Who has the edge?
Starting pitching
Aside from Game 1 starter Jon Lester, don't expect any Cubs pitchers to pitch deep unless they're throwing a shutout. Kyle Hendricks' off-speed pitches should work effectively against the Dodgers lineup. The Cubs won't face Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw until Sunday at the earliest. The Cubs didn't face 16-game winner Kenta Maeda or Kershaw this season, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Kershaw pitch on short rest if the Dodgers face elimination. Edge: Cubs.
Bullpen
The Cubs bullpen was responsible for two of their three losses to the Dodgers, but they match up extremely well with left-handers Travis Wood, Mike Montgomery and Aroldis Chapman. Rookie left-hander Rob Zastryzny pitched 3 2/3 innings of one-hit ball on Aug. 27 at Dodger Stadium. With Adam Liberatore out after elbow surgery, the Dodgers will lean on soft-tossing J.P. Howell against left-handed hitters. Closer Kenley Jansen is accustomed to working on as many as three consecutive nights. Edge: Cubs.
Offense
Justin Turner continues to get big hits, but the Dodgers need more production from the right side to prevent the Cubs from loading up with left-handed pitchers. Rookie Corey Seager looks as polished as veteran left-handed hitters Chase Utley and Adrian Gonzalez. Jason Heyward batted .360 against the Dodgers during the regular season, and the Cubs could use a big lift from him in the middle of the order unless Addison Russell gets hot. Javier Baez will remain near the bottom of the order to stretch out the lineup. Edge: Cubs.
Defense
The Dodgers don't have the greatest range up the middle, but Seager and Utley make routine plays. The addition of Carlos Ruiz in late August bolstered their catching. Cubs manager Joe Maddon has every reason to involve rookie outfielder Albert Almora Jr. with double switches after his performance in the NLDS. Baez made an inadvisable throw to second that cost the Cubs a game Aug. 28 at Dodger Stadium but has been outstanding on defense in the playoffs. Edge: Cubs.
Manager
Dave Roberts has provided a calming influence on the Dodgers roster and put his stamp on a team that has embraced sabermetrics this year. His navigation of an injury-plagued pitching staff is admirable. As he did against the Giants, Maddon will pull out all the stops and will use left-handers at any cost to shut down the Dodgers' left-handed-heavy lineup. Maddon could employ more tricks to test the Dodgers infield. Edge: Cubs.
— Mark Gonzales
Tribune staff predictions
Mark Gonzales: The Cubs have the left-handed pitching to neutralize the Dodgers' marquee left-handed hitters. Jon Lester allowed one run in 15 innings while striking out 16 against the Dodgers in 2016, and it doesn't hurt he's pitching Game 1. Cubs in 7.
David Haugh: As much respect as the Dodgers deserve, the Cubs likely just survived their toughest test in the National League. They have too much pitching, and the bats are waking up. The team that refused to lose won't. Cubs in 6.
Colleen Kane: The Cubs won four of seven regular-season meetings but didn't face Clayton Kershaw, who may have his playoff blemishes but can't be taken lightly. Still, the Cubs pitching staff as a whole has the edge, and their big bats will heat up. Cubs in 6.
Chris Kuc: The Cubs cleared their biggest hurdle en route to the pennant when they beat the Giants. The Dodgers' hopes lie with dominant starter Clayton Kershaw, but the left-hander won't be enough to stop the juggernaut Cubs. Cubs in 6.
Paul Skrbina: Clayton Kershaw leads a staff that was fifth in the NL in ERA during the regular season, but the Cubs were No. 1 behind Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks and Co. They also had the No. 2 offense, and some of the big boppers haven't heated up. Cubs in 6.
Paul Sullivan: The Cubs dig playing in sunny California. "It suits our personality, how laid-back we are," shortstop Addison Russell said. This won't be a laid-back series, though, and home-field advantage will be the difference. Cubs in 7.
Season series recaps
May 30-June 2, Wrigley Field
Cubs 2, Dodgers 0: After Jason Hammel exited with a right hamstring cramp, Travis Wood, Justin Grimm, Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon pitched seven perfect innings in a combined one-hitter.
Dodgers 5, Cubs 0: The Dodgers pitched their own one-hitter while jumping on the Cubs bullpen for five runs over the final two innings after Jake Arrieta limited them to two hits.
Cubs 2, Dodgers 1: Jon Lester struck out 10 and walked none in a complete game, and Kris Bryant hit a two-run homer.
Cubs 7, Dodgers 2: The Cubs hit four homers, three off rookie Julio Urias, and Kyle Hendricks pitched eight strong innings.
Aug. 26-28, Dodger Stadium
Cubs 6, Dodgers 4 (10): Bryant homered in the eighth and 10th, and Jason Heyward doubled and scored the tying run in the ninth on Kenley Jansen's wild pitch.
Dodgers 3, Cubs 2: Joe Maddon pulled Hammel after three runs in 2 1/3 innings. Urias struck out eight in six innings.
Dodgers 1, Cubs 0: The only run came in the eighth on a bases-loaded grounder to third baseman Javier Baez, who threw late to second as Ben Zobrist scrambled to get to the bag.
Projected Cubs roster
Probable Game 1 lineup
Dexter Fowler, CF: Six strikeouts in NLDS; needs to re-ignite offense.
Kris Bryant, 3B: Started NLDS-winning rally by beating shift.
Anthony Rizzo, 1B: Needs to quit expanding strike zone.
Ben Zobrist, LF: Ninth-inning double made up for rough NLDS.
Addison Russell, SS: Only two RBIs since Sept. 19.
Jason Heyward, RF: Playing time could decrease as games get more urgent.
Javier Baez, 2B: Prime example of why you don't give up on raw talent.
David Ross, C: Might need to hit as well as he did in Game 4 of NLDS.
Reserves
Albert Amora Jr., OF: Fearless rookie will get more opportunities.
Chris Coghlan, IF-OF: Baez's emergence has cut into his playing time.
Willson Contreras, C-OF: Getting more work as part of double switches.
Miguel Montero, C: Could be limited to games Arrieta starts.
Jorge Soler, OF: Seems relegated to part-time role.
Rotation
Jon Lester: Living up to his billing as a big-game pitcher.
Kyle Hendricks: Could get two starts if series goes six games.
Jake Arrieta: Returns to the scene of his 2015 no-hitter.
John Lackey: Should pitch better with shorter time between starts.
Bullpen
Aroldis Chapman: Dominant bounce-back performance in Game 4 of NLDS.
Carl Edwards Jr.: One of the unsung heroes of Game 4 of NLDS.
Justin Grimm: Could provide a big lift if he can retire lefties.
Mike Montgomery: Game 3 performance shows promise for 2017.
Hector Rondon: Velocity is back, but still a few rough edges.
Pedro Strop: Ready for a heavier workload.
Travis Wood: Could serve as pinch hitter if Cubs carry 12 pitchers.
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