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Cubs ready to even Championship Series against Mets
Sunday’s Say Hey, Baseball includes Jake Arrieta vs. Noah Syndergaard, a potential replacement for Harold Reynolds and Joe Buck, and the worst blown call in MLB history. Subscribe for your daily Say Hey!
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The Cubs have been here before. In the last 30 years, they have been knocked out of the NLCS three times, twice after starting the series with a 1-0 deficit. In fact, of their 18 total postseason attempts, the Cubs have yet to clinch a Championship Series, since their 12 World Series showdowns took place before the invention of the qualifying playoff rounds in 1969. Despite Matt Harvey’s masterful performance on Saturday, this could be the year the Cubs finally tick off every box on their way to another Fall Classic.
Sunday’s Game 2 will start at 8 p.m. ET with the Cubs’ Jake Arrieta against Mets rookie Noah Syndergaard. Syndergaard is no Harvey, but he knocked out 166 batters in 2015 and shut out the Dodgers in one inning of relief during Game 5 of the NLDS, smoking the strike zone with an arsenal of 100 mph fastballs. On the other hand, Arrieta may be the Cubs’ best chance of getting back on their feet -- that is, if he can replicate his dominant regular season numbers. The right-hander cracked against the Cardinals in Game 3 of the NLDS, striking out nine batters but allowing five hits and four runs over 5 2/3 innings.
Over in Kansas City, the Royals boosted their ALCS lead to 2-0 against the Blue Jays with a definitive 6-3 win on Saturday. If they go for a sweep, they’ll have to complete the series in Toronto, where Games 3-5 will be played. Game 3 commences on Monday at 8:07 p.m. ET, when the Royals will pit Johnny Cueto against Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman. While the Blue Jays will be afforded a certain advantage in their home park, it will take more than a few timely home runs from Jose Bautista if they want to keep their hat in the ring.
- Emotions were running high during Game 2 of the ALCS, especially for Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista.
- If you need another scapegoat for the Blue Jays’ collapse, look no further than Lance Stephenson.
- You don’t mess with the Mets on Snapchat and get away with it.
- Who is more suited to call the ALCS: Harold Reynolds and Joe Buck, or morning talk show hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan?
- Hindsight can be a blessing and a curse. Here’s how the Pirates -- and every MLB contender -- fared after the 2015 trade deadline.
- Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke is ready to opt out of his contract, and the Yankees might have a spot open for him.
- Seventeen years ago, the Padres suffered from the worst blown call in baseball history.
- What can Mike Matheny do to help the Cardinals avoid pitcher arm injuries?
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