Manager Lou Piniella made it official Thursday, naming Ryan Dempster his Game 1 starter for the National League Division Series, which begins next Wednesday at Wrigley Field.
Piniella hinted as much Wednesday after Carlos Zambrano lasted only 4 2/3 innings against the Mets, making it two shaky starts in a row after Zambrano pitched a no-hitter. Part of Piniella's reasoning is that Dempster has flat-out earned the start. The other part is that he's 14-3 with a 2.86 ERA at Wrigley Field, which will be the site of Game 5, if necessary. That would put Dempster in line to possibly make two home starts in the first series.
"He deserves it," Piniella said of Dempster. "He's 14-3, won more games than any other pitcher at home. He's been extremely consistent and reliable all season long."
Dempster is 17-6 with a 2.99 ERA overall. He made the switch from closer back to starter this season and made the All-Star Game.
Piniella said his pitching plans for the rest of the NLDS have not been set.
METS 7, CUBS 6: Kevin Hart gave up the game-winning single to Carlos Beltran in the ninth. Rich Harden turned in a quality start, going six innings and giving up two hits and three runs, two earned. Rookie Micah Hoffpauir went 5-for-5 with five RBIs. He hit his first two major league homers.
