Three reasons we shouldn't count out the Dodgers in the NLCS

As the first pitch of Game 6 of the National League Championship Series nears, almost all of the focus is on the Chicago Cubs opportunity to make history, reverse curses and reach the franchise’s first World Series since 1945.

We doubt the Los Angeles Dodgers are too upset about that.

If any team has needed a 48-hour break to clear its mind and perhaps even allow the pressure to shift to the other side, it’s this Dodgers squad. They were dismantled physically, mentally and strategically during lopsided losses in Games 4 and 5. They were frustrated by their own struggles. They were rattled by some calls they didn’t agree with. Mostly, though, they were beaten down by a dominant and determined team on a mission.

That mission won’t change on Saturday night, but that doesn’t mean the Dodgers are a lost cause either. As they have shown many times throughout the season, when injuries ravaged their roster, they’re a resilient team. As long as they’re alive, they have a fighting chance.

Here, we’ll look at the three biggest reasons they’re capable of flipping the scripts and breaking Cubs fans hearts all over again.

Clayton Kershaw
The postseason stigma is gone now. More importantly, the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner looks healthy, which was far from a given considering his back issues. That was never more evident than NLCS Game 2, when despite pitching on short rest Kershaw was able to dominate the Cubs for seven innings at Wrigley Field.

The breakdown here is pretty simple. The Dodgers are 4-0 this postseason in games in which Kershaw has pitched, which includes his save in NLDS Game 5. In games he hasn’t pitched, the Dodgers are 1-5. Granted, he won’t be available for both games in Chicago. That means history from the Washington series won’t be repeated. But the Dodgers just need a chance to reach Game 7, and he gives them that chance.

A rested Kenley Jansen
Manager Dave Roberts has shown a willingness to extend his closer for multiple innings this postseason. It’s paid off so far, but it’s no doubt taking its toll, which is why Jansen coming in on three days rest is a big positive. That should give Roberts confidence he can use Jansen for two innings again in Game 6 and then go from there.

Again, the Dodgers path to pulling this off begins and ends with surviving Game 6. They’re positioned well to do that. Then all bets would be off in Game 7.

Ignore the odds
The odds don’t favor the Dodgers this weekend.

Fortunately, the odds don’t matter much in the unpredictable game of baseball. Otherwise, the Dodgers wouldn’t even be here.

During the regular season they placed an MLB record 28 different players on the disabled list. That included Clayton Kershaw and basically every key starting pitcher save for Kenta Maeda. The odds are against any team surviving that. Yet somehow, the Dodgers actually flourished.

The Dodgers have been in this position before too. If you recall, that was just last week. Trailing 2-1 in the NLDS, the Dodgers rallied to defeat the Washington Nationals in Game 4 and 5 to advance.

Granted, none of that really matters now either. It’s a different opponent and a different challenge with entirely different circumstances. But it’s also still baseball. It’s still about creating offense. It’s still about making plays. The Dodgers have done plenty of both this season. If they start doing it again Saturday night, we’ll be in for some fun baseball.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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