MLB - LA Dodgers v Chicago Cubs
Game 2 was a disaster for the Cubs,4 errors that all lead to runs and once again regular season form meant nothing as the Dodgers are full of confidence and swinging their bats,this was the Series I was most looking forward to as I thought it would be a real contest but up to this point it has been a mis match of gigantic poportions,the Dubs now can't score runs while the Dodgers full of themselves can'y help but score runs,this Series could be over today and I have to say if the Cubs had gone with Lilly today as their starter I would be on them but with harden up then it is a far different game altogether,Harden has been giving up runs and against a Dodgers side that is hot right now it is to much to bear for him,Lily the leftie woiuld of been my pick to start to day and as he is'nt there I have major doubts over the Cubs getting over the line tonight,however just like yesterday I see a great bet on the total in this game and for our secopnd big bet of the Play offs we have to take the over on this game.
The Dodgers go for the sweep as they send Kuroda 9-10 with an era of 3.73 to the hill,The Dodgers behind Kuroda have won 4 of Kurodas last 5 starts but lost his last against the Giants to finish the regular season off,Kuroda has numbers in his last 3 games of 1-0 with an era of 1.69,Kuroda has faced the Cubs this season in 2 starts in which he has thrown 15 innings of work and has given up nothing but 1 earned on 11 hits with 3 walks to leave him with Career numbers against the Cubs of 1-1 with an era of 0.59,Post season play and Kuroda has no experience.
The Cubs look to stay alive with Harden 10-2 with an era of 2.07 heading to the mound,The Cubs behind Harden have won 8 of his last 9 but he to lost his last regular season game against the Mets,Harden has numbers in those last 3 starts of 1-0 with an era of 2.65,Harden has never faced the Dodgers but does have post season experience starting 3 games but winning only once,he has thrown 7 innings of work in Post season play and has given up 5 earned on 7 hits with 2 Home Runs and 7 walks.
The Cubs have gone from world beaters to being beaten easily and although many had high hopes for them including me they have ran head first into the one other National league side that no one would of wanted to play,the Dodgers have entered the post season with a bang and they will be hard to stop,they are getting it done on the mound and at the plate and I rate them to go all the way and win the MLB this season,it would seem the Dodgers run scoring woes are long behind them now and the Cubs great run scoring of this season is looking like decades ago also.
Both these starters are good but the Confidence the Dodgers will have now concerns me greatly for the Cubbies,Russell Martin although he does'nt get talked up was in the All Star game this season and had the best performance in that game from a Catcher that I have ever seen and now since then he has become for me the Premier catcher in the majors and the team spirit and effort is really showing out for them,the Cubs have all the talent but have not lived up to expectations but I am going to say that it's not the Cubs that are failing although those 4 errors looked really bad in Game 2 it's more that the Dodgers are just going that good right now.
The Cubs need to get on the board as the Dodgers have shown given a chance that they will hit the ball when it matters now so this game is more about the Cubs trying to mount pressure rather than just compete,look for the Cubs to just try and get on the board here and make the Dodgers chase the game,the real problem for the Cubs is that the Dodgers have already gotten to their bullpen and that is a worry if harden does'nt deliver,however the Cubs should have some confidence as they to hit in some off the Diodgers Bullpen to finish game 2,all in all I am expecting both sides to score and for this total to go over...Good Luck.




























