How the Cubs, Dodgers Got Here

The Cubs and Dodgers are two of baseball’s most historic franchises with a combined 14 NLCS appearances between them, but they have never met in an NLCS until now.

The Cubs, of course, are trying to end a World Series drought that extends back to 1945. The Dodgers are seeking to end a 28-year World Series drought, their longest since moving to Los Angeles in 1958.

Here is a look at how both franchises built to get to this point, as well as an analysis of how their final products match up.

CHICAGO CUBS

Record: 103-58

*How they’re built: 6 homegrown (4 draft, 2 international signings); 19 acquired (13 trades, 5 free agents, 1 Rule 5 draft)

Foundation laid: Jan. 2012-July 2013. In this 18-month stretch, the Cubs acquired Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Hendricks and Jake Arrieta in trades, drafted Kris Bryant and Javier Baez with their two first-round picks, signed Jorge Soler as an international free agent and took Hector Rondon as a Rule 5 draft selection.

Turning point: 2014-15 offseason. The Cubs wrapped up their fifth straight losing season in 2014 with a 73-89 record. Hiring Joe Maddon as manager two days after the conclusion of the World Series was their first step in changing course, but the Cubs also signed free agents Jon Lester, Jason Hammel and David Ross and acquired Miguel Montero and Dexter Fowler in trades to shore up their pitching staff and up-the-middle play, two problem areas for the team in previous years.

Pushed over the top: Trade deadline 2016. The Cubs already were running away from the pack in the NL Central by late July, but made two moves to run away from the rest of the league as well. They acquired lefthanded relief standouts Mike Montgomery and Aroldis Chapman five days apart, with the Montgomery trade made July 20 and Chapman’s July 25, and the Cubs took off with their bullpen fortified. They had a .602 win percentage (56-37) prior to the first trade, and a .691 win percentage (47-21) the rest of the way.

*NLCS roster

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Record: 91-71

*How they’re built: 9 homegrown (4 draft, 5 international signings); 16 acquired (12 trades, 4 free agents)

Foundation laid: Summer 2012. The summer of 2012 was a fruitful one for the Dodgers. They drafted Corey Seager and Ross Stripling, signed Julio Urias and Yasiel Puig as international free agents and acquired Adrian Gonzalez in a trade, all between June and August. They also drafted Jharel Cotton, Darnell Sweeney and Joey Curletta, who would later be used as key trade pieces to acquire Rich Hill, Chase Utley, and Carlos Ruiz, respectively.

Turning point: 2014. The Dodgers began 2014 by signing Justin Turner to a minor league deal in February and finished it by making trades for Yasmani Grandal, Howie Kendrick, Adam Liberatore and Austin Barnes in November-December. All five would play prominent roles in ensuing seasons to help keep the Dodgers atop the NL West.

Pushed over the top: 2015-16 offseason. After a second-straight NLDS loss caused in part by lack of pitching depth, the Dodgers went out and signed Kenta Maeda and Scott Kazmir for the rotation and Joe Blanton for the bullpen, all in a three-week stretch encompassing Christmas and New Year’s. On the position player side they astutely acquired outfielder Trayce Thompson in a three-team trade and let Jimmy Rollins leave as a free agent so Seager could take over at shortstop permanently. They also hired Dave Roberts to replace departed manager Don Mattingly.

*NLCS roster

BREAKING DOWN THE FINAL PRODUCT

Infield: Dodgers 18.5 WAR, Cubs 24.6 WAR Edge: CUBS

Outfield: Dodgers 6.9 WAR, Cubs 10.4 WAR. Edge: CUBS

Starting Pitching: Dodgers 10.3 WAR, Cubs 16.2 WAR. EDGE: CUBS

Relief Pitching: Dodgers 7.1 WAR, team record 73-3 when leading after seven innings; Cubs 5.7 WAR, team record 90-4 when leading after seven innings. EDGE: DODGERS

Prediction: Cubs in 5