The Chicago Cubs avoided the series sweep by beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 on Wednesday night. Now, if the defending World Series champions want to live to fight another day, they’ll have to overcome L.A. staff ace Clayton Kershaw on Thursday while countering with their own southpaw starter in Jose Quintana. If you’re wondering which NLCS Game 5 odds you should bet on in Thursday’s matchup, look no further, with this expert analysis you will be all set.
“It’s probably just a testament to the team we have more than anything,” Kershaw said. “The way we’ve been playing and how everybody has been able to contribute and everybody has been stepping up. There’s been no need to do that, which is a good luxury to have.”
Quintana has fared well in these playoffs despite not having a win to show for it. He pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings in the NLDS against the Nationals, and he gave up two runs in his five innings in Game 1 of this series.
Quintana, who came to the Cubs from the White Sox across town in a July 13 trade, says he feels his teammates support despite their postseason struggles with him on the mound.
“They don’t have any panic,” Quintana said. “Nobody has panicked. Everybody goes [about their business] like a team, doing their best, and we need to do a lot of things now. We’re ready to go. We have a really good team, a lot of talent, and we can do so.
“Like they say, one game at a time.”
Cubs Host the Dodgers as NLCS Game 5 Odds Underdog
One at a time. #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/8AXd7vlDBO
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) 19 de octubre de 2017
- When: Thursday, October 19, 8:00 PM ET
- Where: Wrigley Field
- TV: TBS
- Radio: 670 The Score, 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020, ESPN Radio
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- NLCS Game 5 Odds: Los Angeles Dodgers -160 (Total set at 7)
Weather Forecast
- Clear: 15°C/59°F
- Humidity: 55%
- Precipitation: 2%
- Cloud Cover: 0%
- Wind: 5 mph SSE
- Stadium Type: Open
Updated 2017 World Series Odds To Win – October 13th Edition
Head to Head Statistics (Last 10 Games)
- Runs: Los Angeles Dodgers 3.90 / Chicago Cubs 1.80
- Hits: Los Angeles Dodgers 6.50 / Chicago Cubs 5.50
- Walks: Los Angeles Dodgers 5.30 / Chicago Cubs 2.50
- Strike Outs: Los Angeles Dodgers 9.40 / Chicago Cubs 10.10
- Over/Under: Los Angeles Dodgers 1-8 / Chicago Cubs 1-8
Starting Pitchers
Chicago Cubs – Jose Quintana – L – (0-0, 1.59 ERA) Jose Quintana (11-11, 4.15 ERA, 207 K) has been very good in two starts this postseason even though the left-hander has taken a pair of no-decisions in two starts and one relief appearance. However, it should be noted that Quintana did give up two earned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out four in five solid innings opposite Kershaw in Chicago’s 5-2 loss in Game 1 of the NLCS Los Angeles Dodgers – Clayton Kershaw – L – (1-0, 4.76 ERA) Clayton Kershaw (18-4, 2.31 ERA, 202 K) also tossed five innings in Game 1 against Chicago while allowing two earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out four. The big difference in the game was that L.A.’s relievers tossed four perfect innings after his exit while Chicago’s bullpen gave up three runs. The good news is that Kershaw won his only career start in a potential series-clinching game, by tossing six scoreless innings in the 2013 NLDS.Game Analysis
The Cubs cut Los Angeles’ series lead to 3-1 on Wednesday night, thanks mostly to a pair of home runs from Javier Baez and another long ball from Willson Contreras that accounted for all of Chicago’s runs. Baez was 0-for-20 entering Wednesday’s game. “Since the series before I’ve been trying to get a base hit so hard,” Baez said after the win. “Tonight, I just said to myself ‘not to try too much,’ and I didn’t, and there you have it. I had two good contacts and [we] win the game by one run.” “Just give him credit for sticking with it,” said Cubs manager Joe Maddon afterward. “Very difficult start to the postseason for him, and that’s what he can do. … His entire game is spectacular. When young guys like that really struggle, you’ve got to stay with him. It was a really good matchup for him tonight. He took advantage of it. Give him a lot of credit.” The Dodgers lost for the first time this postseason while the Cubs took the first step toward becoming the second team in Major League history to overcome an 0-3 series deficit. To pull off the near-miraculous feat, Maddon says he knows the answer, no matter what the NLCS Game 5 Odds are. “We have to elevate our game offensively,” Maddon said. “It’s just that simple. It’s not about maybe, kind of, hopefully. We’ve got to do it. “How do you do that? You have to stick with your game plan. You’ve got to be more centered. You’ve got to be a tougher out with two strikes and move the baseball in those situations. We’re capable of doing all those things. That’s what needs to occur for the next three games against Los Angeles.”Inside the Bullpen
Despite the NLCS Game 5 Odds, Chicago could have a shot with Kershaw clearly not at his very best this postseason. The three-time NL Cy Young winner has a high, 4.67 ERA and has issued an uncharacteristic four walks in 11.1 innings this October after going 18-4 with a 2.31 ERA during the regular season despite missing more than a month with back problems.
“It’s probably just a testament to the team we have more than anything,” Kershaw said. “The way we’ve been playing and how everybody has been able to contribute and everybody has been stepping up. There’s been no need to do that, which is a good luxury to have.”
Quintana has fared well in these playoffs despite not having a win to show for it. He pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings in the NLDS against the Nationals, and he gave up two runs in his five innings in Game 1 of this series.
Quintana, who came to the Cubs from the White Sox across town in a July 13 trade, says he feels his teammates support despite their postseason struggles with him on the mound.
“They don’t have any panic,” Quintana said. “Nobody has panicked. Everybody goes [about their business] like a team, doing their best, and we need to do a lot of things now. We’re ready to go. We have a really good team, a lot of talent, and we can do so.
“Like they say, one game at a time.”
Latest NLCS Game 5 Betting Trends
- Cubs are 10-3 SU in their last 13 games at home
- Cubs are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers
- The total went UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs’s last 5 games at home
- Dodgers are 8-1 SU in their last 9 games
- Dodgers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games on the road
- The total went UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games on the road
