Lefty Rich Hill During His Solid Performance in Game Three of the 2016 NLCS
The Chicago Cubs have fallen behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2016 National League Championship Series two games to one. With the Cubs being shutout for the second consecutive game a row, this time by a dominant performance by lefty Rich Hill, thoughts of the 1945 curse maybe beginning to creep back into the psyche of the Chicago faithful.
After Clayton Kershaw's masterful performance in game two, Rich Hill was just as mesmerizing to watch in game three. The Dodgers recorded back-to-back postseason shutouts for the first time in team history.
Hill worked methodically, as he threw six scoreless innings while allowing only two hit and two walks and punching out six Chicago Cub hitters in route to the 6-0 win.
The Chicago Cub's starter in game three was Jake Arrieta. The Cubs had to feel as they would have a chance to rebound with their ace toeing the rubber. Arrieta, who had no-hit the Dodgers in Dodger Stadium fourteen month ago, was no match for the Dodger line-up in game three, though.
Dodger rookie Corey Seager went 3-4 with a run batted in. Yasmani Grandel and Justin Turner both blasted home runs off of Arrieta and took him deep to stake Hill a lead.
With two more games left to play at Dodger stadium in Los Angeles, the victory puts them in a good shape to play without pressure.
The Chicago Cubs offense seems to be sputtering and needs to find direction before they avoid the pressure of a must-win situation. The Cubbies are currently on an 18-inning scoreless streak while currently hitting a paltry .161.
The current slump is very surprising from a team that won 100 games in the regular season.
Cub third baseman Kris Bryant is quoted as saying, " We got more games to play, more time to get confidence back and figure things out. I'm sure we will. We've done it all year. We're here for a reason."
The Chicago Cubs are 0-5 when trailing a best-of-seven postseason series 2-1.
