Let’s start with this: The NLCS is far from over.
Sure, at the moment this Cubs' offense look more like the 2012 club that lost 101 games than the 2016 version that won 103 games. Sure, they haven’t scored a run in their past 18 innings and they only have six hits in that stretch.
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But it’s not over.
The Dodgers know that, though they have to be pretty happy with a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series after their 6-0 win Tuesday. They have the lead largely because of the efforts of two left-handed starters, Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill — and from right-handed closer Kenley Jansen.
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Kershaw held the Cubs to two hits over seven shutout innings in LA’s Game 2 win. Hill held the Cubs to two hits over six innings in the Game 3 win. And remember, the Cubs were shut down by Giants lefty Matt Moore in Game 4 of the NLDS, too — he struck out 10 and gave up just two hits in eight innings.
Joe Maddon: "We're not hitting the ball hard. They're pitching well. No solid explanation. We have to pick it up quickly."
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) October 19, 2016
Chicago’s trouble with lefties is a bit surprising. During the regular season, the Cubs hit .267 with an .807 OPS against left-handers, as opposed to .252 with a .759 OPS against right-handed pitchers. Among the NL teams, only the Diamondbacks (.276 average, .820 OPS) had better numbers vs. lefties this year.
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But let’s take a look at what the Cubs have done vs. lefties so far this postseason:
They have just 17 hits in 112 at-bats vs. them. That’s a .152 average. Of those 17 hits, Chicago just three are doubles and two are homers. The other dozen hits have been singles.
Oh, and the Dodgers are starting lefty Julio Urias in Game 4 on Wednesday. Sure, he’s just a 20-year-old rookie, but he was pretty darn good when he faced the Cubs at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 27. He pitched six innings, allowed six hits and one run, and struck out eight
And then, the Dodgers could conceivably go back to Kershaw for Game 5.
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That’s not a bad position for the Dodgers to be in, eh?
We’ve talked about this before . Over a long period of time, the Cubs’ hitters would absolutely revert toward their normal performances, which are All-Star-caliber across the board. But the playoffs are a series of small-sample-size competitions, and if the Cubs lose two more of these competitions, their season is done.
Joe: "Put in the wastebasket and come back tomorrow."
— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) October 19, 2016
This series is far from over.
