. 

Now it comes down to Carlos Zambrano on the mound in a must-win situation on Thursday. Cubs fans are concerned, not only because Big Z has been so inconsistent, but also because he doesn't normally handle pressure all that well. He's been known to break a bat or two over his leg and exchange a few punches here and there with teammates.

Which Zambrano will we see: the no-hit Zambrano or the one that pitched just awfully in his next two starts?

The Cubs' dream season comes down to Thursday night. Come to think of it, let's hope the Cubs right the ship before the dream sails away.