D'backs Bite Cubs

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Oct 4, 2007 2:24PM

In Game One of the NLDS, the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Cubs 3-1, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

The big question is whether Cubs skipper Lou Piniella pulled Carlos Zambrano too soon. The Cubs ace was dealing, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out eight. The Diamondbacks' Brandon Webb matched Zambrano pitch for pitch, resulting in a 1-1 tie after the sixth. Yet Piniella pulled Z after six innings and only 85 pitches.

Carlos Marmol came into the game to pitch the seventh and allowed two runs to score. Those would prove to be the only runs the D'backs needed to take Game One.

Was Lou too focused on Sunday's game? Planning to use Zambrano on short rest in Game Four, did he put the Cubs in jeopardy of not even making it to Sunday?

Game Two is yet another late start, so Chicagoist suggests getting in a nap today. Ted Lilly faces Arizona's Doug Davis in battle of lefties. Davis went 13-12 in the regular season with a 4.25 ERA. Lilly was 15-12 and had an ERA of 3.83. Should be another close game tonight!

Photo by AP Photo/Matt York