2015 NLCS Preview

Here we go. After a long 162 game schedule, a tough wild card game and an even tough National League Divisional Round, we are set to go with the National League Championship Series. There are two teams left standing, the winner punches their ticket to the World Series and wins a Pennant. Both teams playing are looking to shed a cloak of mediocrity. One team hasn't won a title in over 100 years, while the other hasn't won a title in 29 years. This will be the first NCLS since 2007 that does not feature either the Philadelphia Phillies or St. Louis Cardinals

The National League Championship Series pits the National League Wild Card winners the Chicago Cubs taking on the National League East Champions the New York Mets. Chicago got here by going 97-65, good for 3rd place in the NL Central. They then took out the Pirates in the Wild Card game and beat the Cardinals in four games in the NLDS. Chicago is making its first appearance in the NLCS since their 2003 loss to the Marlins. Chicago is 28-55 lifetime in the playoffs, with two World Series to their credit. Chicago is trying to get back to the World Series for the first time since 1945. Meanwhile, the Mets got here by winning the NL East with a 90-72 record. Then in the Divisional Round, they bet the Dodgers in a five game series. New York has a record of 43-31 in the post season, capturing two World Series Titles. New York is looking to get back to the World Series for the first time since 2000. These two teams have never faced eachother before in the playoffs. During the regular season, Chicago won all seven meetings between the two teams.

Here are the dates and times of every game in this series:
October 17 Chicago Cubs @ New York Mets Citi Field 7:30 PM
October 18 Chicago Cubs @ New York Mets Citi Field 7:30 PM
October 20 New York Mets @ Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field
October 21 New York Mets @ Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field
October 22† New York Mets @ Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field
October 24† Chicago Cubs @ New York Mets Citi Field
October 25† Chicago Cubs @ New York Mets Citi Field

So now that we know how they got here and when they're playing, here's how these two teams stack up. When it comes to pitching, the Mets have the advantage. As good as Lester and Arrieta are for the Cubs, the Mets foursome of deGrom, Syndergard, Harvey, and Matz have the advantage. Harvey’s pitching compadres, deGrom and Syndergaard were fantastic against the Dodgers in the NLDS. deGrom started Games 1 and 5 and he was feeling it in both games. Harvey and Thor both came up big when they needed to, so it was fantastic to watch. With the Cubs, Outside of Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester there isn't much. I know Lester got nipped in game one against the Cards, but after that the rest of the pitching staff settled down and held the Cards in check, something that was tough to do considering St. Louis won 100 regular season games. What helps get the Mets is that they have the deeper starting rotation to help get them over the hump in a series. As a matter of fact, it was the Mets starting pitching that helped get them through the heart of the summer, until the offense finally woke up and came alive late in the season. The bullpens are pretty evenly matched, so edge in pitching goes to the Mets.

From an offensive perspective, Chicago has an edge going into the series. A lot of people say that experience matters come this time of year. yeah, nobody has told that to these two teams, as they've beaten the two more experienced playoff teams in  the National League to get here. Sure the Mets have gotten big hits from Travis d'Arnaud, Yoenis Cespedes, and on occasion David Wright. Daniel Murphy has been the Mets best hitter so far in the playoffs, and there's nothing wrong with that. But the fact that Flores, Duda, Lagares and on occasion Granderson have been quiet in the post season have to leave one wondering. While most ball clubs have one or two guys that can hurt you with a long ball regularly, the Cubs literally have an entire lineup card full of players that can touch ‘em all in any at-bat. But the most fascinating part about Chicago’s dangerous lineup is just how young most of these Cubs are. Look no further than Kyle Schwarber, who has been knocking the cover off the ball in both the Wild Card and Divisional Rounds. He has been hitting the ball just as hard as the top hitters, like Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo. Chicago has a lineup that, yes they have the tendancy to strike out more than the Mets do, have a bit more dangerous of a lineup top to bottom than that of the Mets.

This series could very easily swing either way as this matchup between two very good teams, with lots of young talent could be the best of the postseason. The difference in this series could be very marginal, and really could come down to one swing of the bat. And the Cubs, despite their free-swinging ways, have been too hot to pick against. But don’t be surprised if this series goes seven games.

Pick: 
Solly: Chicago Cubs in 7
Steve: Chicago Cubs in 6