Chicago Cubs 8 – 4 Los Angeles Dodgers
While this wasn’t a must win game for either team, history tells us that the winner of game 5 in LCS history goes on to win the series 70% of the time. The Cubs won in dominating fashion, putting them one win away from their first World Series appearance since 1945.
The Cubs struck first, scoring in the top of the first on an Anthony Rizzo double. LA tied it up in the fourth on a ground out by Adrian Gonzalez, but failed to score again until the eighth inning. By the time the Dodgers plated another run, Chicago had jumped out to an 8-1 lead and were firmly in control of the game.
The Cubs bats had been largely quiet in games 2 & 3 of the series, getting shut out in both affairs. But the last two games in Los Angeles saw them score a total of 18 runs, getting back to the basics that allowed them to lead the league in scoring during the regular season. Chicago compiled 13 hits and four walks, so despite hitting just 3-15 with RISP, they were able to create enough opportunities to score runs.
The series heads back to Chicago on Saturday where it will be Clayton Kershaw against Kyle Hendricks