FAVOURITES IN FOR FIGHT IN NATIONAL LEAGUE
The Dodgers stumbled in September, losing 16 of 17 games at one point, while the Nationals have disappointed in their past division series
The NL Division Series features two of baseball’s original and most storied franchises, the Cubs and the Dodgers against a pair of post-’69 expansion organizations, the Nationals (nee Expos) and the Diamondbacks. The Cubs and D’backs have each won a World Series this century, while the Dodgers have not captured a ring since 1988 and the Nats, well, never.
L.A. DODGERS (104-58) VS. ARIZONA D’BACKS (93-69; 1-0)
Starters: The Dodgers traded for right-hander Yu Darvish at the deadline to fit in behind lefties Rich Hill and Clayton Kershaw. The postseason travails of Kershaw, L.A.’s ace, are always near the surface, but if there is a Game 5 at home, manager Dave Roberts can go with him or Hill on full rest. The Dodgers were cruising along at 91-36 on Aug. 26, but lost 16 of the next 17 games, with their starters going 1-11 before settling down for an 11-6 finish and the best record in baseball. The D’backs are led by right-hander Zack Greinke, who did not make it through four innings in the NL wild-card game. He can pitch Game 3 at home, with lefty Patrick Corbin and righties Taijuan Walker and Robbie Ray also available to start. Edge: Dodgers Bullpen: The Dodgers rely on veteran right-hander Kenley Jansen to
shut games down. A key bullpen member is former Jay Brandon Morrow, a free agent at the end of the year. Left-hander Tony Watson lends balance to a deep pen. The Snakes have the ever-recycled Fernando Rodney as closer, and he could be their Achilles heel. Right-hander Archie Bradley had a great year but lost his super powers after legging out a triple in the wild-card game. Edge: Dodgers
Lineup: The Dodgers rely on veteran third baseman Justin Turner, and a pair of highly hyped youngsters — first baseman Cody Bellinger and shortstop Corey Seager — and flighty right-fielder Yasiel Puig. They acquired outfielder Curtis Granderson to lend some leadership. The D’backs have some dynamic two-way performers — first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and centre-fielder A.J. Pollock — as well as powerful third baseman Jake Lamb. But the key addition that made them dangerous came with the deadline trade for right fielder J.D. Martinez. Edge: Diamondbacks Intangibles: Both managers, Torey Lovullo in Arizona and Dave Roberts in L.A., have World Series experience with the Red Sox. Lovullo was a coach with the Jays and then with the Red Sox and John Farrell for the 2013 Series. Roberts is remembered in Boston for his key stolen base on the way to the 2004 title that ended the Bambino’s curse. Both are considered aggressive, player-friendly managers. Edge: Diamondbacks
Pick: D’backs in five.
WASH. NATIONALS (97-65) VS. CHICAGO CUBS (92-70)
Starters: The Cubs added lefthander Jose Quintana at the deadline, but still rely on the usual suspects — southpaw Jon Lester and right-handers Kyle Hendricks, Jake Arrieta and John Lackey. Lester still has his issues with base runners, while Arrieta, slated for Game 4 at Wrigley, is coming off hamstring issues. The Nationals’ top three starters, right-handers Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer and lefty Gio Gonzalez, all posted ERAs under 3.00, but benefitted from playing four division opponents that were a combined 78 games below .500. Scherzer is bouncing back from a hamstring issue and is slated for Game 3 at Wrigley. Edge: Nationals
á Bullpen: The Cubs ’pen is consistent and hard-throwing, led by closer Wade Davis, who has World Series experience with Kansas City. The setup corps is led by dynamic righthander Carl Edwards Jr., who had 94 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings. Other key members are righties Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon and lefty Justin
Wilson, acquired from the Tigers at the deadline. The Nationals have struggled the past few years in the bullpen and were in a similar crisis in the first half, before trading for closer Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson from Oakland and Brandon Kintzler from the Twins. Washington’s bullpen ERA was 4.41 but improved by almost a full run in the second half. Edge: Cubs
Lineup: The Cubs seem to have lost some magic that swirled through their clubhouse a year ago. Leadoff man Dexter Fowler has departed and inspirational Kyle Schwarber has had a tough year. But they still have third baseman Kris Bryant, first baseman Anthony Rizzo and second baseman Javier Baez, plus the leadership of left-fielder Ben Zobrist. The Nationals have power and speed and rightfielder Bryce Harper. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman had 36 homers and 108 RBI, while shortstop Trea Turner stole 46 bases in 98 games. Second baseman Daniel Murphy and left-fielder Jayson Werth bring ability and leadership. This is a deep and talented lineup. Edge: Nationals
Intangibles: Cubs manager Joe Maddon always finds a way to win, while the Nationals’ Dusty Baker always finds a way to lose. The Nationals are often favoured but seldom win and their bullpen, although improved, could be the negative difference. Edge: Cubs Pick: Cubs in five.