Dodgers: Breaking down the Cubs vs. Dodgers match up in the NLCS
By Jason Reed
The Chicago Cubs defeated the Washington Nationals in five games to move to the NLCS; where the 104-win Dodgers are waiting for revenge.
One year ago the Los Angeles Dodgers squared off against the Chicago Cubs in the 2016 NLCS. The 103-win Cubs were the heavy favorites, as 2016 was primed to be the year that broke the infamous 1908 curse. Like many expected, the Cubs wiped the Dodgers out in six games to continue their fairytale run.
This year, the tides have changed and the roles have reversed.
This season, the Dodgers are the heavy favorites. Los Angeles won 104 games this season, one more than the Cubs won last year. Chicago, on the other hand, won 92 games this year, one more than the Dodgers last season. Los Angeles owns the home field, the ball is in the Dodgers’ court this season, and unlike 2016, this seems to be their year.
For Dodger fans, this series may bring some anxiety. Last season, Los Angeles did the unthinkable and shut out the champions in two consecutive games. With a 2-1 series lead, Los Angeles had to win just two more games to advance to their first World Series since 1988. They did not win a single game following the 2-1 lead.
Chicago stormed back to take the series in six games. The entire momentum of the series shifted in a home plate review to determine if Adrian Gonzalez was safe. The call (which was out and could not be overturned) took a run off the board and halted the Dodgers momentum.
However, the past is in the past and the 2017 Dodgers look to do what the 2016 Dodgers couldn’t: defeat the Chicago Cubs. Let’s dive in and look at how these teams match up on paper this go around.