Mike Nadel: Cubbie closer keeps things exciting

Ryan Dempster isn't exactly the people's choice among Cubs relievers, so the people might not like to hear this: Lou Piniella is doing the right thing by pitching Dempster in save situations.

Carlos Marmol, the young gun most fans want to see preserving ninth-inning leads (and the choice here for team MVP), is too important in his put-out-the-fire role. For Game 1 of the NL playoffs tonight against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Piniella will use Marmol in the fourth inning if Carlos Zambrano has a meltdown and Lou believes that's when the game will be won or lost.