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Levine: Scoring Early Key For Cubs In Game 3

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A key to every postseason ballgame is putting a run up early, and the Cubs dodged that bullet from the Cardinals in Saturday's Game 2 win after St. Louis took an early 1-0 lead on Matt Carpenter's solo homer. Chicago's five-run second inning proved to be the difference, forcing St. Louis manager Mike Matheny's hand to direct his team like it was the late innings.

The first game of this NLDS that's tied 1-1 heading into Monday evening's Game 3 saw a first-inning run by the Cardinals off of Cubs left-hander Jon Lester hold up as a game-winner and trendsetter for that contest. After getting that lead, Cardinals right-hander John Lackey and catcher Yadier Molina took advantage of the liberal strike zone of umpire Phil Cuzzi, with Lackey dealing 7 1/3 shutout innings to get the win.

 The Cubs' offense is set up by lead-off man Dexter Fowler. Manager Joe Maddon has has had a message for Fowler all season: "You go, we go."

With ace right-hander Jake Arrieta on the mound Monday, one early run might be all the Cubs need.

"That is one of the things we talked about from spring training on," Maddon said. "You are always striving to get that first run. With Jake pitching, that makes it a little more interesting (scoring first) ... For me, the ability to score first almost always impacts the game in a positive way for that team."

"The other team scores in the top of that first inning, we want to answer in the bottom. You try to even that vibe out."

Ariieta is 4-1 lifetime against the Cardinals, including 2-1 this season. St. Louis will turn to Michael Wacha, who's 1-2 with a 6.86 ERA against Chicago this year.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.

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