Dodgers-Cubs: L.A. Looks to Billingsley To Secure Second Game Of NLDS

After securing the opening game of their NLDS series against the Cubs, Dodger manager Joe Torre will hand the ball to Chad Billingsley in Game Two, as Los Angeles looks to take a 2-0 lead over Chicago. Billingsley, with his 16-10 record, is the Dodger hurler with the most victories this season. This will be his first career playoff start, after tossing two innings of scoreless relief in 2006 against the Mets. A big challenge for Billingsley will be to keep his pitch count down and maintain control of his pitches. Chad has the habit of losing command for small stretches. The Cubs' lineup would likely take advantage of any streak of wildness, such as was offered to the Dodgers last night by Ryan Dempster. Dodger batters have to continue to work the count against Cubs' Game Two starter, Carlos Zambrano. The mercurial righty has been all over the charts the last month of the season. He threw a no-hitter against the Houston Astros in a “neutral-site game” held in Milwaukee, due to Hurricane ... (link)