Joe Maddon was ejected in the seventh inning amid some controversy
concerning a play at the plate overturned in the Dodgers' favor. But he
will try to get his team refocused ahead of Sunday's Game 2 clash.
Here are three takeaways from Game 1:
1. No Corey Seager, no problem for Dodgers — Seager's back injury kept
him off the NLCS roster, but the Dodgers got clutch hits from Yasiel
Puig and Seager's replacement in the starting lineup, Charlie Culberson.
Puig doubled to deep center field in the fifth inning, Greg Bird Authentic Jersey scoring a run. He then hit a solo home run in the seventh inning to
give L.A. a two-run lead. Culberson, who had limited MLB experience
entering the game, went 1 for 2 with a sac fly and a run scored. The
Dodgers will likely miss Seager at some point this series, but not
Saturday.
2. Kershaw has a home run problem — Kershaw's postseason struggles have
been well documented, and he has done little to quell them this year.
Kershaw served up four solo home runs to the Diamondbacks in Game 1 of
the NLDS, Jacoby Ellsbury Authentic Jersey and Cubs outfielder Albert Almora blasted a two-run shot off him in the fourth inning.Kershaw allowed two runs in five innings Saturday, Joe DiMaggio Authentic Jersey which actually dropped his career postseason ERA down to 4.63. The
postseason woes of Kershaw, a three-time NL Cy Young Award winner, are
mystifying.
3. Cubs need more production from Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo — Bryant,
last season's NL MVP, went 1 for 4 with a strikeout in Game 1. He
collected just four hits in 20 at-bats against the Nationals in the
NLDS, and he has just two RBIs this postseason.
Rizzo, batting just behind Bryant, went 0 for 3 with a walk Saturday.
While Rizzo does have six RBIs this postseason, he has just four hits in
23 at-bats. The Cubs need their two stars to perk up if they are going
to return to the World Series.
Highlight:
Chris Taylor hits go-ahead home run in sixth inning:
What's Next:
NLCS Game 2 — The Dodgers will send Rich Hill to the mound to face Jon
Lester and the Cubs at 6:38 p.m. ET on TBS. Hill has made just one start
this postseason, allowing two runs (one earned) in a win over the
Diamondbacks. Lester has allowed just two runs in 9 2/3 innings this
postseason.
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