The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Cubs on Saturday to successfully complete a 3-0 sweep. The Dodgers, who won the game 3-1, will move on to face the winner of the Philadelphia Phillies and the Milwaukee Brewers series. The Phillies currently lead that series 2-1.

The video of the Cubs getting swept will be hard for Cubs fans to stomach. Rich Harden, who the Cubs traded for in the middle of the season, was unimpressive — lasting only 4.1 innings. Alfonso Soriano was 0-5 and hit just .071 in the series.

For the Dodgers, their main star was starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda. Kuroda, who was born in Japan, pitched 6.1 scoreless innings and also struck out four cubs. Manny Ramirez was 1-for-2 with two walks and a run, while James Looney had two big RBIs.

Luckily for the Cubs and their fans, there is always next year.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Sabathia struggled mightily to begin his 2008 campaign but has bounced back nicely. After posting a 7.76 ERA in April, Sabathia had a 2.44 ERA in May and so far in June has a 2.74 ERA. Sabathia, who won the Cy Young Award last year in the AL, seems to be back on top of his game.

If the Sabathia trade rumors heat up, which teams are the likely destinations? Let’s take a look:

Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox have lost Curt Schilling for the season and recently had to put Bartolo Colon on the DL. The Red Sox have the money to pay Sabathia and could view the hefty left as a key cog to their attempt to repeat as World Series champions.

New York Yankees
Like the Red Sox, the Yankees and their limitless payroll will definitely be in the running. New York entered the season banking on a few young arms to come through, however that hasn’t happened. Now with Chien-Ming Wang injured and out until September, their need for a star pitcher is great.

Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are looking to finally end their historical championship slump and 2008 looks like its their best shot in a long while. However, with Carlos Zambrano injured, their chances will go down the drain quickly if he can’t bounce back. That’s where Sabathia could come into play.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Sabathia grew up in California so perhaps he’d be interested in being traded to the Dodgers. And Los Angeles, with Brad Penny and Hiroki Kuroda both going on the DL, could definitely use Sabathia on its pitching staff.

Will CC Sabathia be traded?

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

• Dodgers at Diamondbacks, 12:40 p.m. PT — Hiroki Kuroda looked outstanding in his North American debut. I expected the funky delivery that is characteristic of pitchers who come over from Japan, but the velocity caught me by surprise. He was pumping 93-mph fastballs against the Padres. Micah Owings gets the call for Arizona. He dominated the Rockies in his first start of ‘08 (although he only went 1-for-4 at the plate, LOL). Wasn’t there talk that the Snakes might stick Owings in the field at some point? I think that’s crazy, but it would be pretty cool — you know, in the same way that handlebar moustaches are cool.
• Reds at Brewers, 5:05 p.m. PT — Like offense? Josh Fogg and David Bush hook up at Miller Park. The lineups will include guys like Ryan Braun, Adam Dunn, Prince Fielder, and Ken Griffey Jr. I’m going to set the over/under on home runs at seven.
• Yankees at Royals, 5:10 p.m. PT — Two promising young pitchers square off in this one. Zack Greinke seems to have gotten his career back on track, while Ian Kennedy is still trying to figure out how the Rays beat the snot out of him last week. The Royals are 5-2. Heck, the Orioles are 6-1. And people say the world isn’t going to hell in a handbasket.

Rock on, my peeps…

Post from: Knuckle Curve