Postseason Notebook--Liftoff Edition

As a lifelong resident of New York state, I have to confess that the start of the 2008 postseason has brought me mixed feelings. The postseason has always been one of my preferred times of the year, but the lack of New York teams this October is disconcerting. After all, it marks the first time since 1993 that neither the Mets or Yankees are involved in a postseason run.

Still, these games matter more than any other games that are played. And there are several upper-echelon teams participating, including regular season kings like the Rays, Red Sox, Angels, and Cubs. The first two days of this year's postseason have brought us some memorable moments--including a pair of game-changing grand slams, one for the Phillies and one for the Dodgers--but most of the games have been one-sided. There has been no bigger story than the Cubs' early playoff flop. As Lou Piniella said after another blowout loss in Game Two to the Dodgers, the Cubs have played probably their worst games of the season in falling into an 0-and-2 hole. Piniella's notoriously short fuse has already been tested by Kosuke Fukudome, who was verbally dismissed by Sweet Lou after a direct postgame question from a reporter. "Don't ask me any more questions about Fukudome!" bellowed Piniella, who proceeded to explain that his Japanese import will be benched for the third game, probably in favor of Reed Johnson. It's an overdue move for the Cubs, who have watched Fukudome swing a noodle-like bat for most of the second half. It's a long way from Opening Day, when Fukudome hit that dramatic ninth-inning home run against Eric Gagne. 

The Cubs' embarrasment reached dramatic proportions in the second game against the Dodgers. Each member of the infield committed an error, including crucial miscues by the usually reliable Mark DeRosa and Derrek Lee. Defense, pitching, and hitting have all failed the Cubs, putting their season on the brink as they head west to LA...

The other Chicago team is also struggling, having watched Javier Vazquez blow up yet again in one of his many failed postseason starts. Injuries haven't helped the White Sox cause either, with both Carlos Quentin and Joe Crede unavailable for the series with Tampa Bay, and perhaps all of the postseason. Quentin's replacement in Game One, journeyman flychaser DeWayne Wise, might be the most obscure veteran player on any of the postseason rosters this fall. And just when I thought that Wise could become a black hole offensively, he blasted a three-run homer in Game One, giving Chicago a temporary lead against the Rays. The left-handed hitting Wise was benched for Game Two on Friday, but only because of the presence of Rays southpaw Scott Kazmir on the Tampa mound. The switch-hitting Nick Swisher, who has postseason experience from his days in Oakland, took Wise's place in left field.

Chicago's third base situation could become a bigger problem. Ozzie Guillen continues to show faith in Juan Uribe, an ultra light-hitting converted shortstop who went hitless in Game One. I know that Uribe has more postseason experience, as one of the holdovers of the 2005 championship team, but I'd be tempted to find out what young Josh Fields can provide. Fields has been one of Chicago's top prospects for years now, and could give the Sox the kind of offensive boost they will need against Tampa's terrific pitching staff. When you're trying to scratch out all the postseason runs you can against quality pitching, it makes little sense to give up one of your nine precious lineup sports to a guy who's all-glove and no-hit.