Ranking my top 10 Chicago Cubs moments from the last 10 years

Chicago Cubs – #8: Bote’s Ultimate Grand Slam Walk-Off -2018

After being shut down all game by Max Scherzer, Ryan Madson came in to close out the game and struggled. David Bote came up to the plate with two outs and two strikes and bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth (dream scenario if you ask me). He connected with one and sent it into the bleachers for one of the most memorable home runs in Cubs history.

Chicago Cubs – #7: Arrieta’s First No-Hitter – 2015

In the season that finally gave us all hope again, Arrieta was the star of the show. Not only did it show everyone his talent with the game being nationally televised He also showed his talent by no-hitting one of the best National League teams in 2015. He ended the game with 12 strikeouts and 116 pitches. His historic season eventually led him to earn NL Cy Young Award Honors.

Chicago Cubs – #6: Game 5 of the 2017 NLDS

Going into the sixth inning the Chicago Cubs had an 8-4 lead over the Washington Nationals. In a back-and-forth series between two great teams only one could prevail. Washington started to come back and turned the four-run lead into a one-run lead. Wade Davis came into the game to try and keep the Cubs’ season alive. He pitched 2 1/3 innings, ending the game with a strikeout of Bryce Harper.

Chicago Cubs – #5: 2015 National League Wild Card game

Another Jake Arrieta performance makes the list. This one came in the wildest of Wild Card games. Coming into this game, in the regular season, Jake Arrieta won 22 games with a sub-2.00 ERA. Really, it was the year of Arrieta; he tossed his first no-no and won NL Cy Young honors.

Taking the ball against the Pirates at PNC Park in the Wild Card game, he struck out 11 total batters, let up just four hits, and didn’t walk anyone. While the game was won because of this, Kyle Schwarber launched a game-deciding home run into the Allegheny off Pittsburgh aceGerrit Cole and the Cubs were, at last, a force to reckon with.

Chicago Cubs  – #4: Game 6 of the 2016 NLCS

I remember being so scared of a seventh game against the Dodgers and bringing the 3-2 lead back to Chicago was huge. The entire city was abuzz with excitement over the prospects of a World Series.

With the Dodgers on their last leg, they went with their ace Clayton Kershaw on short rest. And the rest is history. Contreras and Rizzo both hit bombs off Kershaw, Kyle Hendricks probably pitched one of his best games ever and the double play to end the game will be engrained in every Cubs fan’s brain forever.

Chicago Cubs  – #3: Game 4 of the 2016 NLDS

Going into the ninth inning down 5-2 as a Cubs fan is usually the point where you’re just watching because there is nothing else on. But 2016 wasn’t a typical year – so instead of being down on ourselves we turned those hats inside out and stayed behind the Cubbies.

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The Chicago offense had been shut down by the San Francisco starters in the series – Madison Bumgarner and Matt Moore dominated the team. But against the bullpen it was a different story. After Moore was pulled that night, the Cubs put up four runs against five different relievers. And then Aroldis Chapman came in to close it out, striking out the side and sending the North Siders to the NCLS.

Chicago Cubs – #2: Game 4 of the 2015 NLDS

From Baez hitting a game-tying two-run home run early in the game to Rizzo’s go-ahead homer and Schwarber’s moon shot – this was a game I’ll never forget, a game for the Wrigley Field books.

I was lucky enough to attend this game and is definitely one of the best sports moments in my life. From the crowd chanting “LACKEY” to the pandemonium of the last pitch. The win coming against the rival Cardinals seemed to be the unofficial changing of the guard atop the NL Central.

Chicago Cubs – #1: That magical Game 7

The night 108 years of drought came to an end. Dexter Fowler’s leadoff home run. David Ross’ last at-bat being a homerun. The ‘oh no here we go again’ when Rajai Davis hit the home run. The rain delay? This can’t be true.

Everything just seemed to be lining up to add to the list of the Billy Goat, the Black Cat, Steve Bartman. But the Cubs pulled it off and won the World Series behind a pep talk from a guy who we thought wasn’t worth the money.