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Chicago Cubs: Cubs meet Los Angeles Dodgers for NLCS rematch

By William Chase |
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 09: Jose Quintana
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 09: Jose Quintana
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(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) /

After a grueling NLDS, the defending World Series Champion Chicago Cubs head back to the NLCS for a rematch with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Did you survive Game 5 of the NLDS? Of course, you did. And now you’re ready for more as the Chicago Cubs move on to face the Los Angeles Dodgers for an NLCS rematch.

A year ago, it was the Cubs who had baseball’s best record and home-field advantage as they waited for the winner of a decisive Game 5 against the Washington Nationals in D.C. The Dodgers came out victorious and on short rest, and the Cubs ultimately ended their long title drought.

Now we flip the script.

The Cubs, coming off Thursday night’s thriller, only had Friday as an off day as they shift gears for baseball’s best team in the Dodgers. L.A. is now the one trying to end a title drought, dating back to 1988.

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 06: Clayton Kershaw
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 06: Clayton Kershaw /

What we know

It was another banner year for Clayton Kershaw (18-4, 2.31 ERA), who will get the ball for the Dodgers. Kershaw faced the Cubs once, and that was at Dodger Stadium back on May 28 against Jon Lester.

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Kershaw is 1-0 in the postseason thus far. The Dodgers made quick work of the Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-game sweep. Kershaw won Game 1, allowing four runs, all solo home runs.

While Kershaw is no stranger to making history, he was on the wrong side of it last time on the mound. Against Arizona in Game 1 of the NLDS, he became the ninth pitcher in history, and first Dodger to yield four home runs in a playoff game. It was the first occurrence against an NL team.

Recapping prior history

Chicago kicked off their home opener in style, raising the banner and parading around with the World Series trophy. Their opposition was the Dodgers, and they took two of three.

Dodgers @ Cubs 3-2 W
Dodgers @ Cubs 2-0 L
Dodgers @ Cubs 4-0 W

L.A., who had a 43-7 mark at one point, were kick-starting that historic stretch with a sweep over the Cubs in Los Angeles Memorial Day weekend. Alex Wood and Brandon McCarthy blanked Chicago in the first two games.

In what would be billed as a marquee pitching matchup between Kershaw and Lester for the finale, instead was a bit of a clunker as neither made it through five innings in the eventual Dodger 9-4 win.

Cubs @ Dodgers 4-0 L
Cubs @ Dodgers 5-0 L
Cubs @ Dodgers 9-4 L

For his postseason career, Kershaw is 5-7 with a 4.63 ERA. In 2016 he faced the Cubs in Games 2 and 6 of the NLCS. In Game 2 he blanked the Cubs 1-0, allowing just two hits. Kyle Hendricks out-dueled him in the clincher during Game 6.

Historically, Kershaw has struggled in the seventh inning over 10 postseason games (17 ER).

Cubs career statistics vs. Kershaw

Jose Quintana will make his second postseason start. He was terrific in his debut against the Nationals Oct. 9, scattering two hits across 5 2/3 IP, striking out seven, and walking one. Quintana allowed one unearned run on two hits. He also came out of the bullpen Thursday, lasting 2/3 IP, allowing a hit and walk.

Against the Dodgers, he is 0-1, 0.00 ERA in two career starts, both at Dodger Stadium. It will be his first start against them since 2014.

His wife suffered a medical scare on the team charter to L.A. Friday but is reportedly doing well.

Dodgers career statistics vs. Quintana

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

NLDS numbers

In the NLDS the Cubs slashed .180/.285/.280/.565 and hit two home runs, but none of the three wins. The starters had the best ERA among all postseason teams (1.69) spanning 26 2/3 IP.

For L.A., they slashed .298/.397/.462/.858, slugged nine home runs and 18 RBI in their three-game sweep. Starters posted a 4.11 ERA in 15 1/3 IP.

While the Cubs bullpen has struggled (6.75 ERA) they accounted for two of the wins over Washington but allowed 10 ER in the eighth inning. The 13 earned runs were the most among all playoff teams. Arizona surrendered 13 runs, 11 ER to L.A.

The Dodgers posted a 2.31 ERA spanning 11 2/3 IP. Manager Joe Maddon shared his thoughts on the matchup:

“Right now, we’re playing with that same kind of mental acumen and edge that I’ve seen the last two years,” Joe Maddon said Friday. “Probably from the second half of ’15 to last year to right now, it’s very familiar. The first half of this year was unfamiliar. Now this is becoming more familiar again. “Why? Because, like I’m saying, I just think the guys became more mentally engaged.”
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) /

Game 1 lineups

Hector Rondon has been added to the NLCS roster, Justin Wilson is off. Dodger All-Star Corey Seager has battled a bad back, and will not be on the roster. Pedro Baez is also off. Charlie Culberson and Joc Pederson have been added.

One matchup to watch out for is lefties versus Kershaw. On the regular season, Kershaw’s OPS was 164 points higher against southpaws than versus righties.

The rest of the starters

The Cubs have named Jon Lester the official starter for Game 2. Order TBD for rest of series.

Next: Chicago Cubs bullpen will decide NLCS showdown with the Dodgers

What’s next

Chicago and Los Angeles meet for Game 2 of the NLCS Sunday evening at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. For manager Dave Roberts, Rich Hill (0-0, 4.50 ERA) takes the ball. Jon Lester (0-0, 1.86 ERA) will make the start for Chicago.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 pm C.T. and can be seen on TBS and heard on 670 The Score.

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