Maeda tasked with silencing Chicago’s bats
The Dodgers’ Kenta Maeda was largely ineffective in his postseason debut. Unlike the majority of Dave Roberts’ hurlers, though, at least the 28-year-old is fresh entering the NLCS.
Fatigued, albeit galvanized, Los Angeles takes on the Cubs tonight, with an 8:09 p.m. ET first pitch at Wrigley Field. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives the hosts odds of -210 to grab Game 1, while the Boys in Blue represent +185 underdogs. The over/under run figure sits at 7.5.
On Sunday, Maeda labored through three innings against the Nationals. His squad, however, rallied to capture the next two contests and guarantee this matchup against the World Series favorites – even if that meant using anyone and everyone on staff. Closer Kenley Jansen logged a career-high 51 pitches two nights ago before yielding to Clayton Kershaw. The ace then recorded the final two outs with Washington’s tying run on base.
Chicago rarely stranded men in scoring position in its opening-round triumph over San Francisco. Joe Maddon also received exceptional work from the bulk of his arms. Jon Lester, who gave up five hits and no walks in eight shutout innings a week ago, receives the assignment in a few hours. He’s 7-6 with a 2.63 ERA in 17 career playoff appearances.
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The fact that Maeda’s operating on regular rest should be crucial to the Dodgers’ chances here. Roberts clearly needs the righty to venture deep into the proceedings and help preserve a taxed bullpen. With the Cubbies’ main bats showing few signs of weakness, though, we sense an inevitable eruption.
SATURDAY MLB FREE PICK: CUBS -1.5