NLDS Game 3 Recap

The Cubs will try to do something later today that they’ve never done in their 99 year history at Wrigley Field. Since the Weeghman Park days starting in 1916, the Chicago Cubs have never won a playoff series at Wrigley Field. Last night, the Cubs won their first playoff game at Wrigley since 2003, and today, the Cubs will have a shot at winning their first series at Wrigley when they face the St.Louis Cardinals.

Last night, the Cubs took down the Cardinals in Game 3 of the NLDS, 8-6. Despite a rare, poor performance by Chicago starting pitcher Jake Arrieta, the Cubs went yard six different times, which was enough to combat Arrieta’s four earned runs allowed. All of the home runs were solo shots for the Cubs, except for Jorge Soler’s two run shot in sixth inning with one out. Despite the poor start, Arrieta still picked up the win, giving him an 18-1, 1.00 ERA stat line in his last 22 starts, dating back to June 21.

For the Cardinals, Michael Wacha took the loss giving up six hits and four earned runs in 4.1 innings pitched. The Cardinals run support came in part from a solo shot by Jason Heyward in the sixth inning, and a two run homer in the ninth inning by Stephen Piscotty.

Today’s game starts at 4:37 PM with Jason Hammel getting the start for Chicago, and John Lackey taking the mound for St. Louis.

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With Matt Harvey getting the start for the Mets in his first ever playoff appearance, many fans expected a pitching duel between New York and Los Angeles. Instead, the Mets would go on to win 13-7 over the Dodgers. The Mets main run support came from Curtis Granderson and his five RBI day, and Yoenis Cespedes and Travis d’Arnaud’s three RBI performances.

The Dodgers would set the pace early off of a three run inning and a key hit by Yasmani Grandal off of Harvey, but wouldn’t score again until the seventh inning off of an Adrian Gonzalez solo homer. In that time, the Mets would put up a 10 run scoring outburst between the second and fourth innings.

The Mets held a 13-4 lead going into the ninth inning, but Howie Kendrick’s three run homer would make the score more respectable.  The Mets meanwhile broke their postseason scoring record posting 13 runs.

For the Dodgers, Brett Anderson would earn the first postseason loss of his career, giving up six earned runs in three innings before being pulled from the game.

Today’s game starts at 8:07 PM and will feature Mets rookie, Steven Matz getting the start for New York in only his seventh career start; the Dodgers will pitch lefty Clayton Kershaw at Citi Field.