NLCS Game 3 Prediction – Cubs are Done…Or Are They?
With Clayton Kershaw looming soon, the Chicago Cubs are running out of chances to get back into this NLCS as they trail 0-2. Chicago almost stole one last time out, taking a 1-1 tie into the 9th, but a 3-run walkoff by Justin Turner saved the day for LA. Now the Dodgers get to look at the NLCS Game 3 Prediction Dodgers Cubs as a casual 3-game getaway: enjoy some deep dish, do a little shopping on the Magnificent Mile, and steal at least one so you can go home and win in front of the home crowd.
Odds
The line has tread water opening up at Chicago -119 before dropping to the -113 we see it at now. They say the series doesn’t start until the home team loses, and bettors had to take note of that last night when the Yankees 8-1 win brought them to within a game of the ALCS at 2-1. The NLCS Game 3 Prediction Dodgers Cubs total is 8 which is interesting with the temps expected to get down into the high 50s with a wind blowing out to center at about 9MPH.
Los Angeles Dodgers
LA is definitely in the driver’s seat in this series. In basically a throwaway game they trot out Yu Darvish who baffled Arizona in the decisive game 3 of the NLDS giving up just 2 hits in 5.0 IP. Darvish has allowed just a .195 average to Cubs batters in his career in only 41 plate appearances.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago fans are fickle and sometimes playing in front of the Windy City faithful puts more pressure on a player. Sports talk radio is already clamoring for NL MVP Kris Bryant to get benched for Tommy LaStella. The best thing the Cubs can do is get their bats going early and get out to a big lead to shut up their own fans ironically. They’ll have ample chances to do so with Kyle Hendricks on the mound. Hendricks wasn’t great by any means last time out, allowing 4ER on 9H to Washington in the decisive game 5 of the NLDS. Hendricks will have two advantages Tuesday – pitching at home for the first time in four starts – and facing a Dodger lineup that has hit only .189 against them in their careers.
NLCS Game 3 Prediction Dodgers Cubs
The Cubs are putting a lot of pressure on Hendricks in the NLCS Game 3 Prediction Dodgers Cubs – mostly because their bullpen has just been so stretch / lousy. The Cubs starters have just a 1.98 ERA in the postseason, best of any team still alive. Yet they find themselves facing basically a do or die situation. Darvish is great, but weather could be an issue. Every time somebody counts Hendricks out, he shows them why he is the professor.
Pick: Chicago Cubs -113
