Dodgers Stay Hot with Win Over Cubs
The Los Angeles Dodgers have orchestrated one of the most impressive regular season turnarounds in recent memory, going from division basement dweller to frontrunner in a span of less than two months. Now, with less than two months remaining in the season, they are on the brink of taking complete control of the National League West.
On Saturday, the Dodgers picked up their third straight win over the Chicago Cubs, winning game three of the set by a score of 3-0. They have now improved their overall record to 60-49 and extended their led in the West to 4.5 games over the Arizona Diamondbacks. With a substantial lead and with an unflappable team confidence, the Dodgers are in a mode where they simply can’t wait to get to the diamond every day and just play.
“You go out there and you’re just waiting to see who’s going to drive in the runs and get the big hits,” Dodgers starter Chris Capuano said, according to ESPN.com. “It’s a good feeling when you come to the park.”
Capuano allowed just six hits in six and a third innings of work in his fourth win of the season and the team’s 13th straight on the road, which is now a franchise record.
“It’s a good feeling to be a part of history, to keep winning,” outfielder Carl Crawford said. “The team is jelling really well right now.”
Rookie Yasiel Puig notched his seventh multi-hit game in the last 14 games, but left in the seventh inning after bruising his thumb on a diving outfield catch.
“We’ll see how I feel tomorrow before the game,” Puig said through a translator. “I’ll take some swings and we’ll decide then.”
Even without Puig, it’s hard to imagine the Dodgers slowing down much, if at all. They’ve won 30 of their last 37 games, are 12-3 since the All-Star break and they’ll have the advantage in the pitching match-up again today against the Cubs in the fourth and final game of the series.
Today, L.A. sends Stephen Fife (3-3, 2.76 ERA) to the mound to face off against Carlos Villanueva (2-7, 4.33 ERA), who is currently on a three-game losing skid with an ERA of 8.22 during that span.
It just wouldn’t make sense to bet against the Dodgers now. They’re simply too hot and have too much confidence, so look for Los Angeles to cover -1.5 runs in the win today against the Cubs, as they complete the road sweep.
