Cubs not in short supply of pitchers who rake

SAN FRANCISCO — When either the Dodgers or Nationals turn their attention to facing the Cubs in the National League Championship Series starting Saturday (FOX/FS1, game time TBD), they’ll discover perhaps an unexpected note in the scouting report.

Many of these same Cubs pitchers who helped lead the staff to a Major League-best 3.15 ERA also have a knack for handling the bat. And as was evidenced in Chicago’s NL Division Series win over the Giants, that seemingly minor detail can have game-changing effects.

Of the 17 runs the Cubs scored in the NLDS, six were driven in by pitchers.

Game Date Time Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 15 TBD LAD/WSH @ CHC FOX/FS1 Gm 2 Oct. 16 TBD LAD/WSH @ CHC FOX/FS1 Gm 3 Oct. 18 TBD CHC @ LAD/WSH FOX/FS1 Gm 4 Oct. 19 TBD CHC @ LAD/WSH FOX/FS1 *Gm 5 Oct. 20 TBD CHC @ LAD/WSH FOX/FS1 *Gm 6 Oct. 22 TBD TBD @ LAD/WSH FOX/FS1 *Gm 7 Oct. 23 TBD TBD @ LAD/WSH FOX/FS1 *- If necessary | All times listed ET  • Complete postseason coverageShop for postseason gear: Cubs | Dodgers | Nationals

“I think that the mindset for us is we don’t want to go up to the plate and just be a free out,” said Jake Arrieta, who became the first pitcher to homer off Giants ace Madison Bumgarner with his three-run blast in Game 3 of the NLDS. “There’s a lot of time and energy put into that to just help carry our weight. Being able to handle the bat really can put a lot of pressure on the other side.”

That focus on being capable with the bat started back in Spring Training, …

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