The Cubbies dispatched the Dodgers in six games a year ago but the script has been flipped. This year the Dodgers hold the home field advantage and came into the playoffs with the best record in baseball.As a Dodger fan, I was pulling for the Cubs to advance because I would rather see the Dodgers face off against Cubs pitchers John Lester (13-8), John Lackey (12-12), Jose Quintana (7-3) and Kyle Hendricks (7-5) than Washington's Max Scherzer (16-6), Steven Strasburg (15-4), Gio Gonzalez (15-9) and Tanner Roark (13-11).
The Nationals pitching kept the Cubs bats in check until last night's offensive explosion.
Not to suggest the Cubs will be an easy task. But I think last year's team was on a historical mission while this year's version is trying to make it two in a row -- not an easy thing to do.
The 2017 Dodgers are new and improved from the 2016 version. Here's why:
- Yu Darvish (4-3), Rich Hill (12-8) and Alex Wood (16-3) join Clayton Kershaw (18-4) in a much deeper starting pitching rotation.
- Brandon Morrow and Kenley Jansen are tough to beat in the eighth and ninth innings and late season acquisitions Tony Watson and Tony Cingrani provide left-handed spot relief.
- Kenta Maeda's proving to be a beast in middle relief.
- Cody Bellinger is a threat, Justin Turner is solid, Corey Seager is a year older and wiser, Chris Taylor is a true lead-off hitter, Yasiel Puig is maturing, Austin Barnes can rake and catch, Logan Forsythe provides a strong right-handed bat, Curtis Granderson can be streaky hot and Dave Roberts has plenty of options off the bench with Chase Utley, Yasmani Grandal, Andre Ethier and Kiki Hernandez ready to contribute.
The window of opportunity is there for the Dodgers this year. The rotation is set, the home crowd is juiced and the Cubs come into LA after a tough series with the Nats while the Dodgers have been resting after sweeping Arizona.
It's time for Dodger baseball.
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