After losing game 1 of the NLCS to the Cubs due to a late pitching collapse, the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw pitched a shutout Sunday night at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The shutout powered the Dodgers to a 1-0 victory and the Boys in Blue have now tied up the series with the Cubbies at 1-1.  The series now heads to Los Angeles where the Dodgers will look to get a boost from the home crowd and a lead in the series.

The Dodgers had the best pitcher in the league on the mound for them in game two of the NLCS. They needed everything that they could get from him, and Kershaw did not disappoint. He pitched seven full innings, gave up only two hits, and did not allow the Cubs’ high-powered offense to get a run on the board. This came just a day after the Cubs’ offense exploded for eight runs in game one.

Kershaw got some help in the last two innings from closer Kenley Jansen. The Dodgers relied on Jansen to close out games numerous times in the regular season and he was able to rack up 47 saves. With a one run lead in the eighth inning, they needed him to come up huge once again, and he did.

Jansen was able to get the last six outs for the Dodgers. What was most impressive was the way he was able to get the last three outs of the game against the heart of the Chicago Cubs lineup. He faced NL MVP candidates Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo in the bottom of the ninth with one out, and was able to get them both out rather quickly. He struck out Bryant with three pitches, and got Rizzo to line out on just a single pitch. This secured the 1-0 victory for Los Angeles.

Getting the 1-1 split in the two games in Chicago is huge for LA. The NLCS now moves over to Dodger Stadium where the Dodgers will host the Cubs for games three, four, and five. With all the momentum going their way, the Boys in Blue have a great opportunity to take the lead in the series. They will have to make the most out of these next three games on their home field. The Dodgers cannot afford to let the Cubs escape LA with the lead in the series.

Game three will see the Cubs’ best pitcher, Jake Arrieta, duel with Dodgers’ pitcher Rich Hill. Hill has a 6.43 ERA so far in the postseason. Not very good when you see that Arrieta’s ERA is only 3.00. The Dodgers will need Hill to be on top of his game if they hope to get the 2-1 series lead against the Chicago Cubs. It’ll be interesting to see if the Dodgers can limit the Cubs’ hits for a second straight game. If the Cubs’ bats come alive in game three in Los Angeles, things will not look good for the Dodgers.