Dodgers Look to Sweep Cubs: Game Three Preview

To say the Dodgers have dominated the first two games of this year's NLDS is a gross understatement. 

They have chewed up and spit out the Cubs as if they were a pack of Big Red.

This series had promised to be one for the ages. 

Both teams were looking for redemption and escape from their pathetic playoff reputations. Veteran managers faced off and two of the best pitching staffs in the league were to engage in battle—though only one of them showed up. 

Geovany Soto and Russell Martin were the only All Star catchers for the N.L. this season, but both have been relatively quiet thus far.

The Dodgers have posted 17 runs while allowing only five by the Cubs. Manny Ramirez—a.k.a. Dr. October—has homered in each of the two games, and Loney's grand slam will be remembered for a while, especially by those obnoxious fans who were unlucky enough to be in Northern Chicago that evening. 

The return of Rafael Furcal and Takashi Saito have only made it worse for these fans.

Ryan Dempster could not find the plate to save his life on Wednesday.  Every Dodger got on base and it's surprising that they didn't win by more than five runs. 

Carlos Zambrano had a terrible showing last night, getting beat up by five runs in the second inning. Surely the four errors by the Cubs did not help Z.

Like the aroma of cinnamon gum, the sweet taste of victory in the MLB postseason can be very short lived. 

As the Dodgers fumble around in the janitorial closets at Chavez Ravine looking for a broom, the Cubs are hanging onto their last thread of hope. They are completely out of options. 

They must win these next two games at Dodger Stadium just for a chance to finish the job back home.

The deep pitching rotations of both teams provides us with another great matchup on Saturday. The visiting Cubs will send out Rich Harden and the Dodgers will answer with Hiroki Kuroda.

Kuroda is masterful at home. 

He boasts a record of 6-2 while allowing the opposing teams to bat an impressive .241.  He has been known to get as hot as a raging inferno at Dodger Stadium, and it is certainly possible for it to happen again in Game Three.

Statistically, Rich Harden is even better away from Wrigley than Kuroda is at home. He has just one less win at 5-2, an ERA of 2.50 and is holding batters right near the Mendoza Line. Clearly a shutdown pitcher, but has he lost confidence after the beatings Dempster, Zambrano, and the bullpen have suffered?

The shift in venue will definitely provide a huge change in game dynamics. 

The ball will not get lost in any shrubbery in the outfield, and Wrigley home runs will merely become long flyballs. Neither pitcher gives up many home runs, and it will be emphasized by the field.

Of course, the Dodgers will want to close the series out with a sweep at home, but the Cubs are under immense pressure to win. 

They will need Harden to be at his best, and right-handed batters should look to exploit Manny's lack of speed in left field.

It is not asking too much for Manny to homer again—but it is improbable. 

If Kuroda brings his "A" game, the Dodgers will win. Even if Kuroda runs into early trouble, Prof. Maddux and young Clayton Kershaw should be able to pick up the slack. 

They have a marginally comfortable cushion and must play with the confidence they have been showing lately. Expect Kemp and Ethier to bring their bats and Furcal and Berroa their gloves.

My prediction: The Dodgers will take care of business in front of the home crowd and sweep the Cubs into 2009. They will win a modest, low-scoring game by a score of 3-2.