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Photos: Dodgers Dominate Cubs Again, Claim 2-1 Lead In NLCS

By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 19, 2016 5:00AM


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 UrĂ­as—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.