On Saturday night, the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs will kickoff at Wrigley Field. We've previewed the series and explained how to watch. Now it's time to examine the 25-man rosters both teams will use.
First, the visiting Dodgers.
Pitchers (12): Luis Avilan, Pedro Baez, Joe Blanton, Grant Dayton, Josh Fields, Rich Hill, Kenley Jansen, Clayton Kershaw, Kenta Maeda, Ross Stripling, Julio Urias, Alex Wood
Catchers (2): Yasmani Grandal, Carlos Ruiz
Infielders (6): Adrian Gonzalez, Enrique Hernandez, Howie Kendrick, Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Chase Utley
Outfielders (5): Andre Ethier, Joc Pederson, Yasiel Puig, Josh Reddick, Andrew Toles
The Dodgers made two changes: adding Hernandez and Wood in place of Charlie Culberson and Austin Barnes. Hernandez is expected to start on Saturday night, and gives the Dodgers another right-handed option to use against the Cubs' plethora of left-handed relievers. Wood gives the Dodgers additional length from the bullpen -- something they could use after last series.
Now onto the Cubs.
Pitchers (12): Jake Arrieta, Aroldis Chapman, Carl Edwards Jr., Justin Grimm, Kyle Hendricks, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Mike Montgomery, Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop, Travis Wood, Rob Zastryzny
Catchers (3): Willson Contreras, Miguel Montero, David Ross
Infielders (5): Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell, Ben Zobrist
Outfielders (5): Albert Almora Jr., Chris Coghlan, Dexter Fowler, Jason Heyward, Jorge Soler
The only change from the NLDS? Removing Tommy La Stella in favor of a 12th pitcher. That pitcher is Zastryzny, who gives Joe Maddon another left-handed option to throw at a platoon-dependent team. Don't be surprised if Maddon uses Zastryzny -- as well as Wood and Montgomery -- to chase some of the Dodgers' left-handed bats from the game earlier than Roberts would like.
