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The 2016 Major League Baseball playoffs are nearing an end, and the Chicago Cubs are seeking to clinch their first World Series berth since 1945 with a victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series on Saturday. 

The Cubs are on the cusp of fulfilling the promise they showed during the regular season when they won an MLB-best 103 games, though they will have to do something no one has been able to do this postseason: beat the Dodgers in a game started by Clayton Kershaw.

Fortunately, the Cubs have the luxury of playing at home in front of what’s sure to be a raucous and passionate crowd in Wrigley Field and the knowledge they have two chances to win one game. 

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Indians sucked some drama from the American League by reaching the World Series with a 7-1 combined record against the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. They wrapped up the AL title on Wednesday, giving them five days to rest before hosting the Fall Classic on Tuesday. 

Before moving ahead, let’s look back at how the three teams still playing for a championship have arrived at this point. 

LCS Results

Cleveland’s Unique Path

It’s fitting that this Cleveland team has overcome injuries and adversity in October because the season started with significant questions about the offense as a result of All-Star outfielder Michael Brantley’s shoulder. 

Brantley was limited to 11 games during the regular season before his shoulder flared up, requiring another surgical procedure in August.

September looked like a nightmare month for the Indians, despite them never losing their grip on first place in the American League Central. Danny Salazar’s arm flared up, and he hasn’t pitched since September 9. Carlos Carrasco’s season ended on September 17 due to a broken pinkie following a liner off the bat of Ian Kinsler. 

Yet that September 17 game helped set the stage for what MLB fans saw in Game 3 of the ALCS. On that day against the Detroit Tigers, eight relievers combined for 10 shutout innings in a 1-0 win. 

Trevor Bauer was forced out of Game 3 against the Blue Jays after recording two outs due to the stitches breaking on his pinkie. Manager Terry Francona used six pitchers to get the final 25 outs in a 4-2 win for a commanding 3-0 series lead. 

Cleveland made history in that game, with ESPN’s Cristian Moreno providing this statistical nugget:

While Cleveland’s entire relief corps has opened a lot of eyes this postseason, the unit is being led by the dominating effort of ALCS MVP Andrew Miller. 

Richard Justice of MLB.com provided Miller’s final stat line from the ALCS:

Because of the injuries to the Indians’ rotation, Francona has often relied on Miller and Cody Allen to record nine outs this postseason. 

Per Jared Carrabis of Barstool Sports, the combined numbers for Miller and Allen in eight playoff games for the Indians have been incredible:

They have needed the pitching staff to be that good because the lineup isn’t putting up gaudy numbers. In five games against the Blue Jays, Cleveland’s offense scored 12 runs on 25 hits, and seven of those runs came on six homers.

It’s easy to get away with little offensive production when the pitching staff has three shutouts in eight games, but the Indians will likely need more of a spark with the bat if they hope to capture the franchise’s first World Series since 1948. 

Of course, if Miller and Allen remain unhittable, the Indians could keep doing exactly what they have done through two playoff series. 

Dodgers vs. Cubs

The story of this year’s NLCS boils down to what the Cubs have done against Dodgers pitchers not named Kershaw, Rich Hill and Kenley Jansen. 

Los Angeles’ Big Three has combined to allow five hits, three walks, no runs with 18 strikeouts in 16.1 innings this series. In three games the Dodgers have lost thus far, their pitching staff has given up 35 hits and 26 runs. 

Kershaw continues to change the (ludicrous) narrative about his inability to pitch in the postseason based on what he was able to do against the Cubs in Game 2.

Unfortunately for Kershaw, because the Dodgers are staring elimination in the face, no one will remember that brilliant effort if he doesn’t duplicate it on Saturday night. 

When the Cubs went down 2-1, there was talk of an offensive slump that were nearly as ludicrous as those previous narratives about Kershaw. Everything gets heightened in the postseason, but judging baseball teams on any two-game stretch is insane because it’s a game built on peaks and valleys. 

Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com also helped illustrate why the Cubs were unable to hit in Games 2 and 3:

They didn’t hit against Kershaw and Hill because no one hits against that duo. That’s not an exaggeration, as both left-handers hold opponents to a sub-.200 batting average, per FanGraphs.

The Cubs aren’t lacking in the pitching department. Jon Lester gave them the edge in the series with seven brilliant innings of work in Game 5, in which he allowed five hits and one run with six strikeouts. 

Of course, as noted by Christopher Kamka of Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Thursday’s outing from Lester has been par for the course since the All-Star break:

The Dodgers don’t figure to see Lester again in this series, though Cubs manager Joe Maddon could opt for an all-hands-on-deck approach if it goes to a seventh game on Sunday. 

Kyle Hendricks will start Game 6, with Jake Arrieta ready for Game 7 if necessary. Hendricks was the hard-luck loser against Kershaw in Game 2, with his only mistake in 5.1 innings being a solo homer from Adrian Gonzalez. 

Hendricks didn’t look sharp in that outing with four walks, but he worked around them by allowing just three hits and striking out five. 

One thing that works to the Dodgers’ advantage is they don’t have to face a left-handed starter. Their team OPS was 150 points higher against right-handed pitching (.772) than left-handed pitching (.622) this season, per Baseball-Reference.com. 

With Kershaw on the mound in Game 6, the Dodgers don’t have to light up the scoreboard to keep their season alive. They just need to find a way put the Cubs in an early hole that leaves them searching for runs against the best pitcher in baseball. 

Odds are firmly in the Cubs’ favor right now, but the Dodgers’ pitching lines up perfectly to give them a shot at challenging Cleveland for the World Series. 

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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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The odds may still be with the Chicago Cubs to advance to their first World Series since 1945, but they are listed as small home underdogs Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers for Game 6 of the NLCS at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark.

That’s what happens when facing a three-time Cy Young Award winner who has turned things around in the postseason and blanked the Cubs for seven innings in a Game 2 victory.

Los Angeles ace Clayton Kershaw (2-0, 3.72 ERA in the playoffs) allowed only two hits at Chicago in his most recent start there last Sunday, walking one and striking out six. The Dodgers have won every game in which he has appeared, including a relief appearance resulting in a save in the deciding Game 5 of the NLDS versus the Washington Nationals.

Kershaw (game log) did not face the Cubs during the regular season but was 5-3 with a 2.18 ERA in eight previous starts, as they hit just .218 against him and struck out 68 times in 53.2 innings.

Meanwhile, Chicago will send MLB ERA leader Kyle Hendricks (0-1, 3.00 ERA in the playoffs) to the mound for the second time in the series, as he also opposed Kershaw in Game 2. Hendricks allowed only an Adrian Gonzalez solo homer in that 1-0 loss along with two other hits over 5.1 innings with four walks and five strikeouts.

Hendricks (game log) was nearly perfect at Wrigley Field during the regular season, going 9-2 with a 1.32 ERA in 15 appearances.

The key for the Cubs will obviously be hitting and generating runs, as they have failed to score in their two losses and outscored Los Angeles 26-10 in their three wins. For the Dodgers, they will need to hold Chicago’s bats in check and leave the pressure on their opponent, who has not won a World Series since 1908.

The Cubs won four of the seven regular-season meetings, according to the Odds Shark MLB Database, and dropped four of seven the year before. They are hoping it does not come down to a deciding Game 7 on Sunday like it did when they were last in this position back in 2003 and lost.

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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.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.

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The Cleveland Indians are in the World Series, but they will have to keep waiting patiently to see which team they will face in the upcoming round.

While the Chicago Cubs earned a 3-2 advantage in the National League Championship Series thanks to their 8-4 Game 5 victory, the Los Angeles Dodgers still have an opportunity to win the next two games and earn a spot in the World Series.

Regardless of who survives the NLCS, fans should be treated to an outstanding final round between two great teams. Here is what to expect no matter who advances.

Indians vs. Dodgers

There are a lot of similarities between these two teams, most notably when it comes to pitching. While plenty of squads around the league have their set starters in a rotation followed by developed bullpen roles, the Indians and Dodgers don’t adhere to that plan.

Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts was forced to get creative in Game 5 of the NLDS against the Washington Nationals, using closer Kenley Jansen in the seventh inning before starter Clayton Kershaw closed the game on one day’s rest.

The team was forced to react to a handful of pitching injuries during the year and it is now capable of handling adversity to the staff.

Of course, the Indians know all about injuries to the rotation after losing Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar and, most recently, Trevor Bauer to various injuries. Manager Terry Francona explained how this transformed his strategy in the postseason.

“When you lose two pitchers like that late, I’m not sure you can move on conventionally and cover that,” Francona said, per Ben Reiter of Sports Illustrated. “So we’ve tried to not feel sorry for ourselves and figure out, okay…how do we win four games before they do?”

Francona was forced to be more aggressive than usual, but it worked out for him, as noted by Richard Justice of MLB.com:

Andrew Miller and Cody Allen have been nearly flawless in the postseason, and this duo is capable of stealing a win or two against a Dodgers lineup that can be inconsistent. With Corey Kluber also playing outstanding baseball with a 0.98 ERA in three starts, this pitching staff should once again be able keep the Indians winning.

On the other side, the Dodgers will still be recovering from what will have to be a seven-game series against the Cubs, meaning the rotation will not be ideal. Kershaw is as good as any starter in baseball, but he won’t be available for Game 1.

While an extended break sometimes hurts teams, Cleveland has a good enough lineup to beat the Los Angeles pitching and come through with a solid performance to win its first World Series since 1948. 

Prediction: Indians 4, Dodgers 2 

Indians vs. Cubs 

Both fan bases think these teams are following destiny to win a title, but only one of them will be left standing at the end.

While the Indians have been able to get by thanks to their bullpen, there are serious questions about the rotation behind Kluber. Josh Tomlin is inconsistent and it’s tough to know what you will get out of Ryan Merritt. While the rookie did pitch 4.1 shutout innings against the Toronto Blue Jays, it will be tougher against the Cubs in the World Series.

What Chicago has going for it is the depth of elite players both in the pitching staff and in the lineup. The hitters went cold for a couple of games during the NLCS, but key players have bounced back at the right time.

Kris Bryant is the likely National League MVP, but players like Addison Russell and Javier Baez are the ones turning heads in the postseason. Jayson Stark of ESPN.com praised the second baseman during Game 5:

With Anthony Rizzo also turning things around over the last two games, there should be a lot of confidence in this lineup.

Additionally, the starting rotation keeps coming at you with Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks, Jon Lester and even John Lackey. The last two are especially valuable thanks to their postseason experience.

Francisco Lindor, Jason Kipnis and others are capable of a big game here or there, but facing top talent on the mound each game is a problem. The Indians are hitting just .208 as a team in the postseason and the Cubs pitchers will make sure those bats don’t come alive.

Cleveland’s bullpen still has a clear advantage and once again Kluber has been lights out, although this won’t be enough to stop the Cubs from winning their first title since 1908.

Prediction: Cubs 4, Indians 3

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter.

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After erupting offensively in the last two games, the Chicago Cubs took a 3-2 series lead Thursday night over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2016 National League Championship Series with the thrilling matchup set to return to Wrigley Field this weekend.

The Cleveland Indians are awaiting in the World Series, as they will host the opening two games with a fearsome bullpen that appears ready to lift this team to a championship. Yet, the Cubs and Dodgers must focus on pulling out their current series before worrying about Andrew Miller and company in the next round.

Let us take a look at the remaining NLCS television and live-stream schedule, as well as a breakdown of what lies ahead in Game 6.

A full MLB playoff bracket can be found at MLB.com. 

Game 6 Preview

Despite dropping two straight games earlier in this series without scoring a run, Chicago seems to have broken out of its offensive slump with 18 runs in the last two games.

The emergence of Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell is a big reason why. After coming into Game 4 with one hit in 26 at-bats, Rizzo is 5-for-10 with four RBI in his last two games. Russell entered Game 4 with one hit in 24 at-bats before exploding for 5-for-10 with four RBI as well in his previous two outings.

With a critical Game 5 on the line, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts decided to tab rookie Kenta Maeda, which did not turn out great as the starter went only 3.2 innings and allowed a run. This was Maeda‘s second loss of the series. However, Los Angeles has plenty of reason to be confident for a possible Game 7 with the proposition of Clayton Kershaw taking the mound on Saturday.

He will be coming off full rest from his last start in Game 2, where he went 7.2 innings with two hits and no runs allowed at Wrigley Field. This seems to be OK with the 28-year-old star, per the Los Angeles Times‘ Andy McCullough:

Before Game 5, Chicago manager Joe Maddon seemed to recognize the immense challenge his lineup faces, per Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News:

When [Kershaw]’s pitching well, he’s just that good. There is that certain set of pitchers that are that guy, and the confidence he brings to their group. There is no question about that. But at this time of the year, if you wanted to get to your ultimate goal, you have to beat people like that. You have to.

There’s always been that group of pitchers through history that pitched a lot in the postseason because they’re very good. And he’s one of them.

The lefty possesses a commanding fastball and a slew of other pitches that keep batters off balance. Yet, the Cubs were one of the better clubs in baseball against left-handed pitching, ranking seventh with a .267 team average. However, that mark has dropped dramatically in the postseason, where Chicago is hitting .170 as a team.

Kyle Hendricks is set to take the hill for the home team after a regular season in which he led the majors with a 2.13 ERA. He has been solid this postseason with three runs allowed in 9.0 innings, but Hendricks lost his Game 2 start to Kershaw.

Yet, the 26-year-old has been historically good against this Dodgers roster, as all current players are hitting a combined .195 against Hendricks for their careers. Although there is not a huge sample size, Hendricks has been stout against Los Angeles’ top bats:

This game looks to be a low-scoring affair similar to the 1-0 Dodgers win in Game 2. The Cubs have a slight advantage in this one simply because they are at home, where they sported MLB’s top home record this season with a stout 57-24 mark. Still, Kershaw was unfazed by this in Game 2, handing Chicago its first home loss of the playoffs.

Los Angeles’ suddenly dormant lineup could be the difference. The Dodgers have combined for a pedestrian six runs and 13 hits in the last two games, and the team is batting .224 in the postseason. Given that the club struggled on the road this season with a 38-43 record, it is tough to believe it can pull out a win on Saturday despite Kershaw‘s brilliance.

Statistics are courtesy of MLB.com.

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The 2016 Major League Baseball postseason has featured studs, duds and everything in between.

But since nobody cares about that last part, this discussion shall focus strictly on the first two.

With the World Series set to start Tuesday, there are sizable lists of good and bad postseason performances to choose from. We’re going to narrow things down to a half-dozen each by focusing on stars who have either lived up to or fallen short of expectations. But here’s a spoiler warning that you didn’t hear from me: There might be a couple of players to a slide here and there.

In no particular order, we’ll begin with a stud and then alternate studs and duds until the end.

Begin Slideshow

As the Cleveland Indians await the winner of the National League Championship Series between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers, the 2016 World Series picture is starting to come into focus before Game 1 on October 25. 

The Indians secured their spot in the Fall Classic by defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in five games during the American League Championship Series. Andrew Miller was named MVP of the series, but Ryan Merritt’s heroics in Game 5 set up the big left-hander to get the ball to closer Cody Allen in the ninth inning. 

The Cubs offense had its breakout game against the Dodgers in Game 4 on Wednesday and will look to take control of the series on the back of Jon Lester, who has allowed nine hits and one run in 14 innings this postseason. 

World Series Schedule

World Series Odds

Prediction

One of the things that makes sports predictions such an interesting source of discussion is the use of logic and reason with something that often defies both. 

For instance, there’s no way to explain how the Indians have made it this far. They were supposed to be eliminated in the division series by the Boston Red Sox because their starting rotation was a shell of its former self due to injuries sustained by Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco. 

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote September 17—the day Carrasco’s pinky was broken on a liner hit by Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler—the Indians’ postseason dreams ended before they began:

Along with Corey Kluber, Carrasco and Salazar are the heart of the rotation. Carrasco and Salazar have had star-crossed seasons to be sure. They’ve each missed a month to injuries, but they still combined for 22 wins, 50 starts and just over 283 innings.

The Indians have no one of equal caliber to replace them.

Headed into the best-of-five AL Division Series, it’s going to be Kluber and Trevor Bauer. The other two starters are Josh Tomlin and rookie Mike Clevinger. That’s reality and that means a quick exit in the postseason.

No one gave the Indians that memo because their entire pitching staff has recorded three shutouts in eight playoff games, including a 3-0 victory over the Blue Jays in the ALCS clincher. 

Somehow, what was overlooked coming into the postseason was how well Cleveland manager Terry Francona utilizes his bullpen and how deep that group is. 

Miller got all of the accolades for what he did against Boston and Toronto, but Richard Justice of MLB.com noted Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen have been really good too:

Since the Indians were able to clinch early, they get to line up Kluber for Game 1. Bauer’s pinky once again takes center stage, casting doubt over his ability to make at least one start in the series. 

For Cleveland fans, the best-case scenario in the NLCS would be the Cubs and Dodgers going seven games with the Dodgers winning. That would presumably push Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill back to start Games 2 and 3. 

The Cubs, who showed they do have weaknesses by not hitting in two games against Kershaw and Hill, bounced back with 10 runs in Game 4 of the NLCS. 

Just as encouraging as the deluge of runs was for Cubs fans, ESPN Stats & Info noted why it was particularly sweet for Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell when they hit their homers:

While Chicago will always panic when the Cubs don’t look good for a couple of games—ignoring the fact that those games were against the best pitcher in baseball and another guy who had a 2.12 ERA in 20 starts this season—they are still the best and deepest team in baseball. 

Even when the Cubs are in an offensive funk, Lester and Kyle Hendricks have combined to allow four runs in 23 innings this postseason. Their defense has never wavered from the historically great regular-season numbers they put up, per ESPN’s Sam Miller:

The Cubs — a team with only one Gold Glove winner on the roster, a team that shifts less than any in baseball — are better than any other club at converting ground balls into outs (80.1 percent), the best at converting fly balls into outs (94.1 percent) and the best at converting line drives into outs (43.5 percent). They do this despite allowing an exit velocity that is almost exactly league average, and an exit velocity on grounders that is harder than league average. 

No team in Major League Baseball this season had as many ways to beat an opponent as the Cubs. They will be favored over the Indians if they can get past the Dodgers and should be. It’s hard to win 103 games during the regular season by accident. 

Forget all the talk about goats and curses in Chicago. This is a franchise that’s become the model in MLB because of its young position player talent and the incredible wealth of options for manager Joe Maddon to choose from off his bench and on the pitching staff. 

The Indians’ run so far in the postseason has been wondrous to behold because of how unique it is. Since the Cleveland Cavaliers pulled off a historic comeback against the Golden State Warriors, these last four months have breathed new life into a city so often beaten down by its sports teams. 

Eventually, you would assume, Cleveland’s patchwork pitching rotation will run out of steam, negating the work of Miller and Allen in the middle and late innings. 

It’s certainly not impossible to win a World Series on the back of a bullpen—the 2015 Kansas City Royals did it—but it’s awfully hard, especially if the team on the other side of the field is the Cubs. 

Prediction: Cubs win World Series in six games

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Things are all knotted up at two games apiece between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers in their National League Championship Series clash, following a much-needed victory from the Cubs on Wednesday night.

It’s now a best-of-three battle the rest of the way for the right to represent the NL against the AL champion Cleveland Indians in the World Series.

After a thrilling late-game victory in Game 1, the Cubs were shut out in Games 2 and 3, with their scoreless-inning streak running all the way to 21 innings before they finally plated a run in the fourth inning of Game 4.

The floodgates opened from there, and the Cubs walked away with a 10-2 victory as they looked to swing the momentum back in their favor.

Both teams will now go back to their Game 1 starters, as left-hander Jon Lester (19-5, 2.44 ERA, 197 K) takes the ball for the Cubs and right-hander Kenta Maeda (16-11, 3.48 ERA, 179 K) gets the start for the Dodgers.

Who will come out on top in the pivotal Game 5 of this NLCS matchup?

Keep it right here for live updates on all of Thursday’s action, and for further MLB analysis, be sure to follow me on Twitter, @JoelReuterBR.

FINAL SCORE: Cubs 8, Dodgers 4

Top 1: Anthony Rizzo RBI double (1-0)

Bot 4: Adrian Gonzalez RBI groundout (1-1)

Top 6: Addison Russell 2-run home run (3-1)

Top 8: Dexter Fowler RBI single (4-1)

Top 8: Kris Bryant RBI single (5-1)

Top 8: Javy Baez 3-run double (8-1)

Bot 8: Carlos Ruiz RBI double (8-2)

Bot 9: Josh Reddick RBI single (8-3)

Bot 9: Andrew Toles sac fly (8-4)

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At the beginning of the postseason, I predicted that the Chicago Cubs would win the World Series this year and end the organization’s famous title drought. I’m sticking to my guns, folks. 

Sure, I also predicted that they would ultimately beat the Boston Red Sox to do so. Instead, if the Cubs reach the World Series, they’ll have to contend with Cleveland, which has gone 7-1 in the postseason and dispatched two of baseball’s most dangerous offenses, the Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays.

Below, we’ll take a look at the remaining schedule 

Finally, it happened. Finally, the Cubs offense awoke.

After being shut out in the last two NLCS games, the Cubs exploded in a 10-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night. Perhaps more importantly, the slumping Addison Russell and Anthony Rizzo each homered and combined to go 6-for-10 with five RBI and four runs scored between them.

“This is a big win, for sure,” Rizzo said after the game, per Ken Gurnick and Carrie Muskat of MLB.com. “To even up the series, we have a chance to take another one here [Thursday] and go home with a 3-2 lead. In a way, this is just one game and we know it’s going to be a quick turnaround, but this was definitely a big game for us.”

Added Ben Zobrist: “We know our offense is too good to keep down for a long time. Hopefully, tonight is an indication of what’s to come.”

If nothing else, the win guarantees the series will return to Chicago for at least one game, where the Cubs were an MLB-best 57-24 during the regular season. The Dodgers will be hoping that Kenta Maeda can pitch them to a Game 5 win, setting them up to wrap up the series with Clayton Kershaw in Game 6.

Game 5, then, is crucial for the Cubs. Heading into an elimination game against Kershaw is hardly ideal. Win, however, and the Cubs get two cracks at advancing at home. Look for this series to go the full seven games but the Cubs moving one step closer to ending their championship drought.

While the Cubs perhaps turned the NLCS around, Cleveland booked its berth in the Fall Classic:

Cleveland has won behind a pitching staff that has posted a remarkable 1.77 ERA with 81 strikeouts over 71 innings. Opposing hitters have posted a meager .206 batting average against the Tribe, and starter Corey Kluber (2-1 with a 0.89 ERA and 1.09 WHIP), reliever extraordinaire Andrew Miller (21 strikeouts in 11.2 innings, no earned runs allowed, 0.60 WHIP) and closer Cody Allen (five saves, no earned runs, 1.04 WHIP) have been borderline unhittable.

Despite that fact, the team will likely continue to be overshadowed by their gaudier NL counterparts. That doesn’t seem to bother the Tribe much, as Jerry Crasnick of ESPN wrote:

As the Cleveland players and coaches doused each other with cold beverages and filled the clubhouse air with stale cigar smoke Wednesday evening, talk inevitably turned to what comes next in the aftermath of their American League Championship Series victory against Toronto. When it was suggested to second baseman Jason Kipnis that the Indians have more talent than their reputation suggests and all the “gritty gamer” talk is mere sandbagging, he took it as a personal affront. Kipnis turned to pitcher Josh Tomlin and disputed the notion that some Cleveland players might actually be good.

“I’m hitting [.167] in the postseason, and he can’t touch 90 miles an hour,” Kipnis said of Tomlin. “I don’t know what talent you’re talking about. We’re grinders. If you want guys who run fast and throw hard and can’t play the game, go find them. We’ve got baseball players on this team. We’ve got 25 guys who compete in between the lines and are having a blast doing it next to each other.”

In other words, the Tribe have embraced the underdog role. And why not? Playing baseball their way helped them roll the Red Sox and Blue Jays. Why change now?

Of course, timely hitting and excellent pitching is always a recipe for success in the postseason. The Cubs certainly experienced that fact in Games 2 and 3 of the NLCS. The Tribe earned a World Series berth due to that combination.

The Cubs, from top to bottom, are still the most talented team in this postseason. On paper, they’ll win the World Series. On the field, I believe they’ll do the same. But the Dodgers and the Tribe will certainly have something to say about that.

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.

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