3 reasons the Dodgers could become undefeated champs

Get ready to dip that World Series trophy in Dodger Blue.

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Chicago Cubs in Game 3 of the NLCS Tuesday night, securing the longest postseason winning streak in franchise history at six games. That streak could broaden, and it's not outrageous to suggest this team could avoid a 2017 playoff loss entirely.

Plenty of buzz has centered on how poorly the Cubs have played, but the Dodgers have executed perfectly when it matters most. Yasiel Puig has become the darling producer he was destined to be, while Justin Turner is a folk hero. And yet, there are three other reasons why the Dodgers could become undefeated World Series champs:

The best rotation imaginable

When Clayton Kershaw has put up the most questionable numbers in the rotation, you know it's a tough nut to crack. The Dodgers have greater starting pitching depth than their remaining rivals, and were already the class of both leagues entering the postseason.

Up next, Game 4 will reintroduce Alex Wood. The lefty helped buoy the Dodgers' rotation in the regular season when it was ravaged by injuries - chief among them to Kershaw - while finishing the campaign with a 16-3 record and 2.72 ERA. That Wood hasn't yet pitched in these playoffs shows just how deep Los Angeles' staff is.

True, he scuffled with a 3.89 ERA in the second half, as his strikeouts vanished and his home-run rate ballooned, but the rest may have done Wood some good. If it works out, the Dodgers will have a fresh Kershaw, Rich Hill, and Yu Darvish heading into the World Series. You have to like those odds.

They don't have Seager ... yet

When Corey Seager was left off the Dodgers' NLCS roster due to a nagging back issue, their hopes of glory were supposedly greatly diminished. This is a player who was worth 5.7 wins above replacement this year, batting .295/.375/.479 with 22 home runs in 145 regular-season games.

Instead of faltering, the Dodgers have received contributions from role players in Seager's stead. Andre Ethier joined the party with a home run on Tuesday, while Chris Taylor continued his breakout with a triple and home run of his own. Don't forget Logan Forsythe, a big disappointment in the regular season, who's gotten on base at a .526 clip and has scored six runs in six games.

Seager could be back for the World Series, and could be the difference-maker even if he isn't 100 percent. Turner brought back memories of Kirk Gibson with his walk-off home run in Game 2 against Chicago, and perhaps a reeling Seager could add his name to Dodgers lore.

Their weaknesses were exaggerated

In late August, the Dodgers were sitting with a superhuman 91-36 record, though they'd started losing a little more frequently than during their peak (L.A. didn't lose consecutive games from June 7 to July 19).

Then the wheels came off a bit. The Dodgers lost 11 straight, and 16 of 17 as their aura of invincibility seemed to wear off.

It didn't help that the Cleveland Indians went on one of the most epic winning streaks of all time. But the Dodgers remain while Cleveland's been bounced, and both streaks have been rendered meaningless in October. The Dodgers haven't just gotten back to their winning ways; they've won each playoff game by at least two runs.

And that's with Cody Bellinger's bat being largely silent (.231/.286/.385). The Dodgers' tool box is loaded for bear, and it really may not matter who steps up to face them.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)