If this was any other year MLB season than what it is now, you’d think the baseball gods were crazy in having the Cubs, Mets, Royals and Blue Jays all vying for a shot at the World Series title. But alas, such are our times now, and these former laughingstocks of the league are playing some of their best baseball for some unpredictable results and drama for a change.
In the National League, the Chicago Cubs upended fellow NL Central rivals the St. Louis Cardinals in four games after being shutout in the first game of their series. Meanwhile, the “curse-shaw” continues for Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers, as they fell to the New York Mets in Game 5, 3-2, on Thursday.
Which amongst these two title-starved franchises will earn the spot to represent the National League in the World Series? Read on as we take a game-by-game look at the probable results for this electrifying series ahead. Afterwards, don’t forget to also check out how we’ve predicted the outcome for the equally thrilling ALCS.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Chicago Cubs vs. New York Mets NLCS Predictions
Game 1: Chicago Cubs at New York Mets
Where: Citi Field, Flushing
When: Saturday, October 17, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Chicago Cubs at New York Mets – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: TBS
Pitching Matchup: Jon Lester (11-12, 3.34 ERA) vs. Matt Harvey (13-8, 2.71 ERA)
In a surprising decision, Chicago manager Joe Maddon opted to start Jon Lester instead of the Cubs’ season-long ace, Jake Arrieta in Game 1 against the Mets on Saturday.
[sc:MLB240banner ]But Lester’s impressive postseason resume (15 starts and two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox) makes Maddon’s judgment ultimately a sound one.
However, New York will counter with its own early season ace, Matt Harvey, who has yet to allow a home run against the entire Cubs lineup his career. Expect Saturday’s match to be one of many fantastic pitching duels throughout the series.
Writer’s Prediction: The Mets hammer Lester enough times to draw first blood.
Game 2: Chicago Cubs at New York Mets
Where: Citi Field, Flushing
When: Sunday, October 18, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Chicago Cubs at New York Mets – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: TBS
Pitching Matchup: Jake Arrieta (22-6, 1.77 ERA) vs. Noah Syndergaard (9-7, 3.24 ERA)
Jake Arrieta’s Game 2 start will prove to be the biggest factor of this match. Although he is coming off a shaky start in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Cards, Arrieta is actually better on the road (13-1, 1.60 ERA) than at home (9-5, 1.97 ERA).
Furthermore, the Cubs’ rookie sensation in Kris Bryant looks to have figured out fellow big-league newcomer Noah Syndergaard in the regular season, albeit in very limited plate appearances. In three at-bats this year, Bryant got two hits (one triple) off the 23-year-old righty. He also hit .381 against New york this season with two home runs, four RBIs and five walks.
Writer’s Prediction: Arrieta powers Chicago to victory to even the series.
Game 3: New York Mets at Chicago Cubs
Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago
When: Tuesday, October 20
Line: New York Mets at Chicago Cubs – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: TBS
Pitching Matchup: Jacob deGrom (14-8, 2.54 ERA) vs. Kyle Hendricks (8-7, 3.95 ERA)
Unlike Arrieta, Chicago’s probable starter for Game 3 in Kyle Hendricks prefers to pitch in front of the Chicago faithful. He has a 3.38 ERA in Wrigley as opposed to 4.47 on the road. Furthermore, Mets batters are just 6-for-40 combined lifetime against Hendricks, with Lucas Duda the only player to knock one out of the park against the 25-year-old.
On the flipside, Jacob deGrom will likely make the start for New York, and was efficient in limiting the Dodgers to two earned runs in 13 innings in the NLDS. However, he was 0-2 with a 6.10 ERA against Chicago in the regular season.
Writer’s Prediction: Make that two-straight wins for the Cubs to take the series lead.
Game 4: New York Mets at Chicago Cubs
Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago
When: Wednesday, October 21
Line: New York Mets at Chicago Cubs – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: TBS
Pitching Matchup: Jason Hammel (10-7, 3.74 ERA) / Dan Haren (11-9, 3.60 ERA) vs. Steven Matz (4-0, 2.27 ERA)
This is where it gets tricky for Chicago. Choosing between Jason Hammel and Dan Haren for Game 4 will be a tough decision indeed, as both have not been up to par with their outputs of late.
Still, the Mets have got to be demoralized at this point after having rough days at the plate in Games 2 and 3. New York’s biggest sluggers in David Wright and Lucas Duda once again find it hard to connect in the clutch. The two are a combined 3-for-34 in the Division Series against Los Angeles and continue to struggle to put up numbers on the board.
Writer’s Prediction: The Cubs win another tight contest to draw one victory closer towards clinching the National League title.
Game 5: New York Mets at Chicago Cubs
Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago
When: Thursday, October 22
Line: New York Mets at Chicago Cubs – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: TBS
Pitching Matchup: Matt Harvey (13-8, 2.71 ERA) vs. Jake Arrieta (22-6, 1.77 ERA)
With the World Series just a breath away, Joe Maddon doesn’t hesitate in pulling the trigger by having Jake Arrieta return for the series-clinching Game 5 on shorter rest that anticipated. At the same time, New York’s skipper in Terry Collins will likely counter with his top starter, Matt Harvey, who is in synce with his projected schedule.
Regardless, with a 3-1 series lead and with a World Series berth on the line, the stars have seemingly aligned for the Cubs to send their die-hard fans in attendance into a state of euphoria before the big dance. Anthony Rizzo, who led the club in the regular season in virtually all major offensive statistical categories, has an all-around performance on and off the plate as well, further adding to the already richer template of Chicago’s charmed postseason run.
Writer’s Prediction: The Cubs shake off the feisty Mets with some key runs late in Game 5 to advance to their first World Series since the dawn of the new millennium.
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