The NLDS playoffs has the Chicago Cubs in position to advance over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, as Game 4 at Wrigley Field could clinch the series 3-1 with a victory for the Cubbies. The Mets are in position to clinch as well against the Dodgers, as they host Game 4 at Citi Field with Steven Matz and Clayton Kershaw in the pitching matchup.
The Cardinals will have John Lackey on the mound for Game 4, while the Cubs will counter with Jason Hammel. The Cubs had Jake Arrieta in Game 3 of the series and while he gave up four runs, his highest total in months, the team was still able to win to take a 2-1 series lead. The Cubs got six home runs in the game to set a postseason record and the team saw six different players hit jacks with Jorge Soler, Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Anthony Rizzo, Dexter Fowler and Starlin Castro all making the Cards pay.
Lackey has been strong against the Cubs this season, going 3-0 with an ERA under 1.00 in four starts against the team and now he will try and do it again. Lackey will pitch on short rest and it will be up to him to give in a good start to get the Cardinals into a Game 5 matchup at home. The Cardinals won Game 1 with Lackey on the mound and now he has the chance to get another win after the Cubs have won two straight games to put themselves in position to clinch.
The Cubs have never clinched a playoff series at home at Wrigley and they will be looking to do that on Tuesday to return to the NLCS for the first time in over a decade. Lackey previously has gone 2-0 with a 2.42 ERA on short rest in his postseason career and he has the chance to add to that with a strong start against the Cubs. Addison Russell could be out for the Cubs with a hamstring issue and after the Cubs hit six home runs on Monday, it could be tougher on Tuesday, as Lackey has not allowed a homer against the team this season.
The Mets knocked around the Dodgers in Game 3 at Citi Field and the team was charged up following the controversy in Game 2 with Chase Utley and his slide. The Mets won 13-7 and after going down 3-0 in the game early, the team bounced back against Brett Anderson and scored four runs and did not give up the lead again. Steven Matz will pitch against Clayton Kershaw in the matchup and this game is huge for the Dodgers, as they are trying to stave off elimination. The Mets can clinch the series 3-1 with a win against the Dodgers on Tuesday night.
