Dodgers: Three Takeaways From the Series Win Over the Cubs

Cubs the biggest threat to the Dodgers?

On the surface, the Cubs lost three of four games in Los Angeles this past weekend but when you dig deeper it was a highly contested series.  The biggest win in the series was by four runs and the other three games were decided by one or two runs.  Chicago did also not have Craig Kimbrel in this series but he will certainly be available if the two teams match up in October.

Like the Dodgers, the Cubs’ pen has been questionable but Kimbrel will help slide everyone down an inning.  The Cubs also have the talent and experience to be a real thorn in the Dodgers’ side come October.  Chicago can throw three left-handed starters at the Dodgers if they choose to, which has been the strategy most teams use against the blue.  Cole Hamels, Jon Lester, and Kyle Hendricks are also playoff tested starters.

Outside of their rotation the Cubs still have a solid championship winning core of Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, and Willson Contreras who are not afraid to see the Dodgers in the postseason.  Out of potential teams, the Dodgers would want to see in October, the Cubs are not going to be at the top of that list.