The Chicago Cubs have a chance to bring this series back to 2-1 tonight in favor of the Dodgers, which is exactly what it was at after three games last season. I’m not saying that would mean anything, in particular, to the players, but it would sure help me sleep these next few nights. Let’s see if they can get it done.
***
As for the pitching matchups …
Kyle Hendricks is taking the ball for the Cubs today, after a relatively short outing in Game 5 of the NLDS. To be fair, that was his second time facing the Nationals that series and he almost certainly had a short-leash, given the elimination-aspect of it all (and, thus, the availability of almost everyone else in the bullpen). Basically, I’m still feeling pretty good about his chances tonight.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, are sending mid-season acquisition Yu Darvish to the mound for the second time this October, after he made a pretty solid, albeit short, start against the Diamondbacks in NLDS Game 3: 5.0 IP, 2H, 1ER, 0BB, 7Ks. We explored Darvish, and his splits/weaknesses, in great detail earlier, so if you’re looking for more, we got you covered.
It’s not an elimination game, but it sure is a must-win!
Game Info
Los Angeles Dodgers (2-0) at Chicago Cubs (0-2) – 8:00 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: Kyle Hendricks (R): 3.03 ERA, 3.88 FIP, 3.76 xFIP; 3.08 K/BB
versus
Dodgers: Yu Darvish (R): 3.86 ERA, 3.83 FIP, 3.65 xFIP; 3.60 K/BB
Los Angeles Dodgers Lineup:
- Chris Taylor, SS
- Cody Bellinger, 1B
- Justin Turner, 3B
- Yasiel Puig, RF
- Andrew Ethier, LF
- Chase Utley, 2B
- Austin Barnes, C
- Joc Pederson, CF
- Yu Darvish, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Jon Jay, CF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Kyle Hendricks, P