Chicago Cubs TV Schedule: World Series Betting Odds And NLCS Preview Ahead Of Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals Game 5

maddon — The Cubs enter the NLCS with a strong chance of reaching the World Series. Getty

Fresh off their dramatic series win over the San Francisco Giants, the Chicago Cubs await either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the Washington Nationals in Game 1 of the best-of-seven National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field.

It's an unfamiliar feeling for the Cubs, a historically downtrodden club that has famously failed to win a title since 1908, as they enter the series as the World Series favorites. Joe Maddon's squad has 7/5 odds of winning the title, followed by the Toronto Blue Jays (2/1), Cleveland Indians (7/2), and the Nationals (17/2) and Dodgers (12/1). The Cubs even entered the season as the World Series favorite, and actually exceeded expectations. Westgate Las Vegas Superbook projected Chicago to win 93 games at the start of the season, but the Cubs finished with 103.

Chicago last played on Oct. 11, earning a 6-5 victory behind a four-run ninth inning in San Francisco. The Cubs will be the more rested team in the NLCS, as the Dodgers and Nationals meet in the deciding Game 5 on Thursday night at Nationals Park. Both teams have labored, particularly the starting pitchers.

The Cubs likely don't have a preference about their upcoming opponent in Game 1 on Saturday. Chicago won the season series with the Dodgers, 4-3, and held off the Nationals, 5-2. Regular-season results often mean little in the postseason, though, as the rosters often look different and managers make major adjustments to their lineups and rotations.

The Cubs will likely go with Jon Lester in Game 1, followed by Kyle Hendricks in Game 2. Lester looked sharp against the Giants, while Hendricks gave an uneven performance in his only start. Maddon may consider Jake Arrieta in Game 2, but he likely prefers him on the road for Game 3. John Lackey is expected to pitch Game 4 unless Maddon chooses to pitch Lester on short rest.

The NLCS has a 2-3-2 schedule, meaning the series begins with two games in Chicago, followed by three games in either Los Angeles or Washington and then two games in Chicago.

Here's a look at the schedule (all times Eastern)

Game 1

Who: Jon Lester (19-4) vs. TBD

When: Saturday, October 15

Where: Wrigley Field

Time: 8:08 p.m.

TV Channel: Fox Sports 1

Game 2

Who: Hendricks (16-8) vs. TBD

When: Sunday, October 16

Where: Wrigley Field

Time: 8:08 p.m.