Suck It Up, Crybabies

But amazingly, and contrary to the popular opinion of hackish media types and ledge-jumping fans, the Cubs only lost one game last night.  Not three.

Not that you would know it from reading the local papers this morning.

The Cubs spent six months working and hitting and pitching and fielding and sweating to get home-field advantage in the playoffs, and they gave it away in five innings. They might’ve given this series away, too, because losing the first game at home in a five-game series is exponentially more disastrous than doing it in a seven-game series. - Steve Rosenbloom

Bringing a feeling of dread and dejection back to Wrigley Field, which is world-famous for it, the Cubs lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 7-2, Wednesday night to accept their seventh postseason whipping in a row. What did you expect?  They are just Cubs being Cubs. - 185-year-old Mike Downey

Thank the Lord that Jay Mariotti is unemployed, so we’re not subjected to whatever nonsense he would have to say about the game.

The Cubs didn’t lose because they’re the Cubs.  They lost mostly because of one bad pitch by Dempster, on a 1-2 count to James Loney.  If he gets that pitch out a little bit more, and Loney pops it up, I’m probably sitting here today talking about what a great win it was for the Cubs.

But, of course, I’m not talking about that.

Tonight, everyone turns to watch Carlos Zambrano and wonders what they’re going to get from the most enigmatic pitcher in all of baseball.  While trying to stifle hyperbole, it’s safe to say that tonight is likely the most pivotal start of his career, and the prevailing thought seems to be that he’s going to be lights-out, or that he’ll give up six runs in four innings and then accidentally kill Aramis Ramirez in the dugout, leaving the Cubs without their best hitter and a hole at third base.

I’m still optimistic, but my optimism stems mostly from the offense.  They were better than just two runs last night, gathering 11 total baserunners in the game.  Chad Billingsley, tonight’s Los Angeles starter, is tough, but he has control issues at times, and I expect the Cubs to work him.  Frankly, the hitters were too good for too long this year to just fade out and disappear.

My prediction?  Cubs knocked around Billingsley a bit and grab a 5-2 win.  And then we’re right back where we started, except the Cubs will have a major advantage with Harden and Lilly in Games 3 and 4.  Rock on.

And if you’re a Cubs fan watching the game tonight, please try to enjoy it.  This is a great baseball team, and it’s been a blast to watch them this summer.  If they get what they deserve, we’ll get to see them still play plenty more baseball this year.