Webb at top of his game
DIAMONDBACKS | Cubs beat '06 Cy Young winner in July, but he's been hot since
PHOENIX -- Figuring out Arizona Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb has been a puzzle that has gone mostly unsolved in the National League.
The reigning Cy Young Award winner will face the Cubs -- and their ace, Carlos Zambrano -- in Game 1 of the National League Division Series tonight at Chase Field.
What's the best way to approach Webb?
''Good question,'' Cubs shortstop and No. 2 hitter Ryan Theriot said. ''You think you've got a game plan on him, then all of a sudden you're 0-for-3 and it didn't work out too well.
''He's a guy with maybe one of the best sinkers of all time, a great fastball. There are not many pitchers out there that can throw one pitch and win ballgames, and he's one of them.''
Webb went 18-10 with a 3.01 ERA pitching in the NL's toughest division. Though Webb has no playoff experience, the Cubs don't have a starting pitcher with a victory in the postseason. And Webb is riding a hot streak, going 10-4 with a 2.56ERA in the second half.
His strong second half featured a stretch of 42 consecutive scoreless innings that began July 20 -- against the Cubs.
''This division was very tough; pitching-wise and all the way through, everyone's lineup was pretty tough,'' Webb said of an NL West that features two playoff teams and four clubs with winning records. ''What we did do in this division prepared us for where we're going to be [tonight].''
The Cubs are hoping they will be prepared for Webb, a pitcher they beat 6-2 on July 20 at Wrigley Field. In that game -- Webb's only outing against the Cubs this season -- the right-hander allowed three runs (two earned) in seven innings.
It was hardly a confidence-builder for the Cubs.
''I remember he threw a very good game in Chicago,'' leadoff hitter Alfonso Soriano said. ''He has a very good sinker, so we have to make an adjustment and try to hit that sinker.''