NL Divisional Series

National League Divisional Series Preview!!!

Nationals vs Cubs:

I'm a White Sox fan, and as a Sox fan, I'm supposed to hate the Cubs.  I don't.  I don't like them, but I don't mind them.  I was happy for the franchise when they took the World Series in 2016, but as long as they're not playing the White Sox... they're OK to me.  Anyway, Cubs were led by MVP candidate Kris Bryant as well as Anthony Rizzo.  The strong pitching the Cubs had last year had sort of evened out this year as Kyle Hendricks was their best pitcher, but their rotation was for the most part, solid.  Not much changed for the Cubs, as why tinker with what works?  Anyway, Cubs are looking to repeat......

BUT BRYCE HARPER SAYS NOT SO FAST.  Nationals, for like the 7th year running, are trying to win not only the World Series, but at least the NL.  Nationals stayed strong the entire season, despite having a miserable bullpen for the first... 60% of the season.  Also had to deal with a near season ending injury to Bryce Harper.  But there were other contributors to the Nats winning the East (of course) like Anthony Rendon and Daniel Murphy, along with Harper.  Pitching, they were led by the ever dominating Max Scherzer, but also had Cy Young seasons from Gio Gonzalez as well as Stephen Strasburg.  Nats could go 3 starters with a hefty pen and feel pretty good.

As for the series, Nationals are pretty much ahead in Chicago in all aspects... but the issue in a 5 game series is that its too small a sample size for anything to really matter.  On paper, the Nats should take the series, and I think they will... but it would not shock me to see the Cubs win the series.
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Diamondbacks vs Dodgers:

The Diamondbacks advanced after winning the WC play in game and their prize is playing the Dodgers.  You can read about what I wrote about the Dbacks here.

The Dodgers took the crown of Best in MLB this season winning 104 games.  They were at one point on track to win about 112, which is insane!  But they cooled down and ONLY won 104.  Sad.  Led by Clayton "God" Kershaw again, who even in a down year, is still one of the top pitchers in baseball.  That's how good he is.  The rest of the staff is solid, if not unspectacular, except star closer Kenley Jensen.  But, it was the offense that really led the charge for the Dodgers.  Justin Turner & Corey Seager posting above 5.0 WAR and rookie Cody Bellinger making an impact... even Yansiel Puig had a solid season! Top to bottom a pretty great lineup.

So its DIamondbacks pitching vs Dodgers batting in essence.  Dodgers didn't get to where they are by faltering to good pitching... but you know... 5 games series.  Just to be different, I say Dbacks make the big upset and make Kershaw playoff confused!

See you in the Championship Series!