NLCS 2017: 5 reasons the Cubs can beat the Dodgers

3. Schedule

Most people are likely looking at this reasoning with the side eye, thinking I may have lost my mind. Why in the world would playing extra games and not getting a lot of rest benefit a team? The Dodgers are rested, which would seem to be a more important factor given how teams are approaching the 170-game mark of the season. The Dodgers have had the advantage of all their pitchers resting and being ready to go. I actually believe this could be a slight disadvantage.

Baseball players are creatures of habit. They play basically every day for six months. Now, when the games matter most, the Dodgers have been off for four full days. That’s difficult to retain your timing as a hitter. It makes it hard to keep the sharpness in your pitches. Sure, players can practice during the off days. Hitters can go to the batting cage. Pitchers can throw bullpen sessions. Nothing is going to replace being between the lines in a real game. That’s even truer when the intensity ratchets up and the right to go play in the World Series is on the line. The fact that the Cubs have kept playing while the Dodgers have had to sit and wait could come into play. How many times have you heard an analyst say the Wild Card round can hurt the division winner because of the layoff? The Dodgers have been out of action at the worst possible moment.