(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Instead of rehashing game one of the NLCS in my own words, here’s a recap of the Chicago Cubs’ big 8-4 win Saturday night in the words of others, by way of Twitter. The Cubs opened the scoring in the first inning after Dexter Fowler singled to center, and Kris Bryant doubled him home.

The Dodgers threatened in the top of the second after Kenta Maeda singled to left with a pair of runners on and two outs. However, Adrian Gonzalez, who tried to score from second, was thrown out at home by former Ray Ben Zobrist.

Then in the bottom of the frame, Jason Heyward tripled into the right-field corner before Javier Baez plated Chicago’s second run of the night on a double to center.

Baez advanced to third on a wild pitch with Jon Lester at the plate, then swiped home for the third run of the night (and the second of the inning) — becoming the first Cub to steal home in the postseason since 1907.

Lester, who bent but didn’t break, didn’t allow a run until the fifth inning when Andre Ethier back-spun a homer to left-field, bringing Los Angeles within a pair. From there things were quiet until the top of the eighth, when Los Angeles tied the game against Joe Maddon’s bullpen.

Yet the Cubs still had some of that game four magic still up their sleeves when Joe Blanton took the mound in the bottom of the inning.

In a calculated move to get Aroldis Chapman out of the game, Dave Roberts intentionally walked the bases loaded to get to the hurlers spot in the lineup.

However, Miguel Montero, who entered the game as a pinch hitter, had other ideas.

Dexter Fowler then punctuated Roberts’ terrible call one batter later, hitting a solo shot to put the Cubs up by five.

It’s true, that is a pretty telling photo.

Toles doubled in a run in the ninth to put the Dodgers back by four, but it was a little too late by that point.

Game over, Fly the W!

The New What Next

After collecting a save in Game 5 of the NLDS, Clayton Kershaw (12-4, 1.69 ERA) will take the mound looking to end his postseason struggles as a starter. Kershaw is 3-6 with a 4.79 ERA in 16 playoff games (12 starts). Kyle Hendricks (16-8, 2.13 ERA), who was 9-2 with a 1.32 ERA in 15 home games this season, will get the start for the Cubs.

Cubs 10/16/16 Starting Lineup

Fowler CF
Bryant 3B
Rizzo 1B
Zobrist LF
Russell SS
Baez 2B
Contreras C
Heyward RF
Hendricks P

Dodgers 10/16/16 Starting Lineup

Utley 2B
Seager SS
Turner 3B
González 1B
Reddick RF
Pederson CF
Grandal C
Toles LF
Kershaw P

Noteworthiness

— In Rays news, Josh Lowe, who was the top draft pick in 2016 as a third baseman, has moved to centerfield during Instructional League play and could take over the position on a full-time basis. Lowe is considered to be athletic enough to handle an outfield role, and also ranks as an accomplished pitcher. According to MLB.com (in its scouting report) a return to the mound could be a possibility if the 18 year-old doesn’t develop as a position player.

— Per Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) there is mutual interest in having free agent LHP Dana Eveland back to compete for a job in spring training. Eveland was outrighted by Tampa Bay last week and elected for free agency. Chris Archer, who again was given the opportunity to do ESPN TV and radio work during the World Series, said the experience  fuels him to play for a ring:

That environment is something I want to experience from the player side, and the more and more I can be there, the more desire and drive I have to be there.

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