ROAD TO THE WORLD SERIES
Yankees and Astros open AL Championship Series deep in the heart of Texas
Yankee Brett Gardner singles off Astros starter Dallas Keuchel in the third inning, the first hit in Game 1 of the ALCS in Houston, which ended after the Star’s deadline. Full report at thestar.com . . .
The National League Championship Series, which starts Saturday night in Los Angeles, features two of baseball’s most storied franchises: the Cubs and the Dodgers.
In the pair of just-completed division series, the Cubs disposed of the Washington Nationals (nee Expos) and the Dodgers swept the ’90s expansion franchise, the Arizona Diamondbacks. It is now down to baseball’s final four. The Cubs are the World Series defending champs, while the Dodgers are attempting to advance to the Fall Classic for the first time since 1988 — when they upset the Oakland A’s behind Orel Hershiser’s two wins and Kirk Gibson’s dramatic pinch-homer in Game 1 off Dennis Eckersley. In the 2016 NLCS, the Cubs defeated the Dodgers in six games.
The Dodgers have won five straight division titles, but since 2013 they’ve lost twice in the NLCS and two other times in the NLDS. In the 29 years since their last World Series crown, Los Angeles has reached the post-season 10 times.
In 2016, the Cubs snapped a 108-year championship drought, beating the Cleveland Indians in a compelling sev- en-game series, with the final game going to extra innings. To demonstrate how excited the Cubs players and Chicago fans were with the victory, they even gave a ring to formerly ostracized fan Steve Bartman, who many believe cost them a berth in the 2003 Fall Classic by interfering with a Moises Alou attempt at a leaping foul catch against the Marlins in Game 6 of the NLCS. The Cubs are in the playoffs for the 16th time since winning it all in 1908.
No team has successfully defended its crown since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees won three in a row. The Dodgers have home-field advantage as long as they keep winning. Play ball!
ROTATION
The Dodgers have the best regularseason pitcher in baseball in Clayton Kershaw, but he has yet to prove reliable in the post-season, despite a 9-5 win over the D-Backs in Game 1 of the NLDS. However, Kershaw’s supporting cast — Yu Darvish, Rich Hill and Alex Wood — is impressive. The Dodgers were cruising along at 91-36 on Aug. 26, but inexplicably lost 16 of the next 17, with their starters going 1-11, before settling down for an 11-6 finish and the best record in the majors. . . . The Cubs added Jose Quintana at the deadline, but still rely on the usual suspects: Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jake Arrieta and John Lackey.
Lester still has his issues with baserunners, but recorded a firstbase pickoff while working in relief in Game 4. The Cubs rotation has not been as impressive as a year ago.
EDGE: Dodgers
BULLPEN
Former Blue Jay Brandon Morrow has become the Dodgers’ secret weapon in late innings, featuring a 97- to 99-m.p.h. fastball. Veteran closer Kenley Jansen breezed through the NLDS, appearing in all three games with a pair of saves. Kenta Maeda will fill a key role in middle relief, with Tony Cingrani as a lefty specialist. The Cubs ’pen ran out of gas and barely glided on empty to the NLDS finish line. Closer Wade Davis was forced into a seven-out save in Game 5 vs. the Nats because of shoddy setup work by Mike Montgomery, Carl Edwards Jr. and Quintana. Being asked to play key roles if they are to beat the Dodgers are Pedro Strop and Justin Wilson, acquired from the Tigers at the deadline. EDGE: Dodgers
STARTING LINEUP
The Dodgers received solid firstround performances from right fielder Yasiel Puig and third baseman Justin Turner, but they will need their other big guys, shortstop Corey Seager and first baseman Cody Bellinger, to step up. Catcher Austin Barnes saw more work behind the plate than regular starter Yasmani Grandal. In razing Arizona, the Dodgers hit .298 with three homers, eight RBIs and a .858 OPS. . . . The Cubs seem to have lost some of the magic that swirled through their clubhouse a year ago. There is no catcher David Ross to lend a veteran presence, and they already have their ring. Second baseman Javier Baez, last year’s breakout star, was 0-for-14 with a walk in the NLDS. Third baseman Kris Bryant was 4-for-20, with one walk and 10 strikeouts, while right fielder Jason Heyward had two hits in 12 at-bats. The Cubs won the series over the Nats despite hitting .180 as a team, with a paltry .565 OPS. EDGE: Dodgers
INTANGIBLES
The Dodgers are in the post-season for the fifth straight year, but have come up empty four straight times. This group can see a clear path to their first ring. Manager Dave Roberts has World Series experience with the Red Sox and knows the drill. For the Cubs, manager Joe Maddon seemed frazzled and befuddled as he asked Davis to record seven outs with nobody warming up in the ’pen. They have their 2016 ring and the 2017 magic is not there.
EDGE: Dodgers
GRIFFIN’S PICK
Dodgers in five