NLCS Game 5 Prediction – Can Kershaw Finish Off the Cubs? 10/19/17
The Cubs are doing what champions do – just hanging around. After the Dodgers captured a 3-0 series lead following a 6-1 win at Wrigley, they knew the rest of their trip could be spent exploring Lou Malnati’s thick crust and doing some site seeing at Navy Pier. If Los Angeles isn’t careful however, they’ll indeed let the Cubs back into this series as Chicago can close the gap to 3-2 in the NLCS Game 5 Predictions.
Odds
Clayton Kershaw is on the mound for Los Angeles and he brings with him a heavy moneyline at -148. Chicago is +140 if you think they can keep the momentum rolling behind left-hander Jose Quintana while the total is set at 7 with a slight wind blowing out to left at 6MPH.
Los Angeles Dodgers
LA needs nothing more for the advantage than having their ace on the hill. Kershaw was stellar in game one allowing just four hits and 2 ER against Chicago. However, it was also the left hander who was on the hill in the NLCS deciding game 6 at Wrigley a year ago. Kershaw took the loss after allowing HRs to Anthony Rizzo and Dexter Fowler in the win that sent the Cubs on to their first World Series win in 108 years. Is that game in the back of Kershaw’s head in the NLCS Game 5 Predictions?
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs send Jose Quintana to the mound and he allowed only 2ER to the Dodgers in game one. Chicago found a bit of offense last time out with HRs by Javy Baez (2) and a moon shot from Willson Contreras. Still the Cubs are hitting just .176 in the postseason. However, Chicago has won 5 straight elimination games in the postseason. They were also down 3-1 in the World Series to Cleveland last year and we all know how that turned out.
NLCS Game 5 Predictions
You can bank on momentum and history and all that junk – or you can choose to ride a multiple Cy Young winner on full rest. Kershaw may have some Wrigley Field demons, but the Cubs offense is just so fatigued right now that it’s hard to see them getting to the left-hander. Every run the Cubs have scored this series has been via the long ball. Chicago will be without Wade Davis in the NLCS Game 5 Predictions as he threw 48 pitches last night, and the rest of their bullpen is fitting this close to Halloween – Scary!
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers -148
