In order to kick this blog off to a good start, I'm going to do a little bit on each of the key players on the team, moving around the diamond once or twice to hit all the positions. First up: ex-closer, neo-starter Ryan Dempster.
Is anyone more valuable to the Chicago Cubs right now than Ryan Dempster? Let's think about this
One year, everyone is ripping the guy because he's not the most dependable closer in the game (forgetting completely that in 3 years he saved around 80 games for the Cubs). Now, he's the toast of the town, the Cubs' favorite Canadian son, boasts the best record and ERA on the team, and is invincible at Wrigley Field. Amazing.
He's been in rare form, all year. Even the loss he took in Tampa is excusable, because he gave the Cubs a quality start, but the bats were nearly ice-cold. And his latest performance, an 8+ innings, 1-ER game vs the White Sox to complete the sweep, was nothing short of dominant. He got double plays when he needed them, struck out hitters at will, had all his pitches working (especially that devastating splitter), and the only run he allowed came at a time when the White Sox were scrapping to save some pride and the game was basically in-hand.
If there is anyone who deserves the team MVP so far, it's Ryan Dempster.
On Deck: Aramis Ramirez; In the Hole: Ted Lilly
Keywords: Chicago Cubs, pitchers, Ryan Dempster
