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The Dodgers and Cubs will return to play Game 2 of the NLCS tonight after a thrilling Cubs victory in Game 1. Chicago looked like they might be subjected to more cursed baseball after blowing a 3-1 lead in the eighth when Adrian Gonzalez singled off Aroldis Chapman with the bases loaded to score two runs. Cubs fans grew even more nervous when Anthony Rizzo dropped a foul ball by Yasiel Puig near the stands, bringing memories of the 2003 NLCS “Bartman game”. However Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made the curious decision to intentionally walk two hitters to load the bases to force Chapman out of the game. Miguel Montero, hitting for Chapman, put the game away with a monster grand slam off former Royals reliever Joe Blanton as Wrigley Field erupted in joy.
The Cubs will try to carry that momentum over to Game 2, but standing in their way is the best pitcher in the world, Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw is pitching on just two day’s rest after he got the save in Game 5 of the NLDS against Washington on Thursday. He’ll go against Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks, who was fantastic this year with a 2.13 ERA. The game will air at 7 CT on FS1 and the Fox Sports Go app.