Final Score NLCS Game 2 – Dodgers 1, Cubs 0: Pitcher’s Duel Ends in Kershaw’s Favor, Series Tied 1-1

If only the Cubs could’ve gotten something, anything going in the game tonight. The Cubs got their first hit in the fifth inning, the only inning that they could manage to get a runner in scoring position. Unfortunately the Cubs were 0-for-1 with runners in scoring position. Sure, they had a couple of fly balls that could of been home runs, on another night, but they weren’t tonight.

All things considered, this was as close a game as you could’ve hoped for. Thanks mainly to the stellar pitching of Kyle Hendricks, who gave up the only run tonight to Adrian Gonzalez on a pitch that was good, but Gonzalez just got after it and hit it out for a home run in the top of the second inning.

That one run was all the Dodgers, behind Clayton Kershaw, would need as they go on to win 1-0 (Box Score).

Stats that matter

• Hendricks was very good, with the exception of the walks, but Kershaw was better –  5.1IP, 1R, 3H, 4BB, 5Ks, HR
• The Cubs managed just two hits, back-to-back singles by Baez and Contreras in the bottom of the fifth inning

Bottom line

We knew this coming in, right? Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher in league, perhaps the best ever or at least in a long damn while. The fact that the Cubs were only one swing away from tying this game up, maybe even winning it, is a victory in itself. Given everything I saw tonight, the absolute best from the Dodgers pitching staff, I’ll take a chance to win that game every single time.

Next up

The Cubs will travel to Los Angeles to battle the Dodgers on Tuesday at 7:08 PM CT. Jake Arrieta (18-8, 3.10 ERA) will take the mound against Rich Hill (12-5, 2.12 ERA) for the right to take a 2-1 lead in the NLCS.