I speak for most Cubs fans when I say this has been a truly bizarre and enjoyable year of baseball on the Northside of Chicago. Normally I spend April through August in a fit of anxiety and disappointment. This summer, there's been an eerie sense of calm complimenting the more common altered sense of drunkenness around Wrigley. These 2008 Chicago Cubs are without question the best the organization has had since long before I was born, and long before many of our parents were born. Everything has gone perfectly this year, and when Marisa Miller blessed Wrigley Field and the Cubs dugout I had no further worries the remainder of the regular season. Marisa > Billy Goat.

But now we're into the postseason and it's time to see how the Cubs react to playoff adversity. More particularly, how Carlos Zambrano  reacts to a questionable strike call, a Manny Ramirez home run, or who knows what else might bother him. To me, and just about everyone previewing the series, Zambrano's state of mind is the single biggest x-factor heading into this National League Divisional Series. Even if the Cubs win game one, but if Zambrano blows up in Game 2, as he has in his last two outings, the Cubs and us fans might immediately begin expecting the worst. On the otherhand, a calm, composed performance that ends in a win, might signal that is indeed the year.

Lou vs Joe The two managers have very different styles of behavior, but also have a great deal in common. Lou Piniella and Joe Torre have both spend a great deal of time around George Steinbrenner in New York. Piniella spent most as a player, winning a World Series in '77 and '78, and then as manager in '86 and '87. Since he didn't quickly bring a title as a manager, Steinbrenner did his thing. You obviously know Joe's story: horribly underappreciated in New York and clearly driven to win a title elsewhere to avenge what he deemed an insulting end to his Yankee tenure. If it weren't for the Cubs, I'd be rooting for Joe to make it to the fall classic. These guys know other well and the respect is mutual. The two will finish 1st and 2nd in NL Manager of the Year voting.

Big Z vs Manny During his time recently with Los Angeles, Manny Ramirez has been oddly consistent. Hitting every pitch he sees and generally staying out of controversy and doing his job. But now that the spotlight is brighter, you just don't know. Carlos Zambrano hasn't exactly been reliable since his no-hitter, and despite his immense talent, is keeping Lou Piniella and Cub fandom up at night. Their first head-to-head duel on Thursday night could go a long way in defining the series. More importantly, neither can let their flakey nature get in the way of the team's success.

Closers? The Dogers and Cubs are one and two when it comes to starters ERA, but as always, bullpens have even more pressure on their shoulders during the postseason. Kerry Wood has done his job relatively well, but his tendency to walk the first batter he faces will not be tolerated here. Carlos Marmol gives the Cubs an edge, but Piniella decision to keep Bob Howry on the playoff roster is reason enough that Wrigleyville Bar owners shouldn't have accepted the 7th inning no alcohol rule. Takashi Saito has been OK since his September return and Jonathon Broxton will aid. Wood had 4 saves this year against LA, while Broxton blew a save in one of his two attempts.

The Dodgers will win... If Manny Ramirez continues his locked in hitting. Batted .396 with 17 home runs and 53 RBI in 53 games with Los Angeles. That's absurd, and the rest of the lineup has thrived due to his presence... if they can force a starter out of the game early enough to face Bob Howry... if Rafael Furcal can be productive at all during the series.

The Cubs will win... Thanks to home field advantage. 55-26 this season at the Friendly Confines, securing home field advantage throughout the NL Playoffs was critical... Ryan Dempster can continue his personal success at Wrigley in Game 1. The Cubs will have to face some kind of Cubbie-type adversity during this series, but the freakout factor will have considerably less impact if Chicago can grab the first victory... if Derrek Lee can stop hitting into double plays. The Cubs led the NL is runs scored by a large margin, but it could have been exponentially higher without Lee tying for a club-record high of double plays.

Prediction: Cubs In 5. Hopefully my liver can handle this.

I won't be attending any of the games, but I will be across the street taking part in the festivities all series. Should any meaningful pictures or experiences be worth sharing, you'll have it.