NLDS: Cubs hibernate early again

It was a story too Hollywood-good to be true. Best record in the NL, exactly 100 years from their last title.

So the team closest to Hollywood kicked that screenplay aside. The Chicago Cubs were swept out of the first round again.

It's not an uncommon tale - and one the Los Angeles Angels will try not to repeat on Sunday evening. As Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune pointed out, the Cubs are the ninth team in the last 14 seasons to lead their league in victories and not advance past the first round. Only five of the No. 1 seeds went on to win the World Series, which means it's almost twice as likely for a regular-season powerhouse to be eliminated quickly than to win it all.

Why did this happen again? Point toward Alfonso Soriano (3 for 28 in the postseason the last two years) and Aramis Ramirez (2 for his last 30 in the playoffs) for the second consecutive season, and the fact that the none of the three Cubs starters - Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden - pitched well.

"I don’t think it has anything to do with the 100-year thing," manager Lou Piniella told the Sun Times. "I think it has to do with the fact that this team in postseason doesn’t generate enough offense to win games."

And credit the Dodgers, who were hot down the stretch and have kept that going in the playoffs. It's the Dodgers' first postseason series win in 20 years.

The Dodgers await the Phillies or Brewers, who staved off elimination by being patient against Jamie Moyer and winning 4-1. The Brewers will send Jeff Suppan to the mound today against the Phillies' Joe Blanton.