News: The Sports Xchange notes that Ryan Dempster finished the regular season with an ERA of 2.96. He's the first Cubs pitcher to have a sub-3.00 ERA with at least 200 innings pitched since RHP Carlos Zambrano in 2004.

Analysis: Dempster moved from the bullpen back to the rotation in his age-31 season and became a more valuable Fantasy player than ever. He finished with 17 wins and an ERA better than 3.00, remaining consistent throughout the season. Think of him as a No. 2 Fantasy SP going into 2009

News: Cubs SP Ryan Dempster allowed only one run on four hits in five innings Friday at Milwaukee, walking one and striking out four. He went only five innings in each of his last two starts.

Analysis: Dempster moved from the bullpen back to the rotation in his age-31 season and became a more valuable Fantasy player than ever. He finished with 17 wins and an ERA better than 3.00, remaining consistent throughout the season. Think of him as a No. 2 Fantasy SP going into 2009

NLDS Game 1 starter Ryan Dempster hurled five innings of one-run ball but the Cubs couldn't score enough runs to beat the Brewers on Friday. Dempster seems to be set for the postseason. Manager Lou Piniella wisely pulled him after 80 pitches, but he was left with a no-decision after the bullpen allowed the Brew Crew to blow it open. He'll finish a wildly impressive 2008 season with a 17-6 record and a 2.96 ERA.

Dempster's concluded a remarkable regular season in impressive fashion, as he's surrendered three earned runs or fewer in five straight starts and struck out 27 batters over 30 frames in September. The converted reliever's final stat line leaves little doubt about his status as a top-tier hurler in '08, as he went 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA and a 187/76 K/BB ratio over 206 2/3 innings.

Ryan Dempster only surrendered one earned run on four hits over five innings in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Brewers, with one walk and four strikeouts.He was issued a no decision rather than a loss, and closes out September 2-1 over five starts. He remains at 17-6 for the season and trimmed his ERA to 2.96.

Piniella said the order would most likely not change depending on who the Cubs face in the first round of postseason play. "I said before I announced any pitcher that I had confidence in all four of my starters," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Friday after meeting with the starters. "All games are equally important, and we chose to go this way." The move means that veteran Jason Marquis will be resigned to bullpen duties for at least this series.

MLB.com reports Chicago Cubs SP Ryan Dempster (17-6, 2.99 ERA) will start Friday, Sept. 26, against the Milwaukee Brewers.

News: Ryan Dempster is scheduled to start the Chicago Cubs' playoff opener next week at Wrigley Field. The former closer was tabbed Thursday by manager Lou Piniella for Game 1 in the best-of-five division series. The NL Central champions will play the New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round, beginning Wednesday. If the series goes the distance, he would be in line to start Game 5 in Chicago as well. The right-hander gets his final postseason tuneup Friday night at Milwaukee.

Analysis: Dempster is 17-6 with a 2.99 ERA, including a 14-3 mark with a 2.86 ERA at home. He's earned the playoff start with his year and will enter 2009 as a high-end Fantasy starter

Cubs manager Lou Piniella confirmed Thursday that Ryan Dempster would start Game 1 of the NLDS. It's still unclear whether he'll be facing the Dodgers, Phillies or Mets. Rich Harden, Carlos Zambrano and Ted Lilly are expected to follow Dempster in the rotation, but that's yet to be confirmed.Source: Chicago Tribune

The Daily Herald reports that manager Lou Piniella made it official on Thursday by committing to Ryan Dempster as the Cubs Game 1 starter.Carlos Zambrano has been bad in his last two outings coming off a no-hitter, and Dempster has had an outstanding season, winning 17 games and sporting a 2.99 ERA.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella has selected SP Ryan Dempster to start Game 1 of the National League Division Series. Dempster would also be available to pitch Game 5 if necessary. "He deserves it," Piniella said. "He's 14-3 at home, and he's been extremely consistent and reliable all season long."

It is likely that Cubs hurler Ryan Dempster will get the call to start Game 1 when the team begins the National League Division Series, according to Scout.com.Carlos Zambrano has been bad in his last two outings coming off a no-hitter, and Dempster has had an outstanding season, winning 17 games and sporting a 2.99 ERA.

The Associated Press reports Chicago Cubs SP Ryan Dempster allowed a run on six hits in five innings to win his 17th game Sunday, Sept. 21.

Ryan Dempster improved to 17-6 on Sunday as the Cubs need just one more victory to ensure home field advantage throughout the NL playoffs. Dempster lasted only five innings but he permitted the Cardinals to score but a single run.Who would have predicted 17 wins, a 2.99 ERA and 183 K from the starter, turned closer, turned starter again? Dempster is one of the year's surprises on the hill and he improved to 7-2 with a 2.57 ERA since the All-Star break.

News: Ryan Dempster earned his 17th victory as the Chicago Cubs kept on winning a day after clinching the NL Central title, beating the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 Sunday in their regular-season wrapup at Wrigley Field. The victory means the Cubs (94-60) need one more win to ensure home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs. Dempster (17-6) worked five innings, giving up six hits and a run, as the Cubs turned to a starting lineup of mostly reserves. Dempster threw 67 pitches. He finished the regular season 14-3 at Wrigley Field, the most home wins by a Cubs pitcher since Fergie Jenkins set the club record with 15 in 1967.

Analysis: Dempster will get one last start against the Brewers. Consider him a solid option in the final Fantasy Week 26 (Sept. 22-28)

Another stellar outing from Dempster, who is 2-1 with a 3.24 ERA over four September starts. He'll look for his 18th victory when he faces the Brewers at Miller Park for his final regular season outing.

Ryan Dempster picked up his 17th win by allowing just one run in five innings against the Cardinals on Sunday. Dempster struck out just one, but he also walked none and yielded just six hits. Today's outing lowered his ERA to 2.99, but any chance at 200 strikeouts is now gone (he entered the day at 182). Still, he's had one of the most surprising performances of the year, and combines with Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden to give the Cubs an impressive top three options for the playoffs.

A big with for Dempster, who entered the contest 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA over his previous three starts. The funky-throwing All-Star will look to build off this performance when he takes his 3.02 ERA to Busch Stadium for a divisional showdown with the Cardinals next.

Rick Gano, of The Associated Press, reports Chicago Cubs SP Ryan Dempster recorded his 16th win of the season Tuesday, Sept. 16. He gave up two runs and seven hits while striking out nine and walking one in six innings. Dempster is 13-3 at home this season, which is the most wins at home by a pitcher in team history since 1971.

News: The Chicago Cubs did what no other National League team has been able to do this season. They beat CC Sabathia. Ryan Dempster got his 16th win and Chicago sent the Milwaukee Brewers to their fifth straight loss, holding on for a 5-4 win Tuesday night that spoiled interim manager Dale Sveum's debut. Following two dominating performances by Cubs' starters, Dempster (16-6) allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings. He walked one and struck nine.

Analysis: Dempster and the Cubs have been lights out in the pitching department and he deserves to be starting in all Fantasy leagues at this time. He pitches twice this week and makes his second start Sunday against the Cardinals. It looks like it could be a very successful week for Dempster

Ryan Dempster was terrific Tuesday, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out nine over six innings to pick up his 16th win of the season.Many are idiotically touting C.C. Sabathia, the guy that Dempster opposed tonight, as the NL CY Young winner, but what about Dempster? He is 16-6 with a 3.02 ERA and is fifth in the league with 182 strikeouts.

Adam McCalvy, of MLB.com, reports Chicago Cubs SP Ryan Dempster has 20 quality starts this year and five in his last six games. He is 1-2 against the Houston Astros this season.

MLB.com reports Chicago Cubs SP Ryan Dempster (15-6, 3.02 ERA) will start Tuesday, Sept. 16, against the Milwaukee Brewers.

News: The Cubs moved Ted Lilly ahead of Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis in the rotation, opting to start the left-hander Monday against Houston at Miller Park. Dempster pitches Tuesday, while Marquis, Rich Harden and Carlos Zambrano follow.

Analysis: Dempster gets a pair of home starts vs. the Brewers and Cardinals. Consider him a solid two-start pitcher in most leagues in Fantasy crunch time. He is 5-2 with a 2.59 ERA in the second half

News: Cubs SP Ryan Dempster did not factor into Tuesday's decision against the Cardinals. He struck out six and walked two, while allowing seven hits over seven innings. Dempster, who has allowed homers in his last two starts after going 69 2/3 innings without surrendering a long ball, allowed Albert Pujols to homer but recovered with a perfect seventh to end his outing.

Analysis: Dempster is 4-2 over his last eight starts and has been pitching extremely well for the Cubs, who are in the middle of a pennant race. Dempster hasn't allowed more than four runs -- and he did that once -- over that span. That makes him someone to start in all Fantasy leagues. He pitches twice this week and his next start comes Sunday at Houston

Another solid showing from Dempster, who is now 5-2 with a sparkling 2.59 ERA over 10 second-half starts. The funky-throwing All-Star gets the Astros at Minute Maid Park next.

After striking out against Ryan Dempster in the third inning, Troy Glaus injured his right shoulder. According to Cardinals.com the injury was classified as a strained right shoulder.Glaus had been showing a power surge lately hitting in front of Albert Pujols and has had a solid year with 23 home runs and 89 RBI.

Tonight against the Cubs' rival, the St. Louis Cardinals, Ryan Dempster will go for his career high 16th win on the season. Since the All-Star break Dempster is 5-2 with an ERA of 2.44, according to MLB.com.Dempster is 1-0 against the Cardinals this year and has been the most consistent starter on the Cubs' staff this year.

Carrie Muskat, of MLB.com, reports Chicago Cubs SP Ryan Dempster is 5-2 with a 2.44 ERA since the All-Star break. He will be going for his career-high 16th win of the season Tuesday, Sept. 9.

MLB.com reports Chicago Cubs SP Ryan Dempster (15-6, 2.99 ERA) will start Tuesday, Sept. 9, against the St. Louis Cardinals.

A tough loss for Dempster, who continues to pitch like an All-Star. The funky-throwing right-hander now sports a 2.44 ERA over his nine second-half starts and will look to keep dealing when he faces the Cardinals at Busch Stadium next.

Rick Gano, of The Associated Press, reports Chicago Cubs SP Ryan Dempster leads the majors in sacrifice bunts with 18. With the loss Wednesday, Sept. 3, Dempster falls to 12-3 at home this year. He gave up eight hits and three runs in seven innings pitched.

MLB.com reports Chicago Cubs SP Ryan Dempster (15-5, 2.95 ERA) will start Wednesday, Sept. 3, against the Houston Astros.