CUBS-DODGERS: RICHARD GRIFFIN’S NLCS PREVIEW
CHICAGO CUBS vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS
All games 8 p.m. Eastern Game 1: Saturday @ Chicago RH Kenta Maeda (10-9, 3.48 ERA) vs. LH Jon Lester (19-5, 2.44) Game 2: Sunday @ Chicago LH Clayton Kershaw (12-4, 1.69) vs. RH Jake Arrieta (18-8, 3.10) Game 3: Tuesday @ L.A. RH Kyle Hendricks (16-8, 2.13) vs. LH Rich Hill (12-5, 1.83) Game 4: Wednesday @ L.A. Pitching matchup TBA Game 5: Thursday @ L.A.* Game 6: Sat. Oct. 22 @ Chicago* Game 7: Sun. Oct. 23 @ Chicago* *If necessary
ROAD TO THE NLCS: The Cubs downed the wild-card Giants in four games after romping through the regular season to win the NL Central, establishing a double-digit lead on Aug. 6 and never looking back. They were 11-7 down the stretch and able to set their playoff rotation early. The Dodgers won a dramatic Game 5 against the Nationals in the NLDS, with ace starter Kershaw — who missed two months of the season because of injury — closing it out in the ninth. The Dodgers held down second or third place from May 16
until taking over the NL West lead on Aug. 16.
STARTERS: Both teams rely on three starting pitchers. For the Cubs it’s Lester, Arrieta and Hendricks. John Lackey is also available. The Dodgers struggled to replace Zack Greinke in the rotation and spent much of the summer without Kershaw. The acquisition of Hill from the A’s was impor- tant, while Maeda has proved consistent. EDGE: Even BULLPEN: The Cubs traded for closer
Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees and he responded — 16 second-half saves and a 1.01 ERA. The Cubs had fewer save situations than others because of the high number of blowouts. The Dodgers have reliable closer Kenley Jansen, along with veteran setup men J.P. Howell and Joe Blanton, who has reinvented
himself. EDGE: Cubs LINEUP: The Cubs are youthful and talented with great young players including 3B Kris Bryant, 1B Anthony
Rizzo and SS Addison Russell. The additions of 2B Ben Zobrist and backup C David Ross lend leadership. The Dodgers were led by the left side of their infield, rookie SS Corey Seag
er and veteran 3B Justin Turner. The addition of 2B Chase Utley was a key, along with leadership from 1B Adrian
Gonzalez. CF Joc Pederson needs to be prodcutive. EDGE: Cubs
INTANGIBLES: Manager Joe Maddon is a focal point for Cubs media attention and likes it that way. Since 2000, just one of 13 teams that won 100+ games has gone on to win the World Series — the 2009 Yankees. Only two of those 13 teams even reached the Fall Classic. The Dodgers have reached the post-season 10 times since winning the 1988 World Series, yet have not been back to the Series, going 0-3 in the NLCS. They would love to win for retiring broadcaster Vin Scully. EDGE: Cubs PICK TO WIN: Cubs in six
GRIFFIN’S RECORD: Wild card (2-0), ALDS (2-0), NLDS (0-2)