Cubs 5 forgotten moments from Game 7 of 2016 World Series

Chicago Cubs: Chapman’s scoreless ninth

Sure, Chapman’s role in that game is mostly defined as his concession of the game-tying homer.

But his scoreless frame in the bottom of the ninth deserves tons of credit and is arguably the most critical moment of the entire game.

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For starters, Chapman was on fumes at this point. He had thrown 21 pitches in the top of the eighth and a whopping 83 in the last three games combined.

Cubs fans had every reason to wonder why in the world, Chapman was on the mound to start the ninth, especially given he was facing the heart of Cleveland’s order.

But despite a fatigued arm and scattered emotions, Chapman retired the side in order

This could have been ugly for the Cubs. The Indians had all the momentum after Davis’ homer and Lindor’s effort to halt Chicago’s rally, and it almost seemed destined they would be the team to break a historic drought.

Moreover, had Chapman gotten in trouble, Maddon would have had to throw a less experienced reliever (perhaps Carl Edwards Jr.) into a high-stress situation. However, Chapman’s performance prevented such a thing from transpiring.

For all of the clamoring about Maddon’s usage of Chapman, this inning was–in hindsight–a miraculous spectacle from the imposing closer, and it ultimately set the stage for Chicago’s triumph.