NLCS Game Two, 2016

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Dodgers at Cubs, 5:00PM PT, TV: FS1

The Dodgers once again ask LHP Clayton Kershaw (12-4, 1.69 ERA) to pull their bacon out of the fire or stop the bleeding or pick your cliché. He’s pitching on regular rest from his last start, as long as you don’t count his bullpen heroics in Game Five of the NLDS against him. He’ll face RHP Kyle Hendricks (16-8, 2.13 ERA). Hendricks finished up strongly, going 7-1 with a 1.72 ERA in his last 11 starts. Like Lester, he’s been his best at Wrigley Field (9-2, 1.32). We know what Kershaw’s done, although his strikeout to walk ratio is still startling: he struck out 172 hitters while walking only 11 (one intentionally). That is a 15.6-1 ratio.

The visitors always want to steal a game in the other team’s home park. The Dodgers had a shot at it last night but failed. They’re hoping they can do it tonight.

Interesting note: the Cubs didn’t face any of the Dodgers’ three most likely starting pitchers in this series during the regular season. Kershaw faced them twice in 2015, beating him at Wrigley and losing at Dodger Stadium.

Lineup:

230 thoughts on “NLCS Game Two, 2016”

  12. Kenley has definitely redeemed himself from that blowout inning . . . and raising his free agency stock.

  13. We are still way under the posts from Thursday.
    Does that mean that RBI’s WAR-equivalent is 500?

  14. Magnificent! (You all are tougher than I am. I retired to my office to do some work and followed the bottom of the 9th on Gameday. Now I can go watch it on tape.)

    • The “small ball” and speed of last year’s Royals is a missing factor, tho Dave has tried to make things happen.

  32. Maybe the bats will be found the next time they come up — hopefully in LA, with the series tied.

    • Except Sandy probably went the complete game (without the playoff games, of course).

  38. Maybe Urias should have done his side pitching on the mound for one inning tonight. Then we could have had a fresh KJ for the 9th.

  39. Bats, I ask you. I implore you. I beg you — get another run!
    Pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaaasssssseeeeee?

    • Agree.
      I’d settle for just another one. (I think — depends on if they squander a chance for more!)

  52. Baez for bottom of the order in the 8th, and Kenley for the top of the order in the 9th?

  75. Dodger pitchers have not had as good of an inning as they were previously pitching after they run the bases.

  119. Dodgers hit the ball hard yesterday and many of the hard hit balls just were too close to a glove. I thought they played well. Blanton was tired. Surprised he didn’t waste a pitch with an 0 – 2 count before the grand slam pitch.

    I would rather Kershaw pitch Tuesday in LA. I would have liked for Stewart to be on the team and start today.

    Now that I got that out of the way I am ready for Dodger baseball.