So the season is over. A strange one based on expectations, but it is still the case that the Cubs and Indians have the best two records through the second half, which, of course, when pennants and championships are won or lost. There is also a certain advantage to playing the best baseball at the end of the season and to playing meaningful games late in the year. The Cubs have certainly done that.
After the Brewers swept the Cubs at home, the team won fifteen of the final nineteen games, going nine and two against their division rivals, eight of which games were on the road. They are coming into the NLDS as a hot team and a pretty healthy one with the exception of some questions about Jake Arrieta. The Nationals have their own issues with Max Scherzer whose injury may be minor or significant. The Nationals also have some concerns about Harper, though he looked good in the final game of the season.
The Cubs have some decisions to make with respect to their starting rotation, especially if Arrieta is still recovering from his injury. He was not sharp in his last start and the fact he skipped his scheduled Sunday start is of some concern. All in all, Hendricks has been the Cubs best pitcher in the second half and has certainly earned the opening game start. Apparently Maddon has narrowed the choice to Hendricks or Lester. I can understand picking Lester in view of his playoff experience and the fact the Nationals have a strong left-handed hitting lineup. However, Lester has been off most of the year and not too great in September. Unless Arrieta is especially impressive in his simulated game Wednesday, I kind of think Quintana gets the third game.
This is going to be a tough series, but I like the Cubs chances for all the reasons cited above. Also, this team is really deep at all the positions. They honestly have guys who could start on most teams relegated to the bench half the time at every spot. Few teams can match that kind of flexibility.
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