2016 NLCS Preview and Predictions
The Dodgers didn't surprise me really. I said that that series could go either way, but I went with the Nats in 5 because I didn't know whether or not the Dodgers' postseason struggles had gone. Both offenses got anything they wanted hitting wise, it was just a matter of them capitalizing on the baserunners provided. I thought both teams did a good job of that; it was just that the Dodgers were able to close out the 1-run games better. The gave up more runs than they scored, but the 1-run games were the games that they won which ultimately won the series for the Dodgers in the NLDS. I think that that will be the key to beating the Cubs this series. As long as they get 4 good outings from their starters, they will be fine with some run production as well. The bullpen being able to close out the close games will be the key as long as the Dodgers bring the power that they had in the NLDS.
The Cubs did exactly what I expected them to do: Only drop one game against the Giants and move on. The Cubs offense came to hit (Along with the pitching staff) in that series. The offensive production will be the key for the Cubs continuing on to the World Series. The thing is that the Cubs faced a team that didn't know how to close out games, whereas the Dodgers do. The Cubs need to have the lead going into innings 7-9, otherwise, they could lose this series. The offense is very good and the pitching is even better, and you know my mantra and you know my motto: Pitching and defense wins championships. I think that they do face a tougher/more complete task against the Dodgers, but as long as the Cubs have the lead in the later stages of the ball game, they will be just fine.
Now we combine all those factors and come up with my predictions:
Game 1; Los Angeles at Chicago: Jon Lester vs Kenta Maeda, Chicago winning 5-1
The Cubs will be able to get a sizeable lead against Kenta Maeda and the Dodgers and win game 1. Kenta is not going to be ready for the second highest moment in the postseason, I suspect, and the Cubs' bats will be able to take advantage to create a sizeable lead that the Dodgers won't be able to recover from.
Game 2; Los Angeles at Chicago: Kyle Hendricks vs Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles winning 5-3
Kershaw has not been dominant this postseason and he hasn't had to be. The bats will wake up against Kyle Hendricks, who has been very good this season, yes, but I think this will be the bounce back game for the Dodgers bats and Clayton will do enough with his nasty stuff to lead the Dodgers to victory in game 2.
Game 3; Chicago at Los Angeles: Rich Hill vs Jake Arrieta, Los Angeles winning 4-2
The youth of the Cubs will show itself in this game, as I expect the Dodgers to come out swinging and get off to a fast start and only allow 2 runs to the rest of the Cubs' offense. The youth against the desperate that has been burned up to this point will show its true colors in the postseason, as I expect the bats to struggle at the start of the game while the bats of the Dodgers will be good to start which will ultimately be the difference of this game.
Game 4; Chicago at Los Angeles: Julio Urias vs John Lackey, Los Angeles winning 6-4
The Dodgers will take the lead at around the 5th or 6th inning and it will be all over for the Cubs. I expect the hitting to produce its best baseball in game 4 which will be the make or break game for the Dodgers. Once the Dodgers take the lead in the 5th or 6th inning, the pen will shut down the bats of the Cubs and take a 3-1 series lead.
Game 5; Chicago at Los Angeles: TBD vs TBD, Chicago winning 7-1
The Cubs' bats will be due for at least one offensive scoring output against the Dodgers. This will be the game that gives hope for Cubs fans and people who hate/dislike the Dodgers (Like me) and cause the Dodgers to not use their pen. This will be a blowout right from the get go, as I expect one hitter to set the tone with a 2-RBI double or home run to give the Cubs an early lead and never look back. The Dodgers will be due for a struggle game and I expect it to be this one. The Cubs offense and pitching is too good to go down this easily.
Game 6; Los Angeles at Chicago: TBD vs TBD, Los Angeles winning 3-2
This is the closeout game for the Dodgers as I expect this to be a pitching dominant game for both sides. The Cubs will start off with a 2-0 lead off of a 2-run shot, but then the determined Dodgers will get a 3-run 8th or 9th inning to come back and steal game 6 and advance to the World Series off of a final strikeout from Kenley Jansen.
