3 questions for Chicago Cubs heading into Game 4 of NLCS
The Cubs are up against it now. They fell 6-1 Tuesday night to the Los Angeles Dodgers and now are down three-games-to-none in the National League championship series. Here are three questions heading into the first of the "must-win" games for the Cubs.
1. Are the Cubs finished?
It's hard to count out the defending world champions, especially a bunch whose motto is "we never quit." But the Cubs are in serious trouble against a team that looks a lot like the 2016 Cubs. The Dodgers were the best team during the regular season as the Cubs were last year, and they look like they want to finish this series now.
2. What is the biggest concern with the Cubs' Game 4 starter, Jake Arrieta?
Pitch count. Arrieta threw 90 pitches in only 4 innings during Game 4 of the NLDS against Washington. If he doesn't have his command Wednesday night, an overtaxed bullpen will be put to the test again.
3. Are there any signs of hope against Dodgers Game 4 starting pitcher, Alex Wood?
If there is one, it's that Wood has not pitched since Sept. 26, and he may be rusty. But that's almost hoping against hope at this point. During the regular season, Wood was 16-3 with a 2.72 ERA. The Dodgers also have Clayton Kershaw waiting in the wings if the Cubs are able to push it to a Game 5.