Los Angeles Dodgers are out-Cubsing the Chicago Cubs
The Los Angeles Dodgers have a commanding 3-0 lead over the Cubs in the National League Championship Series. They built that lead by beating the Chicago Cubs at their own game.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have dominated the National League all season, so it’s no surprise they are on the verge of punching their ticket to the franchise’s first World Series since 1988. They finished 104-58 in the regular season and have not yet lost a game in the playoffs. They swept the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLDS and are one win away from a sweep of the defending champion Cubs.
Yasiel Puig and the Dodgers are beating the Cubs (and everyone else) using a familiar template. In many ways, the 2017 Dodgers mirror the 2016 Cubs. Of course, the Cubs are the reigning champions, completing their magical World Series run last October. In addition to a nearly identical win-loss record (the Cubs were 103-58 last year), the teams parallel each other in the following ways.
Versatility
Ben Zobrist is a multi-positional superstar. He’s been that way since his first go-around with manager Joe Maddon during their glory days in Tampa Bay. In 2016 he spent significant time at second base, left field, and right field. He slashed .272/.386/.446 and made the All-Star team. This year he played the same positions in the field, but his offensive numbers sagged to .232/.318/.375.
The Dodgers’ Chris Taylor is a better Zobrist than Zobrist, at least in 2017. After washing out in Seattle, they picked him off the scrap heap and turned him into a star. He’s slashed .288/.354/.496 while playing center field, left field, second base, shortstop, and third base.
Getting on base
The 2016 Cubs were masters at getting on base by any means necessary. Their team batting average was only .256, sixth in the NL, but they led the league with a .343 OBP. Their 656 walks were best in the league. They also had five players with double-digit HBP.
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The 2017 Dodgers also led NL in walks with 649, even though no one on the team had more than 69 (Logan Forsythe). Their paltry .249 team BA was eleventh in the league, but they walked their way to a .334 OBP, third best in the NL.
Bullpen
The Cubs bullpen dominated in the 2016 regular season and playoffs. Hector Rondon, Trevor Cahill, Travis Wood, and Pedro Strop were outstanding all season long, and high-profile trade acquisitions Aroldis Chapman and Joe Smith solidified a championship-caliber relief corps.
The 2017 Dodgers best weapon is Kenley Jansen, whose 3.5 fWAR was the best in baseball among relievers. His 1.32 ERA, 0.746 WHIP and 14.4 K/9 are reasons why his 2017 season is one of the best any relief pitcher has ever had. Ross Stripling, Pedro Baez, Josh Fields, Luis Avilan, and Brandon Morrow round out an elite bullpen.
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While there’s still a modicum of hope for the Cubs to make a comeback in the NLCS, the Dodgers look close to unstoppable. It’s a look that should be familiar to the Cubs.