Chicago Cubs: History could happen right before our eyes

The Chicago Cubs are one win away from making history. One win away from ending one of the longest streaks in sports history. And it could happen at Wrigley Field.

One victory. One nine-inning game. Twenty-seven outs. That is all the stands between the 2016 Chicago Cubs and the end of a 71 year World Series drought. About 10% of the United States’ population can say they were around the last time the Cubs made it to the World Series. Can you imagine the celebrate if that happens?

The good thing about needing just one win is that there are two games left in the NLCS. Two chances to break the streak. The bad part is they will have the two pitchers that beat them in the series, Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill. However, these are not the same Cubs from those games.

In the two games against Kershaw and Hill, the Chicago Cubs scored zero runs, and batted .100. Compare that to a .329 average in Games 4 and 5 in which they score 18 times. Both Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell finally contributed to the offense, knocking in eight of the 18 runs. Both have multiple hits in each of the last two games, including three combined home runs.

More from Chicago Cubs News

• Cubs: Adrian Sampson is forcing his way into the conversation
• Projecting the Chicago Cubs bullpen to open the 2023 season
• Cubs fans are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel
• Justin Steele has evolved into a frontline starter for the Cubs
• The future of first base is murky right now for the Cubs

The offense will need to stay on this roll in Game 6 if the Cubs are to break the streak. There is no doubt that Kershaw is Major League Baseball’s premier pitcher due to his stellar fastball-curveball combination. If he is on, it will be hard to win. But…

What if…

What if the Cubs win the NLCS? First of all, it means the Chicago Cubs will head to the World Series. Those are words that have been mere speculation over the years; however, now it would be fact. All of those analysts, fans of other teams, and even our of fans that constantly talk curse will be silenced. The Cubs will be in the World Series. The mantle and pressure that goes with the team with the longest absence from the World Series will then fall onto the Washington Nationals, who have never been in their 47 year history.

What if the Cubs beat Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6? Beating the best pitcher in a series clinching game will only boost the confidence of a team that is already loose and focused. If they can beat Kershaw, they can handle the match-ups they would face in the Series. Especially if they win in convincing fashion.

What if the Chicago Cubs win the NLCS? The weight and pressure will be off the players that were in the 2015 NLCS. The players that sat in the dugout and watched as the New York Mets celebrated on the mound at Wrigley Field will feel as if the monkey is off their backs. Sure, more games follow, but the nightmare that haunts the dreams of the current club started last year. It will be the ultimate confidence boost. It will lead to the massive party in the clubhouse and for Cubs’ fan across the nation.

Next: Chicago Cubs jump ahead of the Dodgers in the LCS

So, on Saturday, find a place to watch the game. Enjoy the pitching match-up. Celebrate the good moments and put your head in your hands when something does not go right. But be prepared. You could be watching history.