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The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series looked sexy a week ago, but given the events of the past few days, especially with what happened Thursday night in Game 5 at Nationals Park, several more layers of intrigue have been added. The Cubs played two unforgettable games -- a loss in Game 3, a win in Game 4 -- to beat the Giants in the division series. And the Dodgers somehow beat the Nationals 4-3 in Game 5 on Thursday night in a four-hour, 32-minute epic that will be discussed for years to come. Now the two play in the NLCS. We can only hope that there will be a game or two that come even close to matching the final two games in San Francisco, and the last one in Washington. Here are five questions:How difficult is it to match up with the Dodgers?This season has been a long series of matchups, pitching changes and daily decisions for manager Dave Roberts. The Dodgers play the same first baseman (Adrian Gonzalez), shortstop (Corey Seager) and third baseman (Justin Turner) every day, but otherwise, Roberts mixes and matches at virtually every other position (Chase Utley started 118 games at second base, and catcher Yasmani Grandal started 106 games), looking for the best situation that day. That versatility and maneuverability makes the Dodgers difficult to counter because they are prepared for almost any possibility other than, of course, their weakness against left-handed pitching (.214/.291/.333). The Dodgers used 15 different starting pitchers this year, and they made more pitching changes than any team in major league history. Roberts took out a pitcher (Ross Stripling after 7? innings) with a no-hitter going, and he took a pitcher (Rich Hill, after seven innings) out with a perfect game going. Then, in the riveting Game 5 victory over the Nationals in the NLDS, Roberts yanked Hill after 55 pitches (eight outs, six of them strikeouts; he was behind, 1-0) to bring in Joe Blanton to face right-handed hitting Anthony Rendon. Roberts used every position player but one before the eighth inning. He brought in his closer, Kenley Jansen, with no one out in the seventh inning: he got seven outs for the first time in his career, then was replaced by Clayton Kershaw, who had thrown 110 pitches on short rest two days earlier. Kershaw got his first save since the Gulf Coast League, so long ago that Kershaws catcher in that game was Kenley Jansen. Roberts is not afraid to make a move, and hell have to make many moves against the Cubs.What can we expect from the Cubs offense?A lot. This is a really good and versatile offensive team, one that scored the second-most runs in the NL this year, 119 more runs and 179 fewer strikeouts than in 2015. In the NLDS against the Giants, the Cubs scored only 11 runs in the first three games, and six of those runs were driven in by pitchers. But just when it appeared the Cubs were going back to Chicago for Game 5, they scored four in the ninth to beat the Giants. The Cubs became the first team since the Yankees in the 2001 World Series to produce tying hits in the ninth inning or later in consecutive postseason games. Now they have to get first baseman Anthony Rizzo going offensively. He singled and drew two walks (one a crucial one in the ninth inning of Game 4), but he is 1-for-15 in this postseason, and 7-for-47 in his postseason career.What is the status of the Dodgers rotation?Not where it wants to be due to the measures that had to be taken just to get to this series. Kershaw could start Game 2, but it wont be easy given that he threw 110 pitches on short rest Tuesday, then pitched in relief two days later. Its likely that Kenta Maeda, a 16-game winner who labored in his start against the Nationals in Game 3, would start Game 1. After that, it gets tricky. If its not Kershaw in Game 2, Hill could go, but he threw 56 pitches on short rest in Game 5, meaning he would have to go on short rest again. Julio Urias, 20, could start, but he pitched in relief in Game 5, also. If Urias starts, hell be the youngest pitcher ever to start a postseason game.What is the status of the Cubs rotation?Jon Lester was brilliant in Game 1 against the Giants, becoming the third Cubs pitcher to throw eight scoreless innings without a walk in a postseason game (joining Jake Arrieta and Mordecai Three Finger Brown). It was the first time in Lesters decorated postseason career that he completed eight innings. Kyle Hendricks was hit in the forearm with a line drive in Game 2, forcing him to leave the game in the fourth inning, but from all indications, he has recovered, and should be 100 percent for the Dodgers. Before getting hit, however, Hendricks wasnt sharp (he has now given up seven earned runs in 12? innings in his three postseason starts), but if that changeup is right, he will be hard to handle. Arrieta, who labored the second half of the season, gave the Cubs six good innings in Game 3, but the bullpen lost his lead. John Lackey is the fourth starter, and he is a tested and accomplished postseason pitcher, even though he lasted only four innings in Game 4.Who has been the breakthrough player of this postseason?Javy Baez of the Cubs. He is an elite defender in the infield, especially at second base. His ability to catch a short-hop throw from the catcher, and apply the tag on a potential base stealer, is rivaled only by Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy. Baez has a great throwing arm and remarkable range, he hits with power, he gets big hits and -- unlike so many players of this generation, a generation that runs the bases poorly at best -- he is a great baserunner, with a natural feel for the game and for situations. He personifies who the Cubs are: young, athletic and versatile; plug him in at any position in any situation, he can beat you in so many ways.Cubs in seven.Fake Jordan . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. Air Jordan Outlet . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. https://www.wholesalejordanshoeschina.com/ . Fellow centre Pavel Datsyuk remains out because of a concussion. Zetterberg has 11 goals and 19 assists for a team-high 30 points, and Datsyuk has a team-high 12 goals and 11 assists. Cheap Retro Jordan . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. Discount Air Jordan . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- It took all offseason for Mike Maccagnan and Ryan Fitzpatrick to agree on a deal to bring the veteran quarterback back to the New York Jets.Maccagnan is still glad the reunion happened -- even if it all went wrong this season.During a nearly 40-minute sit-down with reporters Wednesday, the Jets general manager discussed several issues as New York enters its bye-week break at a dismal 3-7. He said the team is obviously disappointed about its record, but insists re-signing Fitzpatrick to a one-year, $12 million deal was the right move.I have no regrets about bringing Ryan back, Maccagnan said. I think going into it, we felt very good about the season Ryan had previously. So I have no regrets from that standpoint.Fitzpatrick set a franchise record last year with 31 touchdown passes while leading the Jets to a 10-6 record and within a victory of a playoff appearance.After the season, it appeared merely a formality that Fitzpatrick would be back. But the sides got locked in a contract stalemate that dragged on for months, ending only on the eve of training camp in July.Big things were expected for the Jets, especially with their record-setting quarterback in the fold again. But the offense got off to a lousy start and Fitzpatrick was benched as the Jets opened 1-5. He regained his starting spot when Geno Smith was lost for the season with a knee injury less than two quarters into his latest -- and, possibly, last -- opportunity with the Jets. Fitzpatrick returned until a sprained knee gave Bryce Petty the start last Sunday against Los Angeles.Of course, I think everybody, and Ryan included, would probably say he holds himself to a fairly high standard, Maccagnan said. Im sure there are aspects that he would like to ... we all would like to have better success on the field as a team. But from the standpoint of bringing Ryan back, no, I dont have regrets on that.Fitzpatrick leads the NFL with 13 interceptions against has just eight touchdown passes. Its possible Fitzpatrick could never throw another pass for New York if the Jets decide to give Petty and/or second-round pick Christian Hackenberg the last six games to audition for the job for neext season.ddddddddddddhats a decision, Maccagnan said, that will ultimately be made by coach Todd Bowles, wholl consult with his staff and the GM. Bowles said Monday his decision will be based on who he believes gives the team the best chance to win.From my standpoint, you like to see young players play, Maccagnan said. But you also want to make sure theyre ready for that. To me, its a more complicated decision than some people realize.With both Fitzpatrick and Smith scheduled to be free agents in the offseason, the Jets will have no established quarterbacks on their roster.Its not necessarily unnerving, Maccagnan said. We feel good. We have two young quarterbacks to work with and grow and develop, and well see how we address this going forward.As for Bowles, Maccagnan was supportive of the second-year coach, but added that everyone in the organization needs to do better at our jobs. There have been quite a few bumps in the road for Bowles, a former defensive coordinator who was highly regarded around the league before being hired last year to replace the fired Rex Ryan.Play calling, clock management and his overall approach have been questioned at times, particularly with missteps by players -- most notably Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson being benched for a quarter for being late for a team meeting -- creating the perception the Jets are dysfunctional.We knew there would be adversity along the way, but hes very consistent and very focusehave been questioned at times, particularly with missteps by players -- most notably Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson being benched for a quarter for being late for a team meeting -- creating the perception the Jets are dysfunctional.We knew there would be adversity along the way, but hes very consistend, Maccagnan said. And I think he has a very good pulse on the team and the locker room. I do think hes going to be a very good head coach in this league.Maccagnan punted on talking about possible moves or decisions beyond the season, preferring to focus publicly only on this year right now. But he also knows the next six games will go a long way in helping determine the franchises future.We do know where we want to be eventually, Maccagnan said. We do feel good about some of those things heading forward.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '