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With the Cleveland Indians waiting for their opponent and the National League Championship Series between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers nearing its conclusion, World Series predictions continue to roll in for the three teams still alive in the 2016 playoffs.

While it isn’t surprising that the Cubbies have made it this far considering they had the best record in Major League Baseball during the regular season, pre-playoff picks suggest few expected the Indians and Dodgers to still be in the hunt at this point.

As the start of the Fall Classic draws closer, here is a look at predictions for the World Series winner from some of the top experts in baseball.

FiveThirtyEight

FiveThirtyEight uses statistical models to make predictions across multiple sports including baseball.

According to FiveThirtyEight.com, the Cubs are favored to win the World Series with a 51 percent chance, followed by the Indians at 39 percent and the Dodgers at 10 percent.

Chicago is also a heavy favorite in the NLCS with an 81 percent chance to get past L.A.

The numbers make plenty of sense, as the Cubs were the best team in baseball during the regular season and don’t seem to have a weakness.

Their starting rotation is great from top to bottom with Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks and John Lackey. They also boast an elite closer in Aroldis Chapman.

On top of that, Chicago is capable of getting production from anywhere in its lineup thanks to the contributions of Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Javier Baez and Ben Zobrist, among others.

Cleveland, on the other hand, is without ace pitchers Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, while Trevor Bauer’s status remains unclear after cutting his pinkie finger on a drone.

Despite that and everything the stats suggest, Tribe owner Paul Dolan believes his team may be meant to win it all, per Zack Meisel of Cleveland.com:

In February or March of many years, we foresee a team that can win. And then the story develops and something happens and we don’t. This has been that year where everything goes right. Even when something goes wrong, it turns into something right. I’ve heard ‘Team of Destiny’ mentioned a few times. It sure feels like something like that.

Both the Cubs and Indians have had unexplained collapses and shortcomings in the playoffs over the years despite fielding great teams.

The result is that Chicago hasn’t won the World Series since 1908, while Cleveland hasn’t accomplished its ultimate goal since 1948.

Both may be due to end their respective droughts from a statistical perspective, and FiveThirtyEight favors the Cubs to do precisely that.

ESPN

ESPN polled 32 of its experts prior to the start of the MLB playoffs, and only one of them has a chance to correctly call both World Series participants as well as the winner.

According to ESPN.com, Adam Rubin predicted a clash between the Indians and Cubs in the Fall Classic, which will occur if Chicago takes care of business in one of the next two games.

David Schoenfield also picked Cleveland to go all the way, but he picked the Indians to lose to the San Francisco Giants.

Eric Karabell was the only expert to predict the Dodgers would reach the World Series, but he had them losing to the Boston Red Sox.

Rubin chose the Cubs over the Indians in the World Series, but he was far from the only one to predict that Chicago would end its long title drought. In fact, 19 experts chose the Cubs, which was more than any other team, while no one chose the Indians or Dodgers.

The confidence in the Cubs is understandable, but recent history hasn’t been good to them when it comes to closing out the NLCS and reaching the World Series, according to ESPN Stats & Info:

Regardless of whether the Cubs or Dodgers reach the World Series, they will be at somewhat of a disadvantage to the Indians.

The fact that Cleveland beat the Toronto Blue Jays in five games has given the team extra rest and allowed it to set up its starting rotation however it pleases.

That may not matter because the team lacks great starters behind Corey Kluber due to myriad injuries, but any rest in October is a luxury after such a long season.

USA Today

Like ESPN, USA Today polled multiple experts before the playoffs started, and they too were largely behind the Cubs to win it all.

While no expert correctly predicted the World Series since nobody chose the Indians to reach the Fall Classic, six of the seven had the Cubs making it to the end, while Gabe Lacques picked the Dodgers to win the NLCS.

Of the six experts who penciled in the Cubs as NL champions, Steve Gardner, Bob Nightengale, Jorge L. Ortiz and Ted Berg believed they would win the World Series as well.

Pressure is an immeasurable factor, but after winning the most games during the regular season and getting picked by so many to end its supposed World Series curse, Chicago is under the most pressure to win.

Cleveland is playing with house money to some degree since none of the aforementioned experts picked the Indians to win, likely because their starting rotation as been depleted.

The Indians do have a big advantage over both the Cubs and Dodgers in the bullpen, though, as Cody Allen and championship series MVP Andrew Miller carried them through the first two rounds by pitching in any and all situations.

Miller, in particular, put forth an historic performance to push the Tribe into the World Series:

Bullpen dominance has gone a long way toward championship success in recent years, as the Kansas City Royals largely rode their relievers to a World Series triumph last season.

The Indians have a chance to do the same, but they’ll still be heavy underdogs if the Cubs can seal the deal against the Dodgers.

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After coming back from a 2-1 deficit to go up 3-2 in the National League Championship Series, the Chicago Cubs have pushed the Los Angeles Dodgers’ back against the wall, as L.A. will enter Saturday’s Game 6 in win-or-go-home mode.

The pitching contest will be a rematch of the Game 2 affair the Dodgers won 1-0, with ace Clayton Kershaw going up against regular-season NL ERA leader Kyle Hendricks. With two top-flight hurlers on the mound, runs could be difficult to come by once again.

With the Cubs just one win away from reaching the World Series, here is everything you need to know about when and where to watch Game 6, as well as a prediction for which team will prevail.

Where: Wrigley Field in Chicago

When: Saturday, Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. ET

Watch: Fox Sports 1

Dodgers Player to Watch: Clayton Kershaw

Great pitchers can almost single-handedly carry teams through the playoffs at times, and the Dodgers may need that type of performance out of Kershaw in Game 6.

After struggling to the tune of a 5.84 ERA in the NLDS against the Washington Nationals, Kershaw bounced back in a big way in Game 2 of the NLCS, firing seven innings of two-hit, no-run baseball in a 1-0 Dodgers triumph.

The Cubs were also shut out by Rich Hill in Game 3, but the bats have since come back to life in the form of 18 runs over the past two contests.

Despite that, the Dodgers appear to have plenty of confidence entering Game 6.

According to MLB‘s official Twitter account, manager Dave Roberts feels good about his team’s chances with Kershaw on the bump:

The same can be said for Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register:

Kershaw’s career playoff record leaves plenty to be desired, as he is just 4-6 with a 4.39 ERA despite the gem he threw in Game 2.

Even so, the fact he has been on the big stage so often means the moment shouldn’t overwhelm him. He is of the belief he is well prepared and equipped to take on the challenge, according to Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune:

Obviously the fans are pretty excited about their team this year, and rightfully so. They have been waiting a long time for them to win. … Pitching on the road is obviously different, but you try and keep it the same as possible. D.C. was one of the louder environments that I’ve pitched in. So I have gotten to do that now a few times. I guess I’m as prepared as I’ll ever be for that.

The Dodgers bullpen has struggled during the NLCS, so it is incumbent upon Kershaw to pitch well and pitch deep into Game 6.

If he is locked in, then the Dodgers won’t have to do much against Hendricks, much like in Game 2.

Pitching in Game 6 does take a potential relief appearance in a possible Game 7 out of the equation for Kershaw, but Game 7 won’t even occur if he doesn’t come through Saturday.

Cubs Player to Watch: Javier Baez

Great defense and timely hitting are paramount in high-pressure playoff games, especially when elite pitchers are on the mound. Because of that, Javier Baez could be the most important position player in Game 6.

The 23-year-old is enjoying a spectacular playoff run in 2016, as he is hitting .368 with five RBI and two stolen bases in the NLCS.

According to MLB Stat of the Day, his penchant for extra-base hits is already historic through five games of the series:

As good as Baez has been at the plate, it can be argued that his defense at second base has been even better.

While Baez played all over the diamond during the regular season, he has settled in at second base during the playoffs and regularly made difficult plays look routine, such as the one on Gonzalez in Game 5 that features in this MLB Twitter post:

Many have taken notice of Baez’s defense reaching an elite level, including ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark:

Although Chicago’s offense has exploded over the past two games, Kershaw is skilled at silencing bats, much like he did in Game 2.

If Kershaw pitches another gem, every play and every out will be of the utmost importance, which is why Baez’s defense will be key.

He has also been the most consistently productive hitter in the Cubs lineup during the postseason, and he seems the likeliest candidate to get a big hit for Chicago in a tight game, which could push the team into the World Series.

Game 6 Pick

Cubs fans have been starved for a World Series berth since 1945, and they are just one win away from finally making their return.

The crowd promises to be raucous at Wrigley Field Saturday, and it won’t be an easy atmosphere for Kershaw and the Dodgers to deal with.

Kershaw already managed to do so once in Game 2, however, and now he has seemingly found his playoff stride, the Dodgers enter Game 6 with an advantage.

Hendricks had a spectacular regular season, but he has struggled to give the Cubs length during the playoffs, going just 3.2 innings in the NLDS against the San Francisco Giants before leaving through injury and 5.1 innings in Game 2 of the NLCS.

He also had control problems in his last start, as he walked four batters, while Kershaw offered just one free pass.

The Los Angeles offense has been largely stagnant in the series, but if Yasmani Grandal, Corey Seager, Joc Pederson and Co. are able to run into a pitch or two, Kershaw may not need much more run support than that.

Kershaw is a three-time Cy Young Award winner and has been the best regular-season pitcher in baseball for years. He’ll carry that trend over into the playoffs for a second consecutive start to force a Game 7.

Game 6 prediction: Dodgers 2, Cubs 1

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While the Cleveland Indians already punched their ticket to the World Series, the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers continue to battle it out in the NL championship. The Cubbies are just one win away from taking the next step toward breaking a century-long drought.

Chicago’s offense broke out of a funk in Game 4 and Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead after trailing 2-1. The Cubs are favored to win the series with a one-game cushion at their disposal, but the Dodgers have a pair of aces up their sleeve with Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill set to take the mound in Game 6 and Game 7, respectively.

With Game 6 on the horizon, here is a look at the current odds of interest in the NLCS, as well as a prediction for which team will come out on top.

NLCS Game 6 Odds: Dodgers 10-13, Cubs 6-5 (via OddsShark)

NLCS Series Odds: Cubs 10-17, Dodgers 7-5 (via OddsShark)

Remaining NLCS Schedule

NLCS Prediction

After getting shut out in both Game 2 and Game 3, things looked somewhat grim for the Cubs, but they bounced back in a big way over the past two games to take firm control of the series.

The Game 5 triumph was an especially big one, as teams that win Game 5 of a best-of-seven series that is tied 2-2 historically have gone on to win the vast majority of the time, according to ESPN Stats & Info:

Chicago’s biggest key to success over the past two contests has been the fact that first baseman Anthony Rizzo and shortstop Addison Russell broke out of massive slumps and led the Cubs’ offense, much like they did all season long.

Both players are 5-for-10 in their last two outings with a combined three home runs and eight RBI.

Although that is a great sign for the Cubbies, Rizzo and Russell have done their damage against struggling starters and relievers.

That can be said for much of Chicago’s lineup, as Kershaw and Hill thoroughly dominated the Cubs hitters in Game 2 and Game 3, per Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com:

While neither Kenta Maeda nor Julio Urias pitched particularly well in the Dodgers’ three losses during the series, most of Chicago’s success has come against L.A.’s struggling bullpen:

If Kershaw and Hill are able to replicate their previous performances in the series, though, the Dodgers won’t have to worry much about their relief pitching woes.

Kershaw has often been ridiculed for his playoff record in comparison to how good he has been during the regular season over the course of his career.

Although the lefty had an up-and-down NL divisional series, he pitched like a true ace in Game 2 of the NLCS by allowing just two hits and one walk in seven innings of shutout baseball.

After that showing, Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez is confident that Kershaw can get them back in the series, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register:

Assuming Kershaw comes through in the clutch, the series will go to a Game 7 featuring a pitching matchup pitting Hill against Jake Arrieta.

Hill easily won that battle in Game 3 by allowing two hits and two walks in six shutout innings, while Arrieta scattered six hits and four runs over five frames.

While Hill was great during the regular season, he struggled against the Washington Nationals during the NLDS and has yet to prove he can string together consecutive great starts in the playoffs.

Arrieta hasn’t been the same pitcher since starting off 2016 in dominant fashion and winning the 2015 NL Cy Young Award, but his recent history against the Dodgers prior to Game 3 was impressive, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today:

Now that Chicago’s big bats have come to life, it once again looks like the all-around elite team it was over the course of the entire regular season.

The Cubs’ lineup depth is amazing, thanks to the likes of Rizzo, Russell, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and others, and it is difficult to envision them being held down once again in consecutive games.

A locked-in Kershaw will find a way to force a Game 7, but with the Wrigley Field faithful behind them and Arrieta on the mound, the Cubs will win that decisive game and finally get back to the World Series.

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The complexion of both the ALCS and NLCS changed significantly Tuesday, as the Toronto Blue Jays staved off elimination and the Los Angeles Dodgers took a 2-1 lead over the Chicago Cubs.  

Toronto is still in trouble as it faces a 3-1 deficit, but injury woes have the Cleveland Indians reeling. And while the NLCS could still go either way, pressure is mounting for the Cubbies after many years of playoff failures.

With the World Series quickly approaching, here is a full rundown of the remaining championship series schedule, as well as predictions for which teams will prevail in each series.

LCS Schedule

ALCS Predictions

The Indians had a great opportunity to put the Blue Jays away Tuesday in Game 4 with Corey Kluber on the mound, but Cleveland’s ace was outdueled by Aaron Sanchez, and Toronto’s bats finally came to life in a 5-1 triumph.

Toronto lived to fight another day, and it seemingly has the advantage in Game 5, as it will send Marco Estrada to the mound to take on Indians rookie Ryan Merritt.

The 24-year-old Merritt has just one career MLB start to his credit, but with a career ERA of 3.39 in the minors, he has a solid track record.

Even so, Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista seems unconcerned about the challenges the lefty could present, according to MLB.com’s Alykhan K. Ravjiani:

Toronto also has another factor on its side entering Game 5, as it has proven difficult to oust in the playoffs at Rogers Centre, per ESPN Stats & Info:

Most signs point toward the Jays winning at home and sending the series back to Cleveland, and while that will shift much of the pressure toward the Indians, there is a lot to like about how their rotation is set up.

Kluber figures to be available for a potential Game 7, but they may not need him due to how well Josh Tomlin has performed since the start of September.

Tomlin allowed just three hits and one run in 5.2 innings against the Blue Jays in Game 2, and as pointed out by the Indians’ official Twitter account, he is currently in the midst of a remarkable hot streak:

Neither team has swung the bats particularly well during the series, but Cleveland has been better in terms of coming up with timely hits in big situations.

The biggest key for the Indians will be grabbing a lead in one of the next three games and taking it into the fifth or sixth inning, which would then allow them to put the game in the hands of Andrew Miller and Cody Allen.

Tomlin’s recent form suggests he can help them keep a lead in Game 6, and that should allow them to move on to the World Series for the first time in nearly two decades.

Prediction: Indians in six

NLCS Predictions

The Cubs were the best team in baseball all season long, as their 103-58 record suggests, but after getting locked down by Rich Hill in Game 3 of the NLCS, they suddenly trail the Dodgers, 2-1.

Chicago’s bats have gone stagnant over the past two contests, earning Joe Maddon‘s team a dubious distinction that it would undoubtedly like to shake with a better performance in Game 4:

Game 4 will be a pivotal tilt since it could either push the Cubs to the brink of elimination or swing the momentum firmly back in their favor.

Chicago may have the perfect person on the mound for such a high-pressure situation, as 37-year-old veteran John Lackey will toe the rubber against 20-year-old rookie Julio Urias.

Lackey has 21 career postseason starts under his belt with a record of 8-5 and a 3.22 ERA. He has twice won the World Series, and he even started a World Series Game 7 with the Los Angeles Angels as a rookie in 2002.

ESPN’s Michael Wilbon believes Lackey has what it takes to help the Cubs erase their current series deficit:

Lackey struggled in his NLDS start against the San Francisco Giants, allowing seven hits, two walks and three runs in four innings, but Maddon feels he is prepared to deliver a strong outing in Game 4 of the NLCS.

“I think he’s still building up his arm strength. The last game in San Francisco, the velocity was pretty good. He probably wasn’t as sharp location-wise, but his stuff is absolutely there. I know he’s going to be ready for the moment,” Maddon told Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register.

The Cubs have the advantage in Game 4 and figure to prevail thanks to Lackey’s veteran savvy, but things become more uncertain beyond that.

Los Angeles could deploy Clayton Kershaw in Game 5 or 6, however, the Cubs will have the advantage in the game Kershaw doesn’t pitch since struggling rookie Kenta Maeda figures to take the mound.

The current flow of the series suggests a Game 7 is very possible, and it would likely lead to a rematch of Game 3 between Hill and Jake Arrieta.

Although Arrieta faltered in Game 3, the 2015 Cy Young Award winner will turn it around at Wrigley Field and punch Chicago’s ticket to the World Series.

Prediction: Cubs in seven

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The Cleveland Indians are just one win away from the World Series after a dramatic victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of the ALCS Monday night, while the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers are deadlocked in a tightly contested NLCS.

Cleveland’s advantage is far from insurmountable, especially after it was forced to lean heavily on its bullpen in Game 3, while Chicago still seemingly has the upper hand in the NLCS despite panic potentially starting to set in among fans due to Clayton Kershaw‘s sparkling performance for L.A. in Game 2.

As both series trend toward producing the two teams that will battle it out in the World Series, here is a look at the remaining league championship series schedule, the results thus far and predictions for how the series will play out.

LCS Schedule

ALCS Results and Predictions

The Tribe entered the ALCS down a pair of ace pitchers in Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, and things seemingly got even worse on the pitching front when Trevor Bauer severely cut his finger while repairing a drone ahead of his scheduled Game 2 start.

Josh Tomlin was moved up in the rotation, and Bauer was slated for Game 3, but the 25-year-old was forced to exit in the first inning Monday when the bleeding from his finger was too heavy to control.

That prompted manager Terry Francona to use seven pitchers, including Cody Allen and Andrew Miller sharing the final three innings in a 4-2 victory spurred by timely home runs from Mike Napoli and the previously slumping Jason Kipnis.

After sweeping through the ALDS and taking a 3-0 ALCS lead, the Indians are in some elite company over the course of MLB playoff history, according to ESPN:

Many have contributed to Cleveland’s remarkable run, but it is difficult to argue against the notion that Miller has been the team’s MVP.

Miller has allowed just four hits and two walks in nine postseason innings thus far to go along with a ridiculous 20 strikeouts.

Per SportsCenter, no pitcher in MLB history has racked up that many strikeouts in his first nine innings of a single postseason:

Miller has been so dominant, in fact, that Dodgers pitcher Brandon McCarthy questioned why Blue Jays hitters are even making an effort when they step to the plate against him:

For as great as Miller has been whenever called upon, it is unclear how much he’ll be able to give the Indians Tuesday in Game 4 if needed.

Cleveland will start Corey Kluber in Game 4 on just three days of rest after he went 6.1 innings on Friday, allowing six hits, two walks and no runs in a Game 1 victory over Toronto.

It is unclear how much length Kluber will be able to give the Indians in Game 4, but legendary pitcher and TBS analyst Pedro Martinez believes he is in ideal position to potentially shut the door on the series:

The Blue Jays are capable of going on a big-time hot streak when their top hitters are in rhythm, and although that hasn’t happened yet in the ALCS, one big performance and one win could go a long way toward mounting a comeback.

Kluber is the only constant and certainty in the Indians rotation, though, and there is no better option to put on the mound in a potential series-clincher.

Because of that, look for Kluber to come through with another big outing to complete the sweep and send Cleveland to its first World Series since 1997.

NLCS Results and Predictions

Kershaw has long been criticized for a lack of dominance in the playoffs in comparison to his regular-season production, but he came through in a big way when needed in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Cubs.

With the Dodgers trailing 1-0 in the series, Kershaw gave them seven innings of two-hit, shutout ball in a 1-0 victory to even the series at 1-1.

The most remarkable aspect of his performance was that he racked up so many innings in the NLDS against the Washington Nationals as well, as pointed out by Jon Morosi of MLB Network:

Although Kershaw seems superhuman at times, he can’t pitch in every game for the Dodgers, and that means the Cubbies have the advantage any time he doesn’t.

Chicago has a strong staff with four starters who can toss a gem on any given day, and Jake Arrieta is chief among them.

Arrieta will pitch for the Cubs in Game 3 against the struggling Rich Hill, and he has given the Dodgers fits over the past couple of seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Info:

Los Angeles has yet to finalize its NLCS rotation, but the Cubs will counter with veteran John Lackey in Game 4 and Game 1 starter Jon Lester once again in Game 5.

One can only assume Kershaw will get the ball in Game 5 if the Dodgers go down 3-1 in the series, but even if he manages to shut the Cubs down once again, that would leave L.A. at a major disadvantage in potential Game 6 and Game 7 clashes.

In addition to having the better all-around rotation, the Cubs also boast a better lineup from top to bottom, and they’ll be especially dangerous if Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell can shake off slumps and join Kris Bryant and Javier Baez in tearing the cover off the ball.

It was no accident that Chicago was far and away Major League Baseball’s best team during the regular season, and it will prove that in the NLCS by advancing to the World Series in six games.

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Following Saturday’s Game 1 of the NLCS at Wrigley Field in Chicago, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs will meet again on Sunday night for a pivotal Game 2 before the teams head west to L.A.

Both the Dodgers and the Cubs are looking to end lengthy World Series droughts, although there is likely more desperation on Chicago’s side, since the Cubs haven’t reached the World Series since 1945 and haven’t won it since 1908.

Prior to Game 2, here is all the information you need regarding how to watch the matchup, as well as a prediction for which team will come out on top.

Where: Wrigley Field in Chicago

When: Sunday, Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. ET

Watch: Fox Sports 1

Dodgers Player to Watch: Joc Pederson

Outfielder Joc Pederson was among the Dodgers’ most potent offensive players during the NLDS against the Washington Nationals, and he came through in some clutch situations as well.

Pederson hit .333 with one home run and three RBI in L.A.’s first playoff series, but the biggest of his five hits undoubtedly came in the seventh inning of Game 5, when he tied things up with a solo shot.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, it had been 28 years since a Dodgers player last accomplished a similar feat:

Pederson tends to be a streaky player due to his propensity for striking out, but he’s made huge strides since his rookie season.

The 24-year-old hit 25 homers and set a career high with 68 RBI, but he also improved his batting average from .210 to .246 and cut down his strikeouts by 40, making him a much tougher out.

That has translated to the playoffs thus far, and it makes the Dodgers’ entire lineup far more dangerous when he is putting the ball in play.

Perhaps no player on L.A.’s entire roster is more capable of changing the complexion of a game or series with one swing of the bat, and the Dodgers may need precisely that in a tough matchup with Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks on Sunday.

Cubs Player to Watch: Kyle Hendricks

Hendricks’ NLDS start against the San Francisco Giants ended after just 3.2 innings, when he got hit in the forearm with a line drive.

The 26-year-old allowed two earned runs on four hits and didn’t appear to have his best stuff, but he still contributed heavily to Chicago’s win.

After getting just two RBI during the regular season, Hendricks drove in two runs in that game, which hadn’t been done by a pitcher in the playoffs in eight years, according to ESPN Stats & Info:

There was some concern that Hendricks would miss time, but after throwing and testing his arm out, he ruled himself “good to go,” per Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago.

That was enough for manager Joe Maddon to name him the Cubs’ Game 2 starter despite having some other capable options at his disposal.

Hendricks went 16-8 and led qualified National League starters with a 2.13 ERA during the regular season. It was a true breakout campaign, but he has yet to prove he can get the job done on the big stage.

With a career ERA of 5.11 in three postseason starts, Hendricks is still searching for a gem in the games that matter most.

Continued playoff issues could lead to a huge Los Angeles win, but if Hendricks performs like he did during the regular season, the Cubs will almost certainly come away with the victory.

Game 2 Prediction

Seemingly every factor appears to be pointing in the Cubs’ favor ahead of Game 2, as they boast advantages across the board.

Chicago will play the game at home and Hendricks will pitch on extra rest. Plus the lineup is as deep as any in the league, with Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell and Javier Baez leading the way for the National League’s No. 2 regular-season scoring offense.

It’s difficult to argue against the notion that the Cubs are the best all-around team in baseball, and that should come in handy in Game 2, since it means they can beat the Dodgers in a number of different ways.

Look for strong starting pitching, timely hitting and clutch relief from closer Aroldis Chapman to carry Chicago to victory in Sunday’s NLCS clash.

Game 2 pick: Cubs win, 4-2

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Following the Los Angeles Dodgers’ come-from-behind win over the Washington Nationals in Game 5 of the NLDS, the NLCS is officially set with the Chicago Cubs looking to return to the World Series for the first time since 1945.

According to Odds Shark, the Cubs enter the series as 20-39 favorites, while the Dodgers are 7-4 underdogs. Although history hasn’t been kind to Chicago, every indication throughout 2016 has been that the Cubs are the best all-around team in baseball.

As the Cubs look to exorcise more than a century of demons by reaching and winning the World Series, here is a full rundown of the NLCS viewing schedule, as well as a prediction for how the series will play out.

Dodgers Player to Watch: Corey Seager

The Dodgers are far less offensively inclined than the Cubs, but that could change if shortstop Corey Seager gets hot at the plate in the NLCS.

The 2016 regular season marked Seager’s first full campaign in Major League Baseball, and he didn’t disappoint, as he hit .308 with 26 home runs, 72 RBI and 105 runs scored while being named to his first career All-Star team.

Despite enjoying such a great year, Seager was hit-and-miss during the NLDS, as he finished with a .130 batting average to go along with two home runs and three RBI.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, the 22-year-old struggled to get anything going at the plate beyond the opening inning:

Seager’s first-inning heroics were key in Los Angeles advancing to the NLCS, but the Dodgers need him to be a threat throughout the entire course of games moving forward.

He possesses power that is rarely seen at the shortstop position, as evidenced by him accomplishing something that hadn’t been done by a shortstop in a division series in nine years, per MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell:

The Cubs boast a pitching staff that doesn’t let up, so Los Angeles will need contributions throughout its lineup to advance.

Provided Seager plays like the stud he proved himself to be during the regular season, however, it will make life far easier for the rest of the lineup in terms of seeing quality pitches and being put in positions to succeed.

Cubs Player to Watch: Kris Bryant

After establishing himself as an MVP candidate during the regular season by hitting .292 with 39 home runs, 102 RBI and an NL-best 121 runs scored, third baseman Kris Bryant has carried over his hot hitting to the playoffs.

In Chicago’s NLDS triumph over the San Francisco Giants, Bryant hit .375 with one homer and three RBI, and he proved he has a knack for clutch hitting in the process.

Although the Cubs went on to lose in extra innings, Bryant hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning of Game 3 against the Giants to tie the game, which put him in elite company, according to ESPN Stats & Info:

While Bryant is just 24 years of age, he seemingly already has the mindset of a veteran player who has been through all the battles before.

Per Dan Martin of the New York Post, Bryant said the Cubs gained “motivation” in losing to the New York Mets in last year’s NLCS and that he and the Cubs don’t intend to go through a similar situation this time around: “Going through that NLCS, when we had high expectations, was tough. We found out it was like to be swept and what that feels like. And we definitely don’t want to do that again.”

For as great as the Cubs were last season, they are a far more experienced and dominant team in 2016, and the steps taken by Bryant are a big reason for that.

The 2015 NL Rookie of the Year makes the entire lineup better due to his ability to get on base and hit the ball out of the park, and he figures to make life miserable for the L.A. pitching staff in the NLCS.

Series Prediction

The Dodgers enter the NLCS at a significant disadvantage since their roster is nowhere near as deep and talented as Chicago’s—and due to the fact that ace Clayton Kershaw won’t be available in Game 1.

Kershaw started Game 4 of the NLDS and came in for the final two outs of Game 5 to record the save and send L.A. to the next round.

Although Kershaw was far from his best during the NLDS with a 5.84 ERA, the Dodgers are overly dependent on him to win games, as evidenced by this tweet courtesy of ESPN Stats & Info:

Neither Rich Hill nor Kenta Maeda pitched well in starting roles for the Dodgers in the NLDS, and rookie Julio Urias could be pressed into more significant action against the Cubs.

Conversely, Chicago’s rotation is stacked from top to bottom with Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks and John Lackey all capable of tossing a gem on any given day.

The Cubs also have a deep lineup without any truly easy outs, spearheaded by Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell and Javier Baez.

Both Rizzo and Russell struggled mightily in the NLDS, yet Chicago still managed to put plenty of runs on the board.

It is difficult to envision their issues continuing for much longer, and that makes the Cubs an even more difficult team to contend with.

The Dodgers were seemingly forced to empty the tank in order to get past the Nats, and there simply won’t be enough left to pull off the upset over Major League Baseball’s best team.

Prediction: Cubs win in 5

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The San Francisco Giants used five pitchers in a four-run, ninth-inning rally that saw them get ousted from the National League Division Series by the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night, and veteran Santiago Casilla was highly emotional about not being among them.

Following the Giants’ shocking 6-5 loss in Game 4, the 36-year-old veteran was in tears as he commented on manager Bruce Bochy’s decision to leave him on the bench.

According to Carl Steward of the San Jose Mercury News, Casilla said:

I never had that moment before during five years here. I had a little struggle. But everybody [in the bullpen] has had their bad moments. I think they forgot all the great moments I’ve had here. I’ve pitched a lot in the playoffs and done my job. I know I am a good pitcher.

Casilla’s career postseason numbers are sparkling, as he boasts a 0.92 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and four saves in 19.2 pressure-packed playoff innings.

The 13th-year major leaguer struggled mightily down the stretch during the regular season, however, as he posted a 5.87 ERA in September and October. Casilla ended the campaign with a 3.57 ERA and nine blown saves in 31 opportunities, which prompted the Giants to remove him from the full-time closer role.

In Casilla’s stead, Bochy used Derek Law, Javier Lopez, Sergio Romo, Will Smith and Hunter Strickland in the ninth inning Tuesday.

They combined to allow four runs on four hits and one walk without recording a single strikeout.

Casilla finished the 2016 playoffs with just 0.2 innings to his credit, allowing two hits and no runs. While he has posted a combined 69 regular-season saves over the past two years, Casilla’s time with the Giants may have come to an end Tuesday since he is set to hit free agency.

Although Casilla’s late-season play didn’t inspire much confidence, his experience in big moments may have trumped that on the playoff stage.

Bochy is a likely future Hall of Famer, with three World Series titles to his credit, and he often seems to push the right buttons during the playoffs, but leaving one of the best clutch playoff relievers of the past several years in the bullpen was a questionable decision.

It may not have quite reached the level of Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter opting against using dominant closer Zach Britton in an American League Wild Card Game loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, but Bochy’s choice is likely to be second-guessed for many years to come.

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Saturday’s scheduled Game 2 of the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals was postponed and rescheduled for Sunday due to poor weather conditions created by Hurricane Matthew.

Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet L.A. was among the first to report Major League Baseball’s decision. David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports confirmed that Game 2 is now scheduled to start at 1:08 p.m. ET Sunday afternoon in Washington.

The Dodgers tweeted a photo of the scene at Nationals Park as the grounds crew tended to the field in an effort to ensure it is playable for Sunday:

Los Angeles took a 1-0 lead in the series Friday with a 4-3 victory in which Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw outdueled Washington’s Max Scherzer.

The expected pitching matchup for Game 2 will pit L.A.’s Rich Hill against Nats righty Tanner Roark.

Hurricane Matthew’s impact has been felt throughout the sports world in recent days, as a number of college football games were postponed Saturday, including a clash between Florida and LSU.

Per ESPN.com’s Doug Padilla, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred added that Game 3 of the series remains scheduled for Monday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

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Following the AL and NL Wild Card wins by the Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants, respectively, the MLB playoff bracket is officially set, and both the ALDS and NLDS are about to kick off and begin the road to the World Series.

There are intriguing matchups galore on both sides of the bracket, such as the continuation of the rivalry between the Blue Jays and Texas Rangers, as well as Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona facing his former team in the Boston Red Sox. Also, the favored Chicago Cubs will look to hold off a Giants team that is seemingly unbeatable in October.

The 2016 MLB playoffs have already been filled with drama, and they have all the makings of a classic postseason. Before the start of the ALDS and NLDS, here is a look at the full bracket and predictions for how each series will play out.

MLB Playoff Bracket (via MLB Network)

Blue Jays vs. Rangers

There is no shortage of history and bad blood between the Blue Jays and Rangers, dating back to last year’s ALDS when Toronto outfielder Jose Bautista’s bat flip after a key home run in Game 5 led to a war of words and dust-up between the two teams.

That carried over to the 2016 regular season when Bautista and Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor fought after Bautista slid hard into the bag, as seen in this photo courtesy of SportsCenter:

Despite the obvious issues between the teams, Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre insisted the Blue Jays don’t get under Texas’ skin and that the main focus is to simply beat Toronto and advance to the ALCS, according to Scott MacArthur of TSN:

They don’t frustrate us. I don’t care how other people or teams act. Our job is to find a way to beat them. That’s the bottom line. They’re a really good team, there’s no doubt about that but I don’t think we care about how they act and the swagger they have.

I think sometimes we go back to it because you guys ask and you guys make a big deal out of it. These guys over here, obviously we know what happened. There’s no denying that. There was an altercation. It’s in the past and our job is to make sure all those guys in the clubhouse are thinking about finding a way to beat those guys.

While the Rangers came close to knocking off the Blue Jays last season, they may be even better equipped to do so this year.

Toronto boasts a remarkable lineup headlined by Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Josh Donaldson, but Texas has as good of a one-two pitching punch as anyone in the playoffs with Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish.

Darvish wasn’t available for the Rangers last postseason, but he could be the X-factor this time around, especially since he may pitch two games should it go the distance.

Great pitching tends to beat great hitting in the playoffs, which is why the Rangers have the advantage and will reach the ALCS.

Red Sox vs. Indians

The Indians once appeared built to make a run to the World Series, but due to key injuries in their starting rotation, they enter their series with the Red Sox as underdogs.

Neither Carlos Carrasco nor Danny Salazar are available due to injury, which shifts the pressure toward Trevor Bauer and Corey Kluber to carry the team on their backs from a pitching perspective.

Bauer will be the Game 1 starter, and Francona believes the former reliever is very much up to the task, according to MLB.com’s Jason Beck:

Kluber is the undisputed ace of our staff. Everybody knows what he’s been through, and it’s easier for him to pitch in Game 2. I don’t think anybody has any trepidation about letting Trevor pitch in Game 1. I think he’s been waiting for this his whole life. And we also think he can bounce back and pitch on short rest and do just fine.

Bauer struggled after the All-Star break and had an ERA of 6.39 in September and October. He has also been dominated by the Red Sox over the course of his career, going 0-2 with a 12.91 ERA in two starts and three appearances overall.

Unless Cleveland manages to sweep the Red Sox, it will most likely need Bauer to pitch twice, which doesn’t seem to be a recipe for success against Boston’s dominant lineup.

The Red Sox wear out pitchers with the likes of David Ortiz, Mookie Betts, Hanley Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts, and their merciless approach at the plate will take them one step closer to the World Series.

Giants vs. Cubs

The Giants and Cubs will essentially be a clash of opposites, as San Francisco has won three World Series since 2010, while Chicago hasn’t done so since 1908.

Although the Cubbies were Major League Baseball’s best team during the regular season and enter the playoffs as the prohibitive favorites to win it all, there is reason for concern regarding the Giants’ recent history of playoff success.

As pointed out by Jim Rome of CBS Sports Radio, San Francisco has a penchant for coming through on the biggest stage:

Even so, the Cubs may have an advantage due to the fact that the Giants had to use ace Madison Bumgarner in the NL Wild Card Game. That means he won’t be available for Game 1 of the NLDS.

The Cubs have great pitching in their own right with a rotation that features Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks and John Lackey. That type of depth is hard to come by, and it ensures that Chicago will have a legitimate chance to win every game.

In addition to that, Cubs pitching handled Giants hitting without much of an issue during the regular season, per MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat:

The Cubs also have a clear advantage in terms of their lineup, as big hitters such as Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell come at opposing pitchers in waves.

Chicago is the definition of a complete team, and even though the Giants have postseason magic on their side, it won’t be enough to overcome the Cubs’ top-to-bottom excellence.

Dodgers vs. Nationals

The NLDS between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals is perhaps the most overlooked series of the playoffs, but everything is in place to make a highly competitive affair that could go the distance.

With Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer set to clash in Game 1, pitching will undoubtedly be the talk of the series. As pointed out by Eric Stephen of True Blue LA, no two pitching staffs dominated opposing hitters more than L.A. and Washington during the regular season:

Both teams are fairly evenly matched in the pitching department, but the depth of the Nats lineup is what could set them apart and decide the series.

The loss of catcher Wilson Ramos due to injury hurts, but Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy, Anthony Rendon and Trea Turner are a tough run of hitters to handle, even for a rotation as solid as what the Dodgers boast.

Murphy essentially put the Mets offense on his back last postseason and carried them to the World Series, and while a repeat performance isn’t likely, look for his heroics to be the biggest difference in a Washington win.

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