Chicago Cubs: Milwaukee Brewers
Cubs-Brewers has given us a lot of great contests over the years, while the teams have been involved in a few NL Central races together as well.
One of those races took place in 2007 when the squad eventually came out on top. A crucial game from that season was on June 29, when the Brewers jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead in the first inning at Wrigley Field. The team got to within 5-3 heading into the ninth when the Cubs rallied for three to win, capped by a two-run home run from Aramis Ramirez off Francisco Cordero. The Cubs were still looking up at the Brewers in the standings at the time, though it would prove to be a critical win late in the season.
Then there was 2008. Heading into a four-game series at Miller Park July 28-31, the Cubs were up on the Brewers by just one game. The Cubs put the Brewers in their place, sweeping all four games. And let’s not forget September 18, when the Cubs erased a 6-2 deficit in the ninth inning at Wrigley Field, capped by a three-run homer from Geovany Soto. The Cubs would eventually win in 12.
All that said, I’m going to let my personal bias take over here and say that my favorite memory took place on September 16, 2016, when I was in attendance at Wrigley Field. The Cubs had mathematically clinched the division the previous night when the Cardinals lost but hadn’t got to have a celebration yet.
Down 4-2 in the ninth, the Cubs rallied for two to tie it. Then, Miguel Montero homered to left to lead off the tenth for a walk-off win. Afterward, the Cubs celebrated their division title on the field. Though we all had much bigger goals in mind, it was a great afternoon to be at Wrigley.