The Cubs live to play another day with a clutch 3-2 win over the Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS.
The Chicago Cubs stayed alive in the 2017 National League Championship Series with a clutch 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Game 4 was more like a home run derby with five dingers on the night between the two teams. The Cubs got on the board first, but in Game 4 they found support through Jake Arrieta and the bullpen to maintain their lead for the first time in the series. Cubs manager Joe Maddon was ejected after a heated exchange in the top of the 8th after a questionable overturned call, but his team pulled off the win in his absence.
It was Willson Contreras who got things going early with a blast to left to put the Cubs up 1-0 in the 2nd inning. Javier Baez got in on the fun with a homer of his own to give the Cubs a 2-0 lead.
Cody Bellinger put the Dodgers on the board in the top of the 3rd with a long ball of his own, but Baez homered again in the 5th to extend the Cubs’ lead to 3-1. Justin Turner put the Dodgers within a run with a home run to deep center field for his 11th RBI of the postseason. 3-2 Cubs.
Jake Arrieta worked 6.2 innings and only allowed three hits and one run with an impressive nine punchouts. There’s no question that Arrieta’s postseason experience gave him the edge tonight over Alex Wood, who only stayed in the game 4.2 innings after allowing four hits and three earned runs. While Wood was lights out during the regular season, this was his first career postseason start, and in the end, experience won out.
Highlights
Three Stars
Javier Baez, 2B, Cubs: Javier Baez gave the Cubs some breathing room with his two home runs. The Cubs needed strong bats in Game 4 to stay alive in the NLCS
Jake Arrieta, P, Cubs: The postseason veteran came into Game 4 in a must-win scenario and delivered nine strikeouts while holding the Dodgers to one run over 62 innings of work. The Cubs have struggled with maintaining their leads in the NLCS, and Arrieta’s performance in Game 4 was crucial in turning this trend around for Chicago.
Justin Turner, 3B, Dodgers: Justin Turner delivered his 11th RBI of the postseason with a huge home run that put the Dodgers within one run of the Cubs.
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Next Game
With the critical Cubs win in Game 4 the action moves on to Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. ET. The game will air on TBS. Jose Quintana will be on the mound for the Cubs while the Dodgers will look to finish things off with ace Clayton Kershaw on the mound.