Do you believe in the supernatural? Do you intentionally avoid stepping on cracks on the sidewalk? Are you the type of person who completely avoids black cats? If so, then break out your Ouija board because we’ve got the postseason series for you. The cursed Chicago Cubs will try to turn their luck around against the San Francisco Giants’ even-year magic in an NLDS that might just convince you Elvis is still out there.

Let’s face it, you have to believe in curses in order to pick against the Cubs. By nearly every measure, Chicago was the best team in baseball this season. Their offense, led by probable National League MVP Kris Bryant was the best in the majors. The rotation is so deep that Jake Arrieta, last year’s NL Cy Young, is the team’s No. 3 starter. Their bullpen is full of strikeout artists, and they are managed by everyone’s favorite wacky uncle Joe Maddon.

And yet, the Giants have overcome the odds before. They emerged from the wild-card game to win the World Series in 2014. They’ve won games on big hits from Conor Gillaspie and Travis Ishikawa. Oh, and they employ possibly the greatest postseason pitcher of all-time in Madison Bumgarner. Every time it looks like the Giants might be done, they seem to play their strongest ball.

SCHEDULE

Game 1: Friday, Oct. 7, in Chicago, 9:00 p.m. ET (TV coverage FS1)

Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 8, in Chicago, 8:00 p.m. ET (FS1)

Game 3: Monday, Oct. 10, in San Francisco, time TBA (FS1)

Game 4*: Tuesday, Oct. 11, in San Francisco, time TBA (FS1)

Game 5*: Thursday, Oct. 13, in Chicago, time TBA (FS1)

*if necessary

PREVIOUSLY

The Cubs came away with the season series, beating the Giants 4-3. Chicago won three of those games at home, but dropped two in San Francisco. The two clubs were evenly matched, though. Aside from an early 8-1 blowout, every other game between the two teams was decided by either one or two runs.

View photos Two NL Cy Young candidates will square off in Game 1 of the NLDS. (Getty Images) More

PITCHING

Game 1: Jon Lester (19-5, 2.44 ERA) vs. Johnny Cueto (18-5, 2.79 ERA)

Game 2: Kyle Hendricks (16-8, 2.13 ERA) vs. TBA

Game 3: Jake Arrieta (18-8, 3.10 ERA) vs. TBA

Game 4*: John Lackey (11-8, 3.35 ERA) vs. TBA

Game 5*: TBA



The fact that Arrieta isn’t starting until Game 3, and that John Lackey, who could be a No. 2 starter on multiple postseason clubs, isn’t going until Game 4, tells you all you need to know about the Cubs’ rotation. It’s tremendous, it’s deep and pretty much every other team in the majors would kill to have it.

The Cubs may boast the best staff of any team in the postseason, but don’t discount the Giants. Cueto is hardly a slouch in the top spot, and can easily match Lester pitch for pitch. There’s some uncertainty for Game 2, as Bruce Bochy could go with Jeff Samardzija or Matt Moore. The other player should get the nod in Game 4. The Game 3 starter, while not confirmed, will be postseason star Madison Bumgarner.

Both teams will have to choose a starter should the series go all the way to Game 5, and we can’t count out Bumgarner miraculously making himself available for that contest. Maybe not as a starter, but as a reliever.

View photos The Cubs’ one-two punch of Bryant and Rizzo is the best in the postseason. (Getty Images/Jonathan Daniel) More

THREE KEYS FOR CUBS

Get to the bullpen: The Giants’ biggest weakness this season was the club’s relievers. San Francisco relievers combined to pick up an incredible 30 blown saves during the regular season. That figure led the majors. Getting Giants manager Bruce Bochy to go to a reliever may prove to be difficult, however. The Giants’ rotation is not only formidable, but the team’s big three are all known as workhorses. With the season on the line, it wouldn’t be surprising to see all of them toss 130 pitches every time out.

Story continues