NLCS 2017: Five X-factors which will help Chicago Cubs defeat LA Dodgers

No. 3: Edwards on the Hill

There are few pitchers Cubs manager Joe Maddon has trusted more than Carl Edwards Jr. And, Edwards has often proven Maddon right. The young, thin pitcher is not intimidating at first sight. When the ball comes firing out of his hand, however, batters are on notice.

It worked for the Cubs more times than not. Edwards finished the regular season with a 2.98 ERA, and a strikeout-to-walk rate of 2.47. Not a bad line. When Edwards is on, his fastball is crisp and his curveball nasty. Where he gets in trouble is when he can’t find the strike-zone.

Look no further than the NLDS versus the Washington Nationals. Edwards pitched in every game. In Game 1, he pitched a inning and struck out two. Game 2? There he faced four batters. While he struck out one, he walked one and gave up two hits, including a home run to Bryce Harper. He was tagged for three runs and the loss.

He bounced back the next game and picked up the win. However, in Game 4, he did not record an out and allowed two earned runs. Those runs were due to walks he allowed. The Cubs won the series, but Edwards was not at his best.

The good news? He faced the Dodgers twice this year, and put up zeros. Let’s see if he can repeat the performance in the NLCS. He did it last postseason, too.