A bounce here or there and perhaps the Los Angeles Dodgers would’ve defeated the Chicago Cubs in the 2016 National League Championship Series. Instead, they blew a 2-1 series lead and were eliminated in six games. The Cubs went on to celebrate their first World Series win since 1908.
The Dodgers’ drought without so much as an appearance in the Fall Classic is in its 29th year. Manager Dave Roberts came away from the NLCS with a “sour taste,” but he referred to the Cubs as the unquestioned best team in 2016.
Ahead of the Dodgers facing the Cubs for the first time this season, Roberts said he believed both teams were “evenly matched.” The Cubs narrowly took two of three games at Wrigley Field.
Prior to Friday’s series opener, Roberts again compared his team to the reigning champions. “Last year, I felt they were the best team, and that’s the way it played out,” Roberts said.
“This year, I feel we’re a better team. [But] it really doesn’t matter what my thoughts of two clubs are, it’s about going out there and playing.
“You want to play well against these guys because they’re a good ballclub and you want to win baseball games. But the narrative of, ‘We have to beat them because they eliminated us last year,’ I think we’re all past that.”
With their shutout win at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers have split four games with the Cubs entering play on Saturday. Los Angeles has edged Chicago, 8-7, in those contests.
Dating back to last year’s NLCS, the Dodgers’ past five wins against the Cubs have all been of the shutout variety.
After Sunday, the two teams won’t meet again until a potential matchup in the playoffs. They’re among the favorites to reach to the 2017 World Series.
