Photos: Dodgers Dominate Cubs Again, Claim 2-1 Lead In NLCS
Chicago Cubs' Jason Heyward tosses his bat after striking out during the seventh inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Chicago Cubs' Jason Heyward tosses his bat after striking out during the seventh inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)]()
Los Angeles Dodgers' Josh Reddick steals second with Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez covering during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
![Los Angeles Dodgers' Josh Reddick steals second with Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez covering during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Chicago Cubs players watch during the eighth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
![Chicago Cubs players watch during the eighth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)]()
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen throws during the eighth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
![Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen throws during the eighth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)]()
Los Angeles Dodgers' Corey Seager hits a single during the seventh inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Los Angeles Dodgers' Corey Seager hits a single during the seventh inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)]()
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal reacts after Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant strikes out during the eighth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
![Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal reacts after Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant strikes out during the eighth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant hits a single during the sixth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant hits a single during the sixth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)]()
Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo walks back to the dugout after flying out during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
![Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo walks back to the dugout after flying out during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Los Angeles Dodgers' Joc Pederson steals third with Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant covering during the eighth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Los Angeles Dodgers' Joc Pederson steals third with Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant covering during the eighth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)]()
Chicago Cubs' Dexter Fowler hits a double during the eighth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Chicago Cubs' Dexter Fowler hits a double during the eighth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)]()
Chicago Cubs' Chris Coghlan is out at first as Los Angeles Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez (23) touches the bag during the seventh inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
![Chicago Cubs' Chris Coghlan is out at first as Los Angeles Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez (23) touches the bag during the seventh inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)]()
Chicago Cubs' Chris Coghlan is out at first as Los Angeles Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez (23) touches the bag during the seventh inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Chicago Cubs' Chris Coghlan is out at first as Los Angeles Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez (23) touches the bag during the seventh inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)]()
Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon takes starter Jake Arrieta out of the game during the sixth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
![Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon takes starter Jake Arrieta out of the game during the sixth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Los Angeles Dodgers' Justin Turner rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
![Los Angeles Dodgers' Justin Turner rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball championship series against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
If the Cubs are to reach their first World Series in over 70 years, they’ll have to do it by rallying from behind.
The Los Angeles Dodgers took a 2-1 NLCS lead on Tuesday night in front of their home crowd, blanking the Cubs, 6-0, and handing Chicago a second consecutive shutout loss. A sterling performance from starting pitcher and curveball sorcerer Rich Hill led the way; the Dodgers offense delivered against Jake Arrieta often; and Cubs’ bats once again failed to come through.
Dodgers batters knocked Cubs pitchers for 10 hits and 6 runs, but the story of the night was Hill. The onetime Cub and reclamation-project miracle struck out six and allowed only two hits and four base runners through six innings. As in Game Two against ace Clayton Kershaw, the Cubs had little in the way of answers for the dominating starter. To be sure, Hill made some mistakes—especially in a long second inning that ramped up his pitch count—but even then the visitors couldn't capitalize.
The series deficit is hardly insurmountable, and Wednesday night's matchup of Cubs playoff performer John Lackey vs. 20-year-old Julio Urías—the youngest starter in MLB playoff history—favors Chicago. But if the Cubs hope to continue their magical run to the end, they'll need to shake off this offensive funk and find a way to turn back into the club that posted a whopping +252 run differential in the regular season. For real, #LetsGetSomeRuns.
