Game One Recap: D'Backs 3 Cubs 1

I waited four years for this.

Four years after I suffered the most heart breaking moment of my life, the Cubs came out and lost game one of the 2007 NLDS.

Pitching on both sides dominated the game. Brandon Webb (1-0) picked up the win when the Diamondbacks scored two runs off of reliever Carlos Marmol (0-1) in the bottom of the 7th inning.

The D'Backs scored two of their runs off of long home runs from Stephen Drew and Mark Reynolds. Drew, a .238 hitter in 2007 and Reynolds--known to D'Back fans as MarKKKKK--for striking out nine-straight times--tying a major league record.

Carlos Zambrano, who is now winless in his five playoff starts, was the "Big Z" that I wish could show up for 33 starts a year. He struck out eight and only walked one while throwing only 85 pitches.

While some will criticize manager Lou Piniella for pulling "Z" after only 85 pitches, take into consideration that he has to pitch game four (which WILL be necessary) and that Marmol was dominant in his first full campaign as a reliever.

Now, after Marmol's last two outings, I'm worried that "Marmol-aid" is tiring down the stretch. His slider is hanging more often than not--and when his slider hangs it gets hit and hit hard!

The Cubs offense could only scratch out one run off of Webb. Not surprising, especially after taking into consideration that Webb had a 4-1 career record against the Cubs coming into the NLDS.

The Cubs biggest offensive problem wasn't getting people on base, instead it was driving them in. They left 17 guys on base tonight. 17 under the "LOB" column in the scorecard isn't gonna win many games (if any!)

I'll be honest, I didn't give the Cubs much of a chance against B-Webb (knowing his past record againt the Cubs) and while taking that into consideration---that makes game two even bigger.

The Cubs will throw Ted Lilly a.k.a. "Mr. Neversmile" against the D'Backs Doug Davis--whose career ERA against the Cubs is under four.

Expect some changes in the Cub line-up tomorrow night. I think Mark DeRosa will bat second tomorrow night (batting .283 against lefties) with Jacque Jones hitting 8th and Matt Murton getting the start in right field (batting .319 against lefties this year.)

Contrary to popular belief, I'm not going to get too down about this loss.

MY PREDICTION: The sun will rise tomorrow, and the Cubs will win game two!

Don't give up the faith!