MLB teams
Tim Kurkjian, ESPN Senior Writer 7y

NLCS questions: Cubs, Dodgers set for epic chess match

MLB, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers

The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series looked sexy a week ago, but given the events of the past few days, especially with what happened Thursday night in Game 5 at Nationals Park, several more layers of intrigue have been added. The Cubs played two unforgettable games -- a loss in Game 3, a win in Game 4 -- to beat the Giants in the division series. And the Dodgers somehow beat the Nationals 4-3 in Game 5 on Thursday night in a four-hour, 32-minute epic that will be discussed for years to come. Now the two play in the NLCS. We can only hope that there will be a game or two that come even close to matching the final two games in San Francisco, and the last one in Washington. Here are five questions:

How difficult is it to match up with the Dodgers?

This season has been a long series of matchups, pitching changes and daily decisions for manager Dave Roberts. The Dodgers play the same first baseman (Adrian Gonzalez), shortstop (Corey Seager) and third baseman (Justin Turner) every day, but otherwise, Roberts mixes and matches at virtually every other position (Chase Utley started 118 games at second base, and catcher Yasmani Grandal started 106 games), looking for the best situation that day. That versatility and maneuverability makes the Dodgers difficult to counter because they are prepared for almost any possibility other than, of course, their weakness against left-handed pitching (.214/.291/.333). The Dodgers used 15 different starting pitchers this year, and they made more pitching changes than any team in major league history. Roberts took out a pitcher (Ross Stripling after 7⅓ innings) with a no-hitter going, and he took a pitcher (Rich Hill, after seven innings) out with a perfect game going. Then, in the riveting Game 5 victory over the Nationals in the NLDS, Roberts yanked Hill after 55 pitches (eight outs, six of them strikeouts; he was behind, 1-0) to bring in Joe Blanton to face right-handed hitting Anthony Rendon. Roberts used every position player but one before the eighth inning. He brought in his closer, Kenley Jansen, with no one out in the seventh inning: he got seven outs for the first time in his career, then was replaced by Clayton Kershaw, who had thrown 110 pitches on short rest two days earlier. Kershaw got his first save since the Gulf Coast League, so long ago that Kershaw's catcher in that game was Kenley Jansen. Roberts is not afraid to make a move, and he'll have to make many moves against the Cubs.

What can we expect from the Cubs' offense?

A lot. This is a really good and versatile offensive team, one that scored the second-most runs in the NL this year, 119 more runs and 179 fewer strikeouts than in 2015. In the NLDS against the Giants, the Cubs scored only 11 runs in the first three games, and six of those runs were driven in by pitchers. But just when it appeared the Cubs were going back to Chicago for Game 5, they scored four in the ninth to beat the Giants. The Cubs became the first team since the Yankees in the 2001 World Series to produce tying hits in the ninth inning or later in consecutive postseason games. Now they have to get first baseman Anthony Rizzo going offensively. He singled and drew two walks (one a crucial one in the ninth inning of Game 4), but he is 1-for-15 in this postseason, and 7-for-47 in his postseason career.

What is the status of the Dodgers' rotation?

Not where it wants to be due to the measures that had to be taken just to get to this series. Kershaw could start Game 2, but it won't be easy given that he threw 110 pitches on short rest Tuesday, then pitched in relief two days later. It's likely that Kenta Maeda, a 16-game winner who labored in his start against the Nationals in Game 3, would start Game 1. After that, it gets tricky. If it's not Kershaw in Game 2, Hill could go, but he threw 56 pitches on short rest in Game 5, meaning he would have to go on short rest again. Julio Urias, 20, could start, but he pitched in relief in Game 5, also. If Urias starts, he'll be the youngest pitcher ever to start a postseason game.

What is the status of the Cubs' rotation?

Jon Lester was brilliant in Game 1 against the Giants, becoming the third Cubs pitcher to throw eight scoreless innings without a walk in a postseason game (joining Jake Arrieta and Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown). It was the first time in Lester's decorated postseason career that he completed eight innings. Kyle Hendricks was hit in the forearm with a line drive in Game 2, forcing him to leave the game in the fourth inning, but from all indications, he has recovered, and should be 100 percent for the Dodgers. Before getting hit, however, Hendricks wasn't sharp (he has now given up seven earned runs in 12⅓ innings in his three postseason starts), but if that changeup is right, he will be hard to handle. Arrieta, who labored the second half of the season, gave the Cubs six good innings in Game 3, but the bullpen lost his lead. John Lackey is the fourth starter, and he is a tested and accomplished postseason pitcher, even though he lasted only four innings in Game 4.

Who has been the breakthrough player of this postseason?

Javy Baez of the Cubs. He is an elite defender in the infield, especially at second base. His ability to catch a short-hop throw from the catcher, and apply the tag on a potential base stealer, is rivaled only by Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy. Baez has a great throwing arm and remarkable range, he hits with power, he gets big hits and -- unlike so many players of this generation, a generation that runs the bases poorly at best -- he is a great baserunner, with a natural feel for the game and for situations. He personifies who the Cubs are: young, athletic and versatile; plug him in at any position in any situation, he can beat you in so many ways.

Cubs in seven.

^ Back to Top ^