Cubs finally have an opponent: Dodgers coming to town

MILWAUKEE - While the Brewers waited anxiously Sunday to find out if they would make the playoffs, the Cubs relaxed in the visitors clubhouse to catch the end of the Mets-Marlins game.

When the Marlins won to eliminate the Mets, the Cubs calmly packed up and prepared for a first-round playoff matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Cubs will send pitchers Ryan Dempster (17-6), Carlos Zambrano (14-6), Rich Harden (5-1 with the Cubs) and Ted Lilly (17-9).

Dodgers manager Joe Torre has announced Derek Lowe (14-11) for Game 1, followed by Chad Billingsley (16-10) and Hiroki Kuroda (9-10) for the first three games. If the series goes beyond three, it's possible former Cub Greg Maddux (8-13) will start for L.A.

The Cubs are 5-2 against the Dodgers, 3-0 at Wrigley Field. But since the teams have played, the Dodgers have added dangerous slugger Manny Ramirez and third baseman Casey Blake.

"Whoever's in is going to be a good opponent, a formidable opponent, and we've got to be ready to play whoever it is," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said after the matchups had been set.

"If it's the Dodgers, we look forward to playing them. Yeah, they've changed. We have a workout Tuesday, and at noon, all our scouts are coming in that have been watching the Dodgers, so we'll get a pretty good idea of the changes they've made and so forth.

"It'll be a good series: Cubs-Dodgers."

DeRosa tests it: Second baseman-outfielder Mark DeRosa ran Sunday and will test his strained left calf again today. He has been out since straining the calf Wednesday.

Piniella hedged when asked if DeRosa would be ready for Game 1 of the NLDS.

"Yes, he'll be ready Wednesday," Piniella said. "Let's just say we think he'll be ready Wednesday."

After Sunday's game, DeRosa said he would be ready.

"There's no question at all," he said.

Pitcher Carlos Zambrano, who didn't want to start Sunday, will get a throw day in today at Wrigley Field before starting Thursday's Game 2 of the NLDS.