Not to jinx the Los Angeles Dodgers but they are currently the best team in the MLB postseason and it is not even close. The Dodgers have won 11 of their last 12 games – including all five in the playoffs – while averaging 5.6 runs per game. The NLCS between the Dodgers and Chicago Cubs switches to the Windy City with Justin Turner and company looking to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Yu Darvish will take the mound for the Dodgers looking to build on his excellent performance in Game 3 of the NLDS. The right-hander allowed just two hits and one run with seven strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work in his first postseason start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his past four starts, Darvish has surrendered just two earned runs while sporting a 28/1 K/BB ratio.
Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks has been wildly inconsistent through the NLDS. The righty pitched seven innings of no-run ball in Game 1 of the NLDS but then allowed nine hits and four runs in just 4.0 innings in Game 5. That was the first time Hendricks allowed more than three earned runs in a start since the all-star break.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Chicago (95-74) will face the 109-58 Dodgers in this tilt. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Chicago vs Los Angeles injuries news.
The OddsShark MLB Power Rankings have the Chicago Cubs at No. 1 and the Los Angeles Dodgers at No. 7 heading into this contest.
Statistical Matchup
Scoring stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features the Chicago Cubs' No. 8-ranked scoring average of 4.98 runs per game, against a Los Angeles Dodgers offense rated No. 12 and scoring 4.78 runs per game. The Cubs have averaged 8.51 hits per game to date this season, more than the Dodgers hitters have managed (8.34 per nine innings).
Comparing defensive stats, Los Angeles owns the No. 2-rated road mark, allowing 3.83 runs per game on the highway. Chicago, on the other hand, rates No. 5 in scoring at home.
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Los Angeles at Chicago, Wednesday, October 18