So we looked at the first LDS matchup the other day and now it's time to peep out the other side of the bracket. This one is serious. Red Sox-Cubs, Tubes-Willie. Two playoff regulars, battling it out to see who will keep their LCS streak alive!
Yes, these two teams have both appeared in back-to-back League Championship serieses, but only one can make it to a third in a row. Plus this series also features the defending champ, so a lot of eyes on this one.
Let's get into it with this season's head-to-head stats:
Woof. This one was all Cubbies in the regular season, including a second half sweep of the Sox in the Fens. If you go back to last season, the Cubs skipper has won ten of the last 13. Yikes.
We're guessing that's roughly what it has felt like for the Sox skipper over that span, but it is speculation. To be fair, until a tailspin to end the season, the Cubs were the highest scoring offense in the league, and they had their way with a lot of teams. but anything can happen in the playoffs, where Bill Russells can become kings.
In the season series it was the usual suspects for the Cubbies, with Little Joe Morgan being the igniter, reaching base at a .583 clip against the Red Sox. "The Flower" Ron LeFlore, Darrell "The Substitute Teacher" Porter and Bobby "No Mercy" Murcer also did some damage, combining for 29 hits, 14 runs and 16 RBIs. The offense did not hold back in the season series, but the Cubbies offense did kind of limp to the finish. Now, there is a piece of thinking that might say that's good news for the Red Sox as the offense is struggling, but in reality I think the Cubs offense will be due to get going again.
Okay, okay, let's peep the pitching matchups to start this series and how they did against this opponent:
Game 1: at Boston; El Nino Espinosa (1-0, 4.72 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) vs Dennis "The Menace" Leonard (1-1, 4.80 ERA, 1.67 WHIP)
Game 2: at Boston; Mark "Country" Littell (0-0, HLD, 2.70 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) vs JR Richard (0-2, 4.20 ERA, 1.80 WHIP)
Game 3: at Chicago; Doyle Alexander (1-1, 4.85 ERA, 1.77 WHIP) vs Larry Gura (0-0, 3.60 ERA, 1.4000 WHIP)
Alexander and Leonard both had good starts against the Cubs with their former clubs, but were knocked around a bit when they donned the Sox unis. So some silver linings there for the Sox anyways is that they know their starters can get it done versus the Cubbies.
One key to really getting it going will be someone outside of The Cobra producing on offense, especially Larry Hisle. In their last series, he went 0-11, with two walks. If he doesn't get going it could be a quick exit for the Red Sox for sure. However, the Cubs will have to try and contain Le Grand Orange and Captain Sal who both posted an OPS over 1.000 in the season series. For the Sox, it'll really come down to doing a better job with runners in scoring position. Sox hit just .209 against the Cubbies in that category.
I have a hunch this will not be as lopsided as the season series was, but I still think Cubs in six and they will handle the victory with great sportsmanship and class.
Meanwhile in Cleveland...
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