The Cubs are going to win this series because Dave Roberts has mismanaged his ball club all year, beginning with Stripling's debut in San Francisco. Roberts has the option of starting the best pitcher in baseball, Clayton Kershaw, on short rest tonight. Kershaw hasn't been too bad on short rest in his career and definitely gives you the best chance to win regardless if he's on schedule or ahead of schedule. Starting Kershaw in Game 5 gives the Dodgers a much better opportunity to go back to Chicago leading the series 3-2 and gives Roberts the option of using Kershaw out of the bullpen in Game 7 if necessary.
Instead, Roberts is throwing Maeda tonight. Kenta hasn't been too bad this year but he's certainly not Clayton Kershaw. It seems to me that the Cubs turned it on offensively in Game 4, and that doesn't bode well for Maeda. If the Cubs bats stay hot tonight, they'll undoubtedly stay hot when they return to Chicago for Game 6.
Tonight's game might as well decide the series. If the Dodgers win tonight, Kershaw is set up to slam the door shut in Game 6. Should the Cubs come out with the advantage, I don't see them dropping 2 in a row at home at Wrigley, even though the last time the Cubs had a 3-2 lead in the NLCS headed back home, it didn't go their way (Steve Bartman).
With all that said, the rest of this series should be a lot of fun. Go Dodgers! #WinForVin