NEWSLETTER
REMATCH TIME.
Tonight, at 7:00 CT, the Chicago Cubs will step back into the ring against their 2016 NLCS foes, the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cubs beat the Dodgers in six games last year, so they’ll be angling to do it in one less game this time around (but no fewer … IÂ have tickets to Game 5).
Jose Quintana is getting the ball for the Cubs tonight, after a successful start (and relief appearance) in the NLDS against the Nationals. Although the Cubs are confident he’s well-rested, I have to imagine that their brief contemplation of using John Lackey tonight instead means that his batteries are not 100% charged.
As Brett pointed out earlier, the Dodgers 109 wRC+ against southpaws this season was best in the National League. Of course, one of their very best hitters (both in general and against lefties), Corey Seager, will definitely miss tonight’s game and will probably not face (presumably) Jon Lester tomorrow. That could be a huge break.
Opposing Quintana tonight is the Dodgers ace, Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw is probably the best pitcher of his generation, but he has had issues in the postseason. Even his NLDS Game 1 win over the Diamondbacks this year featured four earned runs on five hits and three walks. Be patient, though, because the Diamondbacks didn’t really break through until the 6th and 7th inning.
And, of course, the Cubs were able to push past Kershaw in Game 6 of the 2016 NLCS to clinch their first World Series berth in over 70 years. Maybe they can do it again.
Game Info
Los Angeles Dodgers (0-0) at Chicago Cubs (0-0)Â – 7:00 CT on TBS, 670 The Score
Game Thread and Series Preview
Your game thread is down in the comments, so let’s have some good, clean (safe-for-work) fun today.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Jose Quintana (L): 4.15 ERA, 3.68 FIP, 3.73 xFIP; 3.39 K/BB
versus
Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw (L): 2.31 ERA, 3.07 FIP, 2.84 xFIP; 6.73 K/BB
Los Angeles Dodgers Lineup:
- Chris Taylor, CF
- Justin Turner, 3B
- Cody Bellinger, 1B
- Enrique Hernandez, LF
- Logan Forsythe, 2B
- Austin Barnes, C
- Yasiel Puig, RF
- Charlie Culberson, SS
- Clayton Kershaw, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Jon Jay, RF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Jose Quintana, P
