NLCS Schedule 2015: Updated TV Guide and Cubs vs. Mets Series Predictions

The New York Mets are two wins away from the World Series after beating the Chicago Cubs 4-1 Sunday in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series. 

Mets starter Noah Syndergaard continued the trend of sublime starting pitching for the Mets with one earned run and nine strikeouts over five and two-thirds innings. The previously unhittable Jake Arrieta took the loss for the Cubs after giving up four runs in five innings.

For those keeping score, the Mets have now gone through Arrieta, Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke this postseason. Those are only the expected top three finishers for the NL Cy Young Award this year. That has to give their hitters confidence going forward.

While the Mets are riding high after their strong showing in Queens, they will have their work cut out for them as the series shifts to Wrigley Field. Here's a look at the schedule for the rest of the series along with where you can find each game on TV. 

*If necessary.

Now that you know when to tune in for the rest of the series, let's have a look at how the rest of the NLCS could play out. Here's a few predictions as the series migrates to Chicago.

Mets Will Put Cubs on the Ropes

Already up two games, the Mets have the luxury of sending their ace to the hill in Game 3. Jacob deGrom will take the mound for the Mets against Kyle Hendricks of the Cubs.

So far this postseason, deGrom and his flowing locks have shut opposing lineups down. He went 2-0 in the NLDS with a 1.38 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 13 innings. As ESPN Stats and Info and Mark Simon of ESPN point out, deGrom's division series performance was one for the ages:

Simply put, deGrom has been feeling it for the entire postseason. It's hard to pick against him at this point, so look for him to usher the Mets to within one win of the World Series.

Cubs Will Make Things Interesting

Despite the tall order of facing deGrom, which we already predicted will turn into a loss for the Cubs, we expect the North Siders to get back into the series at home. 

Steven Matz is scheduled to start Game 4 for the Mets after a tough outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. The 24-year-old Matz is a rookie and could falter on the road in front of a hostile crowd. 

If Kyle Schwarber, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo can get things on track against Matz, it can help them stay in a groove as the series wears on. For the Cubs to have any chance, those three players will need to carry the lineup. 

Returning home to face a rookie pitcher is as good a way as any to find your rhythm at the plate. Look for the middle of the Cubs order to get it going and help the Cubs get back into the series.

Mets Ultimately Win, an Unexpected Player Gets LCS MVP Consideration

Even if the Cubs are able to get back into the series at home, the Mets starting pitching is just too strong and should carry them to the World Series.

If deGrom again dazzles in Game 3 and pitches well in a potential start later in the series, he would have a compelling case to be named Most Valuable Player of the series. If Daniel Murphy continues hitting the cover off the ball (a homer in four straight games), he also could lay claim to the series MVP award.

However, if the Mets do indeed move on, a name to keep an eye on is Jeurys Familia. The Mets closer has saved each of the first two games without allowing a run and has only given up two hits in two and one-third innings.

Familia has shut down the opposition for the entire postseason, and he looked confident in his two outings against the Cubs. If Familia gets the save in two more Mets wins and remains dominant, he would have as good an MVP case as anyone. Either way, the Mets will be in good hands if they can hand the ball to Familia with a lead.

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