5 reasons the Los Angeles Dodgers will upset the Chicago Cubs

Oct 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (5), starting pitcher Rich Hill (44) and left fielder Enrique Hernandez (14) celebrate beating the Chicago Cubs in game three of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

5 of 5

Oct 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) pitches during the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs in game three of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Los Angeles Dodgers Closer – Kenley Jansen

Dave Roberts has shown that his bullpen management in the playoffs has been top-tier. He’s relied on Kenley Jansen for more innings and pitches than ever before but it has worked out. But ultimately it doesn’t come down to Roberts’ decisions, it comes down to the fact that Kenley Jansen has been virtually untouchable.

Kenley Jansen has been the star of the show thus far. He has had multiple incredible performances including a couple of multi-inning saves. It started against the Washington Nationals where Jansen recorded two saves and one hold in four appearances. His one hold would have been a three-inning save but with one out, two on base, and Daniel Murphy at the plate, Dave Roberts chose to go to Clayton Kershaw for the save.

In Game 2 of the NLCS, Jansen entered the game in the 8^th inning after Clayton Kershaw went 7 scoreless. Jansen burnt right through the Cubs lineup with 4 strikeouts in 2 innings without allowing a hit or a walk. He followed that up with 1 1/3 shutout innings in Game 3 despite the 6-0 lead the Dodgers had.

Next: Best Starting Pitchers in MLB History

Jansen has allowed the Chicago Cubs to have only one baserunner and it came via a broken bat single by Anthony Rizzo. His cut-fastball sawed right through Rizzo’s bat but the ball was out of the infielders’ reach since they were playing a deep shift. Jansen looks dialed in, and if the Cubs want to find a way to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, they’ll need to get through him.

Home/Los Angeles Dodgers