Chicago Cubs: Giving the 2016 NLDS comeback another look

Chicago Cubs: Three outs to go – enter Chapman

Closer Aroldis Chapman entered to face the nine hitter, then the top of the order. The flame-throwing left-hander brought out the 100+ MPH heat and the Giants hitters had zero chance. One-two-three they went to clinch the game and series for the Cubs, here is how it went:

Gorkys Hernandez: 1-2 count struck out swinging on a 102 MPH fastball.

Dernard Span: 1-2 count struck out swinging on a 103 MPH fastball.

Brandon Belt: With a 96 percent chance to win the game, Chapman threw a 1-2 102 MPH fastball at the top of the zone and got the lefty to helplessly swing and miss.

Why break this down? This was arguably the most dominant and drama-free inning for Chapman in that postseason run. Only three balls outside the zone on 13 pitches throw with all strikeouts coming on 100+ MPH pitches. A celebration quickly formed on the mound after Belt struck out, and a trip to the NLCS was theirs.

2016 will be talked about forever among Cubs fans and the next generation of them. This is one moment that really should be talked about more. The odds were so against them going into the ninth inning and who the heck knows what happens in a Game 5.