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Cubs take 2-0 lead over Giants in MLB playoffs

The Chicago Cubs moved into a 2-0 series lead with a 5-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants in the MLB playoffs.

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Pitcher Kyle Hendricks drove in two runs before leaving the game at Wrigley Field with an injury.

The Giants' offense again struggled, with a two-run third inning as good as it got as they fell 2-0 behind in the National League (NL) Division Series.

Hendricks pitched 3.2 innings, while Giants starter Jeff Samardzija got through just two as he gave up four runs.

CUBS ON TRACK, SAMARDZIJA STRUGGLES

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The Cubs' catcher carousel is working just fine. In game one, Jon Lester had his favourite catcher David Ross behind the plate calling the game for him. It worked because the two were completely in sync and Ross gave the few Giants that made it to first base fits. Ross, however, is 39 and cannot play every day. Enter Willson Contreras, the 24-year-old star with electrifying talent that has just as much potential behind the plate as he has already displayed with his bat. Contreras collected two hits in game two, and helped manage the bullpen that was forced to enter the game early after Hendricks left in the fourth inning having taken a comebacker off his right forearm.

Samardzija looked uncomfortable in his first postseason start.  It did not take long to realise Samardzija did not have his best stuff on Saturday. Giants manager Bruce Bochy must have come to the same conclusion because he pulled his starting pitcher after two innings — the shortest outing in Samardzija's career.

The Cubs need their young stars to heat up.  With the exception of Javier Baez in game one and Contreras on Saturday, the Cubs' bevy of young talent has struggled to execute thus far in the postseason. Anthony Rizzo, who went 0-for-four with four runners left on base in game two, is 0-for-seven for the series.

HENDRICKS HITS

INDIANS, BLUE JAYS LOOK TO SEAL SERIES

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The Cleveland Indians are at the Boston Red Sox with a 2-0 lead in their American League (AL) Division Series. The Toronto Blue Jays hold the same advantage as they welcome the Texas Rangers. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals meet after their clash was postponed on Saturday.

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