Preview: Cubs at Dodgers
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[October 18, 2016]
Adrian Gonzalez and the Los
Angeles Dodgers are aiming to continue Chicago's longstanding
postseason woes, and have a chance to take a 2-1 lead when they host
the Cubs on Tuesday in Game 3 of the National League Championship
Series. The Dodgers have the luxury of playing three straight games
at home after splitting two in Chicago, with the 1-0 win in Game 2
coming courtesy of strong pitching and a home run from Gonzalez.
The Los Angeles first baseman has driven in three of his squad's
five runs in the series and manager Dave Roberts said the veteran's
production is sometimes taken for granted. "He's one of the leaders
on this club, and gets overlooked a lot because of his consistency,
but certainly not in our clubhouse," Roberts said at Monday's press
conference. "The value of a guy who posts every night regardless of
the handedness of a pitcher or the spot, so, yeah, Adrian's been a
huge lift to us. The consistent at-bats, and the big hits when we
need them." Chicago attempts to regain the series lead behind
right-hander Jake Arrieta, who pitched seven innings of two-hit
scoreless ball in a no-decision against the Dodgers on May 31. Cubs
second baseman Javier Baez is 3-for-7 in the NLCS and has hit in all
six games of the postseason, going 9-for-23 with one homer.
TV: 8:08 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (0-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. Dodgers
LH Rich Hill (0-1, 6.43)
Arrieta, who won 18 games during the regular season, gave up two
runs in six innings in a no-decision against San Francisco in the NL
Division Series. The 30-year-old told reporters he is much more
comfortable with the postseason expectations this time around after
allowing four runs in two of his three 2015 outings. "I think going
through that last year has prepared myself as well as the rest of
the guys mentally for a longer run this year, and I think we've been
able to handle the moments mentally a lot better as well as
physically," Arrieta said at Monday's press conference. "So
personally moving forward, I think I'm in a much better place, and I
think a lot of our guys are as well.
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Hill won 12 games in the regular season but hasn't fared well this
postseason. He lasted just seven total innings over two starts
against Washington in the NLDS but defended his performance at
Monday's press conference. "For me, I go out there and give
everything that I have, that's it. That's the bottom line," Hill
told reporters. "Your effort is everything. Your ability to go out
there and stay in the moment and execute pitch to pitch and do the
best that you can, that's it. Let everything else fall where it
may."
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WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant, the probable NL MVP, was hitless in four
at-bats in Game 2 but is 8-for-24 with a homer in the postseason.
2. Los Angeles RHP Kenley Jansen struck out four in two innings to
get the save in Game 2 and has fanned 13 batters in 7 1/3 innings
this postseason.
3. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo is hitless in eight at-bats in the
series and 1-for-23 in six games this postseason.
PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Dodgers 1
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