Rather than the major league standard of a .300 average on balls put into play, Cubs opponents averaged only .265. The next-best defensive team, Toronto, would have recorded more than 100 fewer outs. When asked in a pre-series news conference Friday how his club had managed to play league-best defense while shifting less than anyone else, Cubs Manager Joe Maddon pushed back. I think that all is a part of the equation.”Photos from the Los Angeles Dodgers' 8-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. If so, the Cubs' defense may go down as one of the chief causes of a Dodgers loss, even with Clayton Kershaw set to start Sunday.

Source: Los Angeles Times October 16, 2016 04:51 UTC