Dodgers: Breaking down the Cubs vs. Dodgers match up in the NLCS

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PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 09: Cody Bellinger (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Positioned players:

Los Angeles Dodgers:

The biggest question heading into the MLB Postseason was whether or not the Dodgers were going to be able to hit. Los Angeles’ bats slumped for half of September before really picking it up at the end of the season. This inconsistency raised concerns.

The Dodgers proved that they can hit by dropping 20 runs on a good Diamondbacks pitching staff in three games played.

Yasiel Puig played a big part in this offensive onslaught, as he brought drove in five runs on five hits in 11 at-bats. Justin Turner was his typical self in the NLDS, going six for 13 with a home run and five RBIs.

Cody Bellinger was the hero of game three, as his solo shot played pivotal in the Dodgers’ win alongside his nice glove play. Don’t forget, Corey Seager is still in the mix and key bats such as Chris Taylor, Austin Barnes and Logan Forsythe are heating up. Defensively, the Dodgers were the third-best in NL with a 24.5 def rating.

Chicago Cubs:

The Cubs do not have the same offense as they did last season, but they are extremely dangerous. Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant are two of the best hitters to play the game, so that punch alone is dangerous for opposing pitchers.

For the first four games of the NLDS, the Cubs bats were quiet. Although they did win two games, the Cubs failed to score more than three runs until game five, where they defeated the Nationals nine to eight.

Addison Russell had the biggest day for the Cubs in game five, driving in four runs on two hits in four at-bats. The rest of the offense drove in three runs, with two of the nine runs being unearned.

While the Dodgers certainly do know the kind of power that the Cubs bring to the plate, the NLDS proved that good pitching shuts them down. Los Angeles thrived against good pitching with situational hitting, the Cubs, not so much. On their best day, the Cubs may be the best in baseball offensively. However, those best days come few and far between.

Advantage: Los Angeles Dodgers

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