Lowe knows Cubs don't feel pressure of drought
Derek Lowe is not only tonight's Game 1 starter for the Dodgers, he's a guy who knows a lot about what the Cubs are going through in their quest to snap the franchise's 100-year title drought.
Lowe pitched for the Boston Red Sox in 2004 when that fabled franchise won its first World Series championship since 1918.
"Having been on the other side, I think it is so media driven as far as how many years it's been," Lowe said. "In '04 we were down 3-0 (in games to the Yankees in the ALCS) and we never said, 'We need to come back so we can end the streak.'
"The pressure was on us to win in '04, just like they're trying to win in '08. If they go down 1-0, 2-0 or go up 1-0, there's not going to be any added pressure to stop this streak."
The 100-year thing is something the Cubs have had to address all season.
"I know they're probably tired of hearing about it," Lowe said. "I know it does get annoying, having gone through that. This is all about this year and I think those players will tell you the same thing. They're ready to win in '08 and not really worried about the last 100 years."
Cubs manager Lou Piniella has deftly avoided the 100-year questions throughout the summer and no doubt will continue to do so in the postseason even as more and more national media surround the club should it advance out of the first round.
"Our club is confident, as I'm sure the Dodgers are," Piniella said. "We're going to go out and play as well as we can, as hard as we can, for as long as we can and that's it.
"We know what everybody in this city wants and we're going to try to give it to them."
Starter Ryan Dempster was asked how the players deal with all that goes into playing for the Cubs.
"You know, it's a big media market and there's a lot that goes on," Dempster said. "There's a lot of stuff in the clubhouse, on the field, small confines, but I think in a way that's kind of brought this team a little bit closer together."
Lowe sees a lot of similarities between Chicago and Boston as being demanding baseball towns.
"Two cities with rich tradition in baseball, and very passionate and knowledgeable (fans)," Lowe said. "That's a good thing. They know good and bad, and they're not afraid to let you know. It's a place you know is going to be tough, but you can't wait for the game to start."
Lowe has another thing that connects him to both sides in this series: He also played for Piniella in 1997 as a young pup with the Seattle Mariners.
"Well, my name was 'son' in Seattle. That's all he ever called me," Lowe joked. "I've heard him speak over the years and I think he has changed a little bit. He was extremely tough, I think, on guys. I was no different. He demanded a lot and at that point in my career I couldn't really give what he was demanding. I think he's great for veterans. He kind of lets you do your thing. I think he knows how to push people's buttons. He knows how to get the best out of everybody."