Goonies never say die*

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? You get two baseball teams who refuse to give in or give up. This week, the Diamondbacks spanked the Cubs two games and were sent home crying for their mamas in one. For those of you playing along at home, that means the Dbacks won their second series in a row.

Game one was another gem by Dan Haren. He began the night by giving up a leadoff homerun and ended the night with a three-hitter. His last hit of the night was also a solo homerun, ballooning his season ERA to 1.54 The other hit was by Ted Lilly, but you know Danny. He had quite enough of Cubbies on his basepaths and set the rest of the team back down.

Cubs pitcher Lilly - famous for slamming his glove down after giving up a homer to Chris Young in the 2007 playoffs - well, let's just say that while he didn't slam his glove, he did drop a few choice words after allowing Chris Snyder's first homerun of the year and after Dan Haren helped himself to an RBI double. And for the first time this year, the Diamondbacks really seemed to be having fun.

The Carlos Zambrano happened. He dominated on the mound. He hit a homerun. And I don't want to talk about it.

Yesterday though, yesterday Cubs pitchers couldn't find the strike zone with both hands and a map, while Doug Davis and the bullpen combined for the shut out. Hey! I just used the word bullpen and shutout in the same sentence! Awesome. The game was out of reach for the Cubs when their closer (in for the seventh inning to get some work) walked two, intentionally walked Chad Tracy to load the bases with one out, hoping Mark Reynolds would hit into a double play. Instead, Reynolds also walked. And so did Conor Jackson (Gravity would also have an RBI BB in the eighth). And then Justin Upton cleared the bases with a double.

Although the Diamondbacks still haven't been able to string together more than two wins in a row, they are up two series now for the first time. Best of all, the team is showing signs of life and it feels good to know that the season isn't dead on arrival. It's a great way for the team to hopefully gain some confidence going forward.

*Which Diamondbacks player is what Goonie?

Chris Snyder: Brand
Eric Byrnes: Steph
Conor Jackson: Mouth
Bob Melvin: Data
Stephen Drew: Andie
Tony Clark: Chunk
Justin Upton: Mikey

Lou Pinella: Mama Fratelli

My October's broken

Today is going to be so awesome. I'm on my weekend and I've got playoff baseball all day. It would be even better if the Diamondbacks were in it. I also have a bit of a moral dilemma: It's the Dodgers against the Cubs. Unfortunately, they can't eliminate each other, so who do I root for? I hate both teams. Might as well throw my support in behind the Cubs. They're going to knock out the Dodgers anyway. But I won't like doing it!

I don't see a repeat for the Red Sox this year. I have a very strong feeling that the Angels will knock out the Red Sox. The biggest question in my playoff prediction to me, is probably Angels vs Rays, if things go the way I think it will. That's going to be very interesting. If the Rays can beat the Angels, I think they win it all.

Trinity may disown me, but I have to say I'm rooting for the Rays all the way. Closest thing to having the Dbacks in it.

You know, I hate the Cubs and I want to see the Rays take the whole thing, but part of me almost wishes the Cubs would win it all so everyone will just shut up about the Cubs curse already.

Playoff predictions:

NLDS:

Dodgers vs Cubs: Cubs
Phillies vs Brewers: Phillies

ALDS:

Red Sox vs Angels: Angels
Rays vs White Sox: Rays

NLCS:

Cubs vs Phillies: Cubs

ALCS:

Rays vs Angels: Rays

World Series:

Rays vs Cubs: Rays