Last Updated on October 18, 2016 1:29 pm by Brad Burns
Arrieta tries to lift visitors at Chavez Ravine
After getting punched in the mouth in Game 1 of the NLCS, the Dodgers struck back on Sunday night. Can they keep running with the Cubs as the action shifts out West?
Los Angeles and Chicago meet again this evening, with an 8:08 p.m. ET first pitch in California. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives the visiting crew odds of -120 to grab a 2-1 series lead, whereas Dave Roberts’ team represents a +110 underdog. The over/run total rests at 6.5.
The Dodgers’ skipper won’t ask Rich Hill to replicate Clayton Kershaw’s near-flawless outing over the weekend. Nonetheless, the 36-year-old lefty needs to step up his performance on the October stage. Hill owns a 0-2 record with a 7.20 ERA in three career playoff starts. Most recently, he only made it through 2 2/3 innings against Washington in the Division Series.
Joe Maddon counters with Jake Arrieta, who merely no-hit Los Angeles the last time he threw at Dodger Stadium. While that epic display occurred Aug. 30, 2015, the righty caused further consternation for the Boys in Blue just a few months ago. On May 31, Arrieta fired seven scoreless frames at Wrigley Field. The Missouri native’s in search of his third career postseason victory.
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On paper, the Cubbies clearly enjoy the edge on the mound. Yet the Dodgers’ ability to grind out quality at-bats could flummox Chicago’s reigning Cy Young winner more than expected. We anticipate a tight affair that sets the stage for tomorrow’s John Lackey-Julio Urias duel.
TUESDAY MLB FREE PICK: CUBS -1.5