Following Saturday’s Game 1 of the NLCS at Wrigley Field in Chicago, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs will meet again on Sunday night for a pivotal Game 2 before the teams head west to L.A.
Both the Dodgers and the Cubs are looking to end lengthy World Series droughts, although there is likely more desperation on Chicago’s side, since the Cubs haven’t reached the World Series since 1945 and haven’t won it since 1908.
Prior to Game 2, here is all the information you need regarding how to watch the matchup, as well as a prediction for which team will come out on top.
Where: Wrigley Field in Chicago
When: Sunday, Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. ET
Watch: Fox Sports 1
Dodgers Player to Watch: Joc Pederson
Outfielder Joc Pederson was among the Dodgers’ most potent offensive players during the NLDS against the Washington Nationals, and he came through in some clutch situations as well.
Pederson hit .333 with one home run and three RBI in L.A.’s first playoff series, but the biggest of his five hits undoubtedly came in the seventh inning of Game 5, when he tied things up with a solo shot.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, it had been 28 years since a Dodgers player last accomplished a similar feat:
Pederson tends to be a streaky player due to his propensity for striking out, but he’s made huge strides since his rookie season.
The 24-year-old hit 25 homers and set a career high with 68 RBI, but he also improved his batting average from .210 to .246 and cut down his strikeouts by 40, making him a much tougher out.
That has translated to the playoffs thus far, and it makes the Dodgers’ entire lineup far more dangerous when he is putting the ball in play.
Perhaps no player on L.A.’s entire roster is more capable of changing the complexion of a game or series with one swing of the bat, and the Dodgers may need precisely that in a tough matchup with Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks on Sunday.
Cubs Player to Watch: Kyle Hendricks
Hendricks’ NLDS start against the San Francisco Giants ended after just 3.2 innings, when he got hit in the forearm with a line drive.
The 26-year-old allowed two earned runs on four hits and didn’t appear to have his best stuff, but he still contributed heavily to Chicago’s win.
After getting just two RBI during the regular season, Hendricks drove in two runs in that game, which hadn’t been done by a pitcher in the playoffs in eight years, according to ESPN Stats & Info:
There was some concern that Hendricks would miss time, but after throwing and testing his arm out, he ruled himself “good to go,” per Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago.
That was enough for manager Joe Maddon to name him the Cubs’ Game 2 starter despite having some other capable options at his disposal.
Hendricks went 16-8 and led qualified National League starters with a 2.13 ERA during the regular season. It was a true breakout campaign, but he has yet to prove he can get the job done on the big stage.
With a career ERA of 5.11 in three postseason starts, Hendricks is still searching for a gem in the games that matter most.
Continued playoff issues could lead to a huge Los Angeles win, but if Hendricks performs like he did during the regular season, the Cubs will almost certainly come away with the victory.
Game 2 Prediction
Seemingly every factor appears to be pointing in the Cubs’ favor ahead of Game 2, as they boast advantages across the board.
Chicago will play the game at home and Hendricks will pitch on extra rest. Plus the lineup is as deep as any in the league, with Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell and Javier Baez leading the way for the National League’s No. 2 regular-season scoring offense.
It’s difficult to argue against the notion that the Cubs are the best all-around team in baseball, and that should come in handy in Game 2, since it means they can beat the Dodgers in a number of different ways.
Look for strong starting pitching, timely hitting and clutch relief from closer Aroldis Chapman to carry Chicago to victory in Sunday’s NLCS clash.
Game 2 pick: Cubs win, 4-2
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