Canada's Dempster gets playoff nod for Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are counting on a Canadian to get the ball rolling in their drive for their first World Series title in a century.

Ryan Dempster of Gibsons, B.C., was tabbed Thursday by manager Lou Piniella to start the Cubs' playoff opener next week at Wrigley Field.

Chicago, the National League Central winner, has clinched home-field advantage through the NL championship series. The Cubs will play either the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies or Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round, beginning Wednesday at Wrigley.

If the series goes the distance, Dempster would be in line to start the decisive Game 5 in Chicago as well.

Dempster is enjoying a career year at the age of 31. The righty, who served as Chicago's closer the last three seasons, is 17-6 with a 2.99 ERA. He's 14-3 with a 2.86 ERA at Wrigley.

The Cubs haven't won a World Series since 1908, and their last NL pennant came in 1945.