October 14, 2016: Kiss of Death

I have to do it. Do you think I’m really going to pick against the Cubs in this NLCS preview?  You must be crazy. Kind of like whoever Jayson Stark picks being the kiss of death, I hope this isn’t the case. By the way, thanks for picking Boston this year Jayson.

My pick has no bearing on this series of course.  Neither does some Billy Goat from 71 years ago.  Neither does a Sports Illustrated cover jinx.  Neither does how the Cubs have fared in every other NLCS in my lifetime.  Losses to the Padres in 84, the Giants in 89, the Marlins in 03, or the Mets in 15, have absolutely no bearing on this series.  Yes, all that history exists, and weighs over us fans more than anything.  The history that has scarred us; that’s not easy to forget.  These players though… regardless of what they say, I do think they will feel it.  They will feel the pressure of the moment, of the city, of the fan base.  But, according to Maddon, players should thrive on this.  They should run towards the pressure.  That means you are doing something good.  Well, the Cubs are doing something good, and they don’t have to run anywhere for this type of pressure.  It’s smacking them in the face.

There are interesting links between the Dodgers and the Cubs.  I have already went through 2008, that really has no bearing this year.  What about the Dodgers GM Andrew Friedman, who left Tampa Bay to take that job.  His leaving led to Maddon exercising an out clause in his contract at Tampa, which led to… yeah, that.  Then do you remember the team that had traded for Chapman in the offseason, before the off the field troubles surfaced.  Yes, it was the Dodgers.  Yes, the trade didn’t go through.  Yes, he saved all 3 games of the NLDS for us.  I read somewhere that the Dodgers were in play for Lester too; I’m trying to remember back then when I was following the free agent period, hoping the Cubs landed a big fish.  That big fish was Lester; how’s that been working out this year?

Yes, there are links, but let’s get to the match up.  Maddon is the man, we know that.  Dave Roberts the Dodgers manager is no slouch.  He has impressed me the way he’s managed those bozos all year, and how he managed game 5 of the NLDS.  He has no fear.  It should be a good chess match that shouldn’t be overlooked.  Of course, Roberts stole the base that led to Theo’s Red Sox winning.  Another link for you.

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The place where the Cubs have the big advantage is on the mound, and that makes me feel good.  On paper, the Cubs dominate in this category.  Besides Kershaw, I’d take every other Cubs starter over any other Dodger starter.  And regardless of how good Jansen is, ours is better.  Being a big lefty closer is huge in this series, considering those lefty bats that I mentioned above.  I like our advantage in the pitching area; it’s a big reason why I think we win this series.

It’s hard to be unbiased, so why even try.  At this point with the Cubs, I can’t see anything else but the Cubs winning it all, regardless of who we play.  We’re back in the NLCS again.  We’re a better team.  We’re a hungry team.  We’ve been the best team all year.  We’ve ALL been waiting for these moments.  It’s time for the next round to start.

So, I’m picking the Cubs… in 6.  I think the Dodgers sneak one out in Wrigley, but I see the Cubs taking 2 of 3 in LA, setting up the NLCS clincher in Wrigley.  If you thought the Cardinals win in Wrigley brought down the house… if this happens…. wow.  Yet, that will still pale to the ultimate, which still lies ahead.  But, one step at a time.  It’s Cubs Dodgers in the 2016 NLCS; this should be an awesome series.  Go Cubs Go!!!