In Game 1 we saw a historic come-from-behind win by the Cubs while Game 2 brought the first shutout of Chicago in Wrigley in the postseason since the Red Sox’s hurler Babe Ruth accomplished the feat in 1918. With so much history already made, it’ll be interesting to see what these two teams do for an encore in Game 3 as the series shifts to the City of Angels.
You can bet on MLB odds at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Generally, pitching dominated the first two games of this series, the only exception was the eighth inning of Game 1. There’ve been 13 runs scored in the two games, seven of those game in that eighth inning.
The ice cold Cubs’ offense is noticeable. Throughout their first six postseason games, we’ve seen Chicago show flashes of their dominant offense when they’ve needed to, the latest being that eighth inning performance, but we’ve also seen the opposing pitchers shut the offense down as Clayton Kershaw and company did in Game 2.
One of the Cubs’ players struggling most at the plate is Anthony Rizzo. He and Kris Bryant formed a dominant one-two bunch in the heart of the Cubs’ order that carried this team at times and was reliable as any duo in the sport.
In this postseason, Rizzo has one hit in 23 at bats. He’s 0-for-8 with a walk in the NLCS. Bryant’s been better, going 8-for-20 with five extra base hits, but was hitless with two strikeouts in Game 2. He’ll bounce back, but he needs his partner in crime on the other infield corner to do the same for this lineup to start performing more consistently.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
Good news for the Cubs: It’s not Kershaw pitching. Bad news: Rich Hill was almost as unhittable in his limited starts in the Dodger blue. He’s also another southpaw.
In six regular season starts, the veteran lefty with the big curve allowed just seven runs in 34.1 innings, giving him a 1.83 ERA. He also posted a miniscule WHIP of 0.786 and a not-quite-Kershaw-like strikeout to walk ratio of 7.8.
Hill showed his flaws in a pair of starts in the NLDS, combining for only seven innings, giving up five runs on nine hits and four walks. He did, however, pitch the series winning Game 5, but lasted just 2.2 innings.
The former Cub revitalized his career at the end of last season in Boston and that carried into Oakland and eventually Los Angeles. In his career, he’s only faced his former team in Chicago once, in relief, pitching two-thirds of an inning. There’s no history here to count on, just a pitcher coming off a great season with a tough breaking pitching going against an opponent for essentially the first time in his career, looking to rebound from a few shortened postseason appearances.
On the flip side, the Cubs have yet another ace in their pocket as last year’s Cy Young Award winner—Jake Arrieta—gets the ball.
Arrieta started Game 3 of the NLDS, the only game the Cubs lost, but it can hardly be blamed on the 30-year old right-hander. He went six innings, allowing two runs to the Giants.
Prior to that, Arreita had a concerning start, giving up seven runs to the Pirates in five innings. Nevertheless, you cannot look too much into that. The righty was 18-8 with a 3.10 ERA and 1.084. He also shutout the Dodgers over seven innings, allowing two hits in his only start against them this year.
LIVE BETTING
The Dodgers got a huge start from Kershaw in Game 2, giving them the split heading into three in L.A. and in the process, saving the bullpen.
Kershaw went seven scoreless and Kenley Jansen added a pair of scoreless innings on top of that, getting his first six out save.
Without having to go to the guys in the middle of the pen, it saved their arms and gave them some time after Joe Blanton’s collapse in Game 1. Further, Jansen’s performances reassures nervous bettors that his tiring performance in the NLDS didn’t have any lingering effects on the Dodgers’ most important arm not attached to Kershaw.
In the other bullpen, Mike Montgomery continues to be—arguably—the most important arm, at least after Aroldis Chapman who went a scoreless ninth, though he didn’t strike out anybody.
Montgomery, had a scoreless frame in the game, too, but he did walk two in the process and toss 18 pitches. With an off day, he has plenty of time to recoup, but his control is an issue given the Dodgers’ left-handed dominant lineup.
QUICK PICK
Can Rich Hill put together a good start in Game 3 after his shortened outings in the NLDS? Maybe. But Arrieta is more reliable.
Chicago’s slow offense is a worry, particularly while Rizzo struggles, but the Dodgers offense hasn’t been on fire either.
Look for pitching to continue to be the main storyline in Game 3 with Arrieta tossing a strong start and Hill being serviceable, but not quite good enough as the Cubs offense ends up putting up a few runs, even if it is in a single inning outburst once again.
MLB Odds: Cubs 4, Dodgers 3
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers is scheduled for Tuesday, October 18, 2016, at 7:05 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium. The contest will be televised nationally on FS1.
