And the Chicago Cubs win the 2016 World Series!

Chicago Cubs: The Postseason

The NLDS started with the gold standard of the National League for the 2010s decade, the San Francisco Giants. The Giants had the best record in the National League at the All Star Break, then fell flat in the second half, almost even missing the playoffs.

Game 1 was a battle of the aces. Johnny Cueto vs. Jon Lester. Both guys absolutely shredded the opposing lineup. The wind was howling in which did not make for a good offensive night. One swing changed the night. There’s Javy, being dramatic again. Show off. 1-0 final, Cubs lead 1-0.

They carried the momentum into Game 2. They struck early, scoring in the first inning off former Cub Jeff Samardzija. They chased Samardzija after the second inning with an already 4-0 lead, including a two-run single by starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks. Hendricks was not the only pitcher to do damage in this game. He had to leave early after taking a line drive off the hand. Travis Wood added the final run of the night on a solo home run, and the Cubs had a 2-0 series lead after a 5-2 win.

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Game 3 looked a lot like a Cubs sweep for most of the game. Jake Arrieta hit a three run home run off Madison Bumgarner in the second inning, which looked like enough. Bumgarner has become a postseason legend after his performance in the 2014 World Series against the Kansas City Royals.

Chapman came to try and finish the game, and gave up a go ahead double to Conor Gillaspie, and we looked primed for a Game 4. Bryant would tie the game in the top of the 9th with a two-run dinger, and we would stay tied until the 13th inning. Joe Panik walked the Giants off and San Francisco lived another day.

Game 4 looked a lot like what the Giants did during their World Series runs. They don’t go away, and hang around before pouncing. We looked primed for a Game 5 as the Giants led 5-2 headed into the ninth inning. A single, walk, double, and it was 5-3 just like that with nobody out. Willson Contreras tied the game with a single. Later in the inning, Javy does it again. Chapman would strike out the side and the Cubs advanced to the NLCS to face the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Cubs led most of the way in Game 1 against LA, but ran into trouble in the eighth inning. Chapman came in with the bases loaded and nobody out. He struck the first two hitters out, but couldn’t get Adrian Gonzalez who tied the game with a two-run single. The bottom of the eighth happened. Miguel Montero provided an iconic moment that will live on forever in MLB lore.

Games 2 and 3 were both shutouts by the Dodgers, and the Cubs rebounded in Game 4 and 5, taking a 3-2 lead back home. Game 6 was Kyle Hendricks vs. Clayton Kershaw. A trip to the World Series on the line. The Cubs jumped out first, scoring two in the first inning, and that was all Hendricks would need.

Hendricks dealed for 7 2/3 innings, and Chapman closed the game with little drama. The Cubs won 5-0 and went to their first World Series since 1945.

The Cleveland Indians were the American League Champions, and the Cubs would travel to Cleveland for the first two games. There was a roster change, as Kyle Schwarber worked his way back to play in the World Series. Game 1 was all Indians, a shutout win. Game 2 was all Cubs, a 5-1 win, aided by an RBI single from Schwarber. The series was even headed back to Chicago.

Game 3 was an Indians shutout, and Game 4 was an Indians blowout win. Just like that, it was a 3-1 Indians lead. It was all slipping away. Everything that the Cubs worked for was snatched from them in the agony of defeat.