PREMIUM
Rogers' Game 5 Coach's Clinic >> SUPER 48-28-1 MLB Run!
(MLB) Chi Cubs vs. LA Dodgers,
Point Spread: 1.50 | -126.00 LA Dodgers (Home)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: 1.50 | -126.00 LA Dodgers (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 103-win Cubs were shut out in Games 2 and 3 by the Dodgers but ended a 21-inning scoreless drought in the 4th inning of Wednesday's Game 4 by scoring four runs (Russell hit a two-run HR). Rizzo followed with a solo shot in the 5th and the Cubs then put the game away with a five-run 6th, coasting to a 10-2 while tying the series at two games apiece. Lackey was pulled after back-to-back walks to open the 5th and while those two runnners did score, none of Chicago's five relievers were charged with a run over their five innings of work (just three hits allowed).
The pitching matchup: Jon Lester (1-0, 0.64 ERA) gets the nod for the Cubs and Kenta Maeda (0-1, 9.00 ERA) for the Dodgers. LA manager Dave Roberts has decided to not pitch ace Clayton Kershaw again until Game 6 in Chicago. Roberts confirmed after last night's contest that Maeda will pitch Thursday, citing that Kershaw's workload of three starts and one relief appearance over a 10-day span sealed his decision. "It's not an elimination game," Roberts said. "And I think the accumulation of (Kershaw's) usage over the last 10 days plays a factor in our decision." Maeda had a solid regular season (16-11, 348 ERA) but has lasted just seven innings in two playoff starts, allowing seven hits, five walks and seven ERs. He's 0-1 (the team 0-2), while posting a 9.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and opponents have hit .300 against him.
Lester went 19-5 with a 2.44 ERA in 32 regular season starts (24-8 in all starts, plus-$1,047) and along with Washington's Scherzer, is a Cy Young favorite. He's made two postseason starts and has been very good (he's 1-0 and the Cubs 2-0), pitching 14 innings while allowing nine hits and one run (8-1 KW ratio) for an 0.64 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and opponents have batted only .188 against him.
The pick: Clearly, Lester owns an decided edge over Maeda but things are rarely that simple. While the Chicago bats woke up in Game 4, the Dodgers hardly helped their cause by playing a sloppy game with four errors. The pressure is all on the Cubs, the season's best team from start to finish and the team desperately looks to finally end "the Curse!" Lester does own an excellent 2.57 ERA in 18 postseason appearances (16 starts) but his 7-6 record reveals that more than a few of them have been no "walk in the park." Maeda admits his playoff performance has been shaky but while a rookie, he's no kid at 28-years-old. The Dodgers plus 1 1/2 runs is an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Jon Lester (1-0, 0.64 ERA) gets the nod for the Cubs and Kenta Maeda (0-1, 9.00 ERA) for the Dodgers. LA manager Dave Roberts has decided to not pitch ace Clayton Kershaw again until Game 6 in Chicago. Roberts confirmed after last night's contest that Maeda will pitch Thursday, citing that Kershaw's workload of three starts and one relief appearance over a 10-day span sealed his decision. "It's not an elimination game," Roberts said. "And I think the accumulation of (Kershaw's) usage over the last 10 days plays a factor in our decision." Maeda had a solid regular season (16-11, 348 ERA) but has lasted just seven innings in two playoff starts, allowing seven hits, five walks and seven ERs. He's 0-1 (the team 0-2), while posting a 9.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and opponents have hit .300 against him.
Lester went 19-5 with a 2.44 ERA in 32 regular season starts (24-8 in all starts, plus-$1,047) and along with Washington's Scherzer, is a Cy Young favorite. He's made two postseason starts and has been very good (he's 1-0 and the Cubs 2-0), pitching 14 innings while allowing nine hits and one run (8-1 KW ratio) for an 0.64 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and opponents have batted only .188 against him.
The pick: Clearly, Lester owns an decided edge over Maeda but things are rarely that simple. While the Chicago bats woke up in Game 4, the Dodgers hardly helped their cause by playing a sloppy game with four errors. The pressure is all on the Cubs, the season's best team from start to finish and the team desperately looks to finally end "the Curse!" Lester does own an excellent 2.57 ERA in 18 postseason appearances (16 starts) but his 7-6 record reveals that more than a few of them have been no "walk in the park." Maeda admits his playoff performance has been shaky but while a rookie, he's no kid at 28-years-old. The Dodgers plus 1 1/2 runs is an 8* play.
