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

At first, things looked fine for Chicago. They got up 2-0 by scoring two in the bottom of the second inning. But then James Looney of the Dodgers hit a grand slam in the top of the fifth inning to put Los Angeles up for good.

Not surprisingly, Manny Ramirez shined for the Dodgers. He was 2-4 with a walk, two runs, an RBI and a homer run. Derek Lowe pitched a fine six innings, giving up two earned runs while striking out six.

For the Cubs, things weren’t as rosy. Ryan Dempster struggled through 4.2 innings that saw him walk seven batters and give up four earned runs. Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome and Geovany Soto combined to go 0-12.

Chicago still has a chance to put the curse to bed but Game 2 has now turned out to be a must win game. Taking the hill for the Cubs will be ace Carlos Zambrano and he will take on Chad Billingsley of the Dodgers.

Game 2 will be Thursday at 9:30 PM CST.

Manny Ramirez and Joe Torre have to like the Dodgers’ Game 1 success.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve