Chicago Cubs: Reasons to stay optimistic following Game 2 loss

Losing to Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday night was a tough one for Chicago Cubs fans to swallow. But, the story behind the 1-0 game is very telling for both the Cubs and their fans.

Between Kershaw and bullpen stud Kenley Jensen, the Dodgers limited the prolific Chicago Cubs offense to just two hits. As expected, such a performance sparked questions about the team’s sluggish offensive start to the playoffs.

There is one huge positive to take away from Sunday’s contest: this winning formula isn’t sustainable for the Dodgers.

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Manager Dave Roberts rode Kershaw as long as he could until Jensen was needed in the eighth. He threw seven innings, giving up the only two hits the Cubs recorded that night and issued only one walk.

Kershaw pitched as many expected he would. But, turning to the bullpen is something the Dodger’s will need to be wary of for the remainder of the playoffs. Which, ultimately, could determine whether or not they advance out of the NLCS.

Too Much Work?

Their relievers are taxed and worn. And it’s only a matter of time before it catches up with them. Dodger relievers have thrown 28 1/3 innings so far this postseason, four more than the next closest team—the Cubs. During the regular season, the Dodger bullpen threw more just under 91 innings more than any other team with 590 2/3.

The Kershaw-Jensen combo is the Dodger’s pitching lineup that gives them the best chance to win against any team. Unfortunately, they will need three more performances like they got on Sunday if they hope to advance to the World Series.

Jensen and Kershaw lead postseason pitchers in innings pitched with 7 1/3 and 18 2/3 innings pitched respectively. Kershaw’s arm is undoubtedly fresher than Jensen’s, considering he threw the second-fewest innings in his career (149 1/3) during the regular season. Jensen, on the other hand, threw the second most innings in his career with 68 2/3.

Lack of Support

The trouble L.A. runs into without Kershaw and Jensen is run support for their starters.  Chicago’s starting staff has the second-lowest ERA among playoff teams with a 2.45, and the third-lowest WHIP at 1.12.

L.A’s first baseman Adrian Gonzales scored the lone run of the game by way of a home run off of Chicago’s starter Kyle Hendricks in the second inning. This was the first home run Hendricks gave up in the 2016 playoffs and just the third earned run.

Next: An offensive fix without hurting the defense?

In contrast, Kershaw gave up eight earned runs in the NLDS against the Washington Nationals.

The Cubs have managed to stay cool following their loss to Kershaw, a microcosm of the effect skipper Joe Maddon has had in the clubhouse. As long as the faith remains on the North Side of the city, the Cubs have a great chance to advance.

If you need some reassurance, the Cubs have the best record in the MLB following a loss at 38-20-1.