The National League Championship Series between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers is just the second all-time postseason meeting. The Dodgers swept the Cubs in the 2008 NL Division Series.
Both clubs are lightyears removed from that three-game set, namely with each boasting an overhauled front office. Similarities extend beyond Cubs and Dodgers executives, as the respective rosters are highlighted by youth, savvy veterans, and versatility.
“I was looking at their roster and I think they have one of the best players in the game in Seager at shortstop,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon told reporters prior to Friday’s workout at Wrigley Field.
“He is an incredibly good talent, especially at the plate. He’s different. Turner at third base, he’s the kind of guy — he’s a Long Beach guy, so you know they know how they play baseball. And even Utley’s from Long Beach also. So they’re tough.”
Maddon of course has strong ties to Long Beach, Calif. He purchased a home in the Belmont Shore neighborhood during his tenure as bench coach for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
The Cubs are regarded as having the same never-say-quit attitude as their manager. They echoed the message after overcoming a three-run deficit in the ninth inning of Game 4 to eliminate the San Francisco Giants from the NLDS.
Maddon sees much of that same quality of the Dodgers. “The word ‘grind’ is used excessively this time of the year, actually during the season,” he said. “But right now you’re grinding all the time, but I think that they have that within their fabric, they are grinders. … They’re very good.”
Maddon and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts share the connection of being the only managers Andrew Friedman has ever hired. Maddon couldn’t speak to whether that correlates to there a being specific connection between the two. He did, however, speak fondly of Roberts.
“Very bright, engaging, gregarious, he’s got all those different qualities, and he’s obviously a quick study, too, the way he’s picked up this managerial thing,” Maddon said. “So I’m a big fan. He and I have great conversation, when we have the opportunity, and I’m very happy for his success.”
The Cubs went 4-3 against the Dodgers this season, including taking three of four at home. Game 1 of the NLCS is set for 5:08 p.m. PT on Saturday.
