Cubs-Brewers NLCS? It could happen

ST. LOUIS -- This may come as a great shock to ESPN, a.k.a. the Eastern Seaboard Programming Network, but the National League Central is the place to be these days.

In ESPN's dream world, the Yankees would play the Red Sox 162 times a year. (I know, it sure seems those teams play each other 162 times whenever you turn on ESPN.)

But in the midst of the Cubs' weeklong tour through the NL Central (with an ear tuned to the Milwaukee Brewers radio network), a thought occurred: Wouldn't it be great if the Cubs and Brewers hooked up this October in the National League championship series?

Absurd? Maybe a month and a half or so ago, but when it comes time to decide an opponent for the American League in this year's October-November Fall-Winter Classic, the NL representative just may be the survivor of an Interstate-94 showdown.

Postseason TV rights holders Fox and TBS may cringe just as mightily as the Eastern Seaboarders at an all-Midwest NLCS, but what fun we'd have from Chicago Heights to Port Washington and all points in between, including the Mars Cheese Castle, where Cubs and Brewers fans alike go for their gouda.

For this possibility we can thank the Cubs, who have pulled themselves into contention with a torrid run since the middle of June.

If you think a Cubs-Brewers NLCS would be fun, just think of the developments leading up to such a series.

Let's say the Cubs overtake the Brewers and win the Central while the Brewers hold on for the wild card. The Brewers then take on the Mets, with all those David-and-Goliath and small-market vs. big-market features there for the taking.

While the Brewers are busy knocking off the Mets, the Cubs are taking on the Padres, winners of the West.

Now, we all know who plays for the Padres. Greg Maddux? Sure, but I'm thinking of catcher Michael Barrett, whom the Cubs traded to San Diego last month after deciding he lacked the one necessary skill needed to be a catcher, i.e., catching the ball.

Barrett, if you remember, was instrumental in many a bizarre Cubs loss over his 3ˆ¨ seasons in Chicago. My favorite remains the time in Cincinnati when he tried to throw out baserunner Adam Dunn, only to throw the ball into left field. The problem was that Dunn already had been put on the bases earlier in that sequence.

So I'm figuring the Cubs are down a run in the ninth inning of Game 5 of the division series. With runners on first and second and one out, Derrek Lee strikes out, but the ball gets past Barrett for a passed ball. The runners take off as Lee makes for first, even though he's out because first base was occupied with fewer than two outs.

Barrett retrieves the ball and tries to get Lee, who like Dunn a few years ago, is already out. Seeing Lee head to first, Barrett throws the ball into right field, and just like that the winning runs score.

Odd? Sure, but if you think it's impossible, you haven't been paying attention.

Besides, the Cubs figure they're due for a bizarre play winding up in their favor one of these days.