The Dodgers are so confident, Angel Berroa bought a Ferrari

Of course, the Dodgers have plenty of reasons to feel good about themselves, coming home from Games 1 and 2 in Chicago with a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five series against the Cubs.  Not that they're getting cocky, but the team clearly understands the opportunity in front of them as they look to close out the Cubs Saturday night in front of the home crowd.  "It's a perfect scenario as far as going there and winning two games," said Derek Lowe, "I've seen a lot over my career.  I was just thinking today, I think I've been down 2-0 maybe three times in my career, and we came back twice.  One time, we were down 3-0 and came back, so this to me, as exciting as it is, I've been on the other side and come back.  You can definitely do it, but we're happy with our situation and looking forward to playing another good game Saturday."

It's worth listening to the entirety of Lowe's audio, posted below, because the guy has truly evolved into a reasoned, sagey fellow, as opposed to the rather unadulterated goofball he was (at least in front of the media) a few years back.  In part, it's because he believes internally that this is his sort of year.  He's always been around the postseason, has seen success and failure, and has through his performance in the second half this year become an anchor for the Dodgers.  The confidence he carries to the mound is obvious, and so is the belief in his team.  Asked if he's at all surprised that they're up 2-0, having outscored the Cubs 17-5 in two games, Lowe was quick to respond. 

"I think that discredits how good we are.  People think that we're not a very good team because of our record," he said.  "But we're not even close to the same team we were the first four months.  I look at it like we've been together for two months.  I don't think people give this staff enough credit.  We did lead the league in ERA.  We had a 16 game winner (pitch) yesterday with a 3.00 ERA. People have to start giving these guys credit, and (understand) that they are good, too."

I.E., it's not simply a matter of the Cubs folding. 

More good quotes:

• Lowe, on Manny: "This is who he is, and I don't think people on the west coast realized how good he is, and how consistently good he is."
• More Lowe on Manny: "His mentality is perfect for the playoffs.  What I mean by that he strikes out two times yesterday, and I tell Manny, "What, you feel bad for the guy?  You're trying to help him out?"  "I'm okay, Papi," he says. "We got a long way to go."  That's the way he thinks.  (Zambrano) gets him twice, it doesn't bother him because he knows there's a long way to go and he's going to have more at bats, and that mentality is perfect for this time of year.  He puts zero pressure on himself, he believes in himself, and never lets one at bat affect the other. That's hard to do at this time of year."
• Kershaw, on Manny: "He's pretty much the most unbelievable thing I've ever seen on a baseball field.  You're surprised when he gets out."  Granted, Kershaw is what, nine years old?  But it's still high praise.
• Russell Martin, asked if thinks the Dodgers are underestimated by the national media: "I don't even care.  I know we're good."
• Blake DeWitt, on the impact of Rafael Furcal: "He does something every single night that just amazes you.  He's an unbelievable player... There's not a lot of people who (could come back after missing so much time).  There aren't a lot of shortstops who could miss that much of the season and just go out there and jump right into the game." 
• DeWitt, on trying to stay even despite the adrenaline: "It's not (any other game), absolutely.  It's the playoffs.  Every play, every pitch, every swing is magnified.  But you have to treat it like that in your mind.  Whatever it takes to win a ballgame and help your team get on top, you've got to do it."  This is a kid with a lot of poise, for sure.  He doesn't have a lot of experience, but after a season of watching him in the clubhouse and speaking to him, it's pretty clear he's about as even tempered as a player can be. 

I spoke with Mark Sweeney, and asked if he had any indication before the series began that he'd be left off the roster.  No, he said, and no question he'd love to be active, "But it's not about me, you know what I mean?  There's a lot more to it than that."

Again, he hasn't hit a lick this year, explaining why he's not on the roster, but the attitude is solid.

Audio:

• Martin: Download russell_martin_10.3.mp3
• DeWitt: Download blake_dewitt_10.3.mp3
• Lowe: Download derek_lowe_10.3 1.mp3

BK