#6. 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs v. #70. 1998 NL East Champion Atlanta Braves
The number two remaining overall seed in this tournament is the 2016 Cubs. The 1909 Cubs have already advanced. There isn't a Braves team that has moved forward yet, they have two bullets to fire and this is the first.
Cubs 103-58 Mgr. Joe Maddon (2nd NL MoY)
1st in NL Central
d. Giants in NLDS
d. Dodgers in NLCS
d. Indians in WS
d. #123 1955 Yankees (MVP-Jorge Soler/Addison Russell)
All-Stars SP Jake Arrieta, 3B Kris Bryant (NL MVP) OF Dexter Fowler, SP Jon Lester (2nd NL Cy Young) 1B Anthony Rizzo (4th NL MVP) SS Addison Russell, 2B Ben Zobrist,
Braves 106-56 Mgr. Bobby Cox (5th NL MoY)
1st in NL East
d. Cubs NLDS
lost to Padres in NLCS
d. #59. 1968 Tigers (MVP-Chipper Jones)
All-Stars 1B Andres Galarraga, SP Tom Glavine (NL Cy Young) 3B Chipper Jones, C Javy Lopez, SP Greg Maddux (4th NL Cy Young) SS Walt Weiss
Hall of Famers: Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, Bobby Cox
Braves-Bobby Cox
3B Jones (26) (SH) 148 6.4
LF Klesko (27) (LH) 117 1.9
1B Galarraga (37) 157 4.4
C Lopez (27) 124 4.5
RF Williams (31) 122 1.9
CF Jones (21) 116 6.9
SS Weiss (34) (SH) 94 2.2
2B Lockhart (33) (LH) 83 1.5
P Maddux (32) 187 8.5
Bench:
SS Guillen (34) (LH) 82 .5
RF Tucker (27) (LH) 95 .4
2B Graffanino (26) 56
C Perez (30) 145
LF Bautista (26) 74
OF Pride (29) (LH) 93
SP2 Glavine (32) (LH) 168 6.3
SP3 Smoltz (31) 144 5.2
This could be the lineup every day; the lefty bats are just too far behind the RH bats to start in a platoon; but that's a decision that can be revisited in game 3.
Cubs-Joe Maddon
CF Fowler (30) (SH) 123 3.9
RF Zobrist (35) (SH) 121 3.8
1B Rizzo (26) (LH) 143 6.3
3B Bryant (24) 146 7.6
C Contreras (24) 122 2.2
LF Coghlan (31) (LH) 109
2B Baez (23) 94 2.3
SS Russell (22) 94 3.9
P Hendricks (26) 196 5.5
Bench
C Montero (32) (LH) 82
C Ross (39) 106
LF Soler (24) 103 .6
LF Szczur (28) 88
3B LaStella (27) (LH) 103
RF Heyward (26) (LH) 68
3B LaStella (27) (LH) 103
CF Almora (22) 99
SP2 Lester (32) (LH) 171 5.5
SP3 Arrieta (30) 135 5.1
Soler/Coghlan is straight platoon; that might be the only swap.
WAR Advantage:
C-Braves
1B-Cubs
2B-Cubs
SS-Cubs
3B-Cubs
LF-Braves
CF-Braves
RF-Cubs
SP1-Braves
SP2-Braves
SP3-Push
Bullpen-Push
WAR: Cubs 5 Braves 5: Cubs have seed advantage, are the second top remaining seed in the entire tournament, but the WAR is a push on the strength of the 3 Hall of Famers the Braves are sending out to pitch in this series. Bryant, by a nose, is the best position player but Maddux is the best player overall. This is a real upset possibility here - but the Cubs are the lean with that home field advantage in game 5.
GAME ONE
1st: Alright. Wrigley Field is frenzied. Game One - Cubs/Braves could be a helluva series to kick off Region 6. 26 year old RH Kyle Hendricks is on the mound for the hometown 9. 16-8, 2.13. Through 2020, he's a career Cub - came up in '14 and was 7th in Rookie of the Year. This year he was 3rd in the Cy Young. At the time of this writing, he's leading the league in innings pitched in 2020. Weird ass 2020. Chipper Jones takes his first pitch and deposits it over the center field wall. The Braves are on the board before the National Anthem finishes. Andres Galarraga singles an out later, it ends here. Braves 1 Cubs 0
1st: The Cubs are favored, albeit slightly - but the best player on the field is Greg Maddux, 32 year old RH, 18-9, 2.22. These Cub fans know all about Maddux, he was 20 years old when he broke in right here in Chicago back in '86. Made his first All Star team in '88, third in the Cy Young in '89. Won the Cy Young in '92 and then signed with the Braves. Won the Cy Young his first 3 years in Atlanta -- 1993, 1994, 1995. That's 4 straight Cy Young awards. 5th in '96, 2nd in '97. 4th this year. He'll be third in 2000. In '04, at the age of 38 - Maddux will come back here, to Wrigley, for another 2 1/2 years with the Cubs. His last season is 2008 with the Dodgers. He gives up a one out Zobrist single, that's it.
2nd: Keith Lockhart singles with 2 out. Lockhart didn't break in until he was 29, four years ago with the Padres. In '97, he and Michael Tucker come from the Royals for Jermaine Dye. He'll be here until '03 when he finishes back in San Diego. A passed ball moves him up a base and then Maddux singles him home. How big a lead does Maddux need? Braves 2 Cubs 0
2nd: Willson Contreras walks with one out. He's also a career Cub through 2020; he's a rookie, splitting his time in left and behind the plate. Probably he catches every day in this series, but that's TBD. He makes the All Star team in both '18 and '19. That's all.
3rd: Hendricks hits Galarraga with one out. Galarraga is 37; he came up with the Expos in '85, 7th in the MVP in '88, 10th in both '93 and '94 with the Rockies and then 7th in '97. This is his first season in Atlanta, he finished 6th in the NL MVP, he moves onto Texas in '01 and finishes with the Angels in '04 at the age of 43. Javy Lopez then reaches on an error and Gerald Williams doubles both men home. This is a pretty healthy lead to hand Greg Maddux, Braves 4 Cubs 0
3rd: Javier Baez singles, another career Cub through 2020, up in '14 at 21 years old, he split his time this year among third/second/short - the plan is he plays second throughout the series, but again, TBD. He will finish second in the NL MVP in '18. That's all.
4th: 1-2-3
4th: Ben Zobrist walks. He's 35, up with the Rays a decade ago, 8th in the AL MVP back in '09. This is his first year with the Cubs, he's at second most of the season - but gets enough games in right to qualify - and with Heyward having so little bat, moving him to the outfield for the series is the choice. He plays through '19. Nothing else.
5th: Ryan Klesko doubles. He was 21 when he came up in '92, 3rd in the Rookie of the Year in '94. He's got one more year in Atlanta and then is send to San Diego with Bret Boone for Wally Joyner and Reggie Sanders. His last year is '07 with the Giants. An out later Lopez doubles him home - and it might be close to time to start thinking about Game 2 - and after the second out - Andruw Jones hits a two run jack -- and now it is definitely time to start thinking about game 2. Braves 7 Cubs 0
5th: Russell singles with two out, that's all.
6th: 1-2-3
6th: Zobrist singles with one out, that's all.
7th: 28 year old RH Adam Warren has a 5.91 ERA and he comes on for the Cubs, who are definitely thinking about game 2. He walks Klesko, that's it.
7th: Contreras singles with one out, nothing else.
8th: Lockhart walks with 2 out - the Cubs bring in 28 year old RH Trevor Cahill with his 2.74 ERA and he ends it.
8th: 1-2-3, Maddux has allowed just 5 hits.
9th: Chipper singles. Chipper was the MVP back in round one; he's 26. Came up in '93, 2nd in the Rookie of the Year in '95. 4th in the MVP in '96, 9th last year, 9th this year and he will win it next year. He'll have two more top 10 finishes - '01 and '07. He plays until he's 40, in '12 and makes the All Star team that year. That's it.
9th: Zobrist leads off with a walk, two outs later Bryant singles - and that's it.
Braves 7
Cubs 0
WP Maddux
LP Hendricks
Six hit shutout for Maddux - the Cubs were never in this one.
For the Braves...
Chipper reached twice, w/HR
Klesko reached twice
Galarraga reached twice
Andruw Jones homered
Lockhart reached twice
For the Cubs...
Zobrist reached 4x
Contreras reached 2x
3B Jones (26) (SH) 148 6.4
1B Galarraga (37) 157 4.4
C Lopez (27) 124 4.5
RF Williams (31) 122 1.9
CF Jones (21) 116 6.9
LF Klesko (27) (LH) 117 1.9
SS Weiss (34) (SH) 94 2.2
2B Lockhart (33) (LH) 83 1.5
SP2 Glavine (32) (LH) 168 6.3
3B Bryant (24) 146 7.6
RF Zobrist (35) (SH) 121 3.8
1B Rizzo (26) (LH) 143 6.3
C Contreras (24) 122 2.2
CF Fowler (30) (SH) 123 3.9
LF Soler (24) 103 .6
2B Baez (23) 94 2.3
SS Russell (22) 94 3.9
SP2 Lester (32) (LH) 171 5.5
GAME TWO
1st The Cubs are the number two remaining overall seed but if they lose today they have a nearly impossible uphill climb. 32 year old lefty Jon Lester was 19-5, 2.44. We've seen Lester with a Red Sox team that lost in this round. Lester's pitched in 17 postseason series, 154 innings and a 2.51 ERA. 9-7. And in the World Series - even better, a 1.77 ERA in 35 innings. He walks Galarraga with one out, Javy Lopez singles - and after the second out Gerald Williams singles. But Lester escapes.
1st: The Braves are up a game and have another Hall of Famer ready to fire at the Cubs; Like Maddux, Tom Glavine is also 32, like Lester, he's a lefty. 20-6, 2.47. Glavine broke in back in '87, in '88 he lost 17 games and in '91 he won the Cy Young. 2nd in '92, 3rd in '93, 3rd in '95 - he won the Cy Young this season (the Cy Young winner did not start game one for the Braves, that's the kind of pitching we're talking about) and will finish second in 2000. After 16 seasons with the Braves, Glavine signs with the Mets in '03, he'll come back to Atlanta to finish up in '08. After two out, he gives up singles to Rizzo and Contreras. That's it.
2nd: Walt Weiss singles with one out. Weiss was 23 when he came up with the '87 A's, then he won the Rookie of the Year in '88. This is his first year in Atlanta and his only All Star appearance. He retires after the 2000 season. That's all.
2nd: Addison Russell singles with 2 out, Russell's 22, came up last year, made the All Star team this year - he's not on a big league club in 2020. Nada.
3rd: Chipper walks. After an out, Javy Lopez singles. The Braves catcher is 27, broke in back in '92, 10th in the Rookie of the Year in '94, made his first All Star team last year and made it again this season. His big year is '03 when he'll be 5th in the NL MVP and then sign with Baltimore. He finishes in Boston in '06. That's it.
3rd: 1-2-3
4th: Andruw Jones singles. Jones was just 19 when he came up in '96, 5th in the Rookie of the Year a year ago, he'll be 8th in the MVP in '00 and 2nd in '05 when he hits 51 homers (51 homers!). Jones leaves for the Dodgers in '08 and finishes with the Yankees in '12. Klesko singles and the Braves have them on the corners - nobody out in a scoreless game 2. Weiss grounds into a double play, scoring the game's first run. Lockhart walks - that's it, pretty good from Lester to get through that. Braves 1 Cubs 0
4th: Dexter Fowler draws a one out walk. Fowler's 30, came up with the Rockies in '08, 8th in the Rookie of the Year in '09, led the league in triples in '10, Last year was his first in Chicago, the Cubs got him from Houston for Dan Straily and this year was his only ever All Star appearance. Fowler signs with the Cards next year and is still there in 2020. Baez singles after the second out - but the Cubs remain off the board.
5th: Chipper walks, after the first out -- Javy Lopez hits a 2 run homer and look out now - the Braves are up a game, the Braves are up 3-0 - and the Cubs are looking way, way up now in this series at an Atlanta team poised to knock them out. After the second out Andruw Jones doubles, That's all. Braves 3 Cubs 0
5th: Chris Coghlan pinch singles. Coghlan was in yesterday's lineup, sitting against a lefty. That's all.
6th: 31 year old RH Pedro Strop takes over for the Cubs, he's got a 2.85 ERA. 1-2-3
6th: Willson Contreras walks with one out, that's it. Glavine's allowed just 5 hits - the Cubs have not scored a run in the series.
7th: Andres Galarraga homers. Man oh man - do you think the Cubs score 5 today? Because that's what it will take to avoid going down 2-0 with the series heading to Atlanta. Lopez singles - 27 year old RH Justin Grimm comes on and ends it. Braves 4 Cubs 0
7th: 1-2-3 -- Glavine's dealing.
8th: Weiss and Lockhart walk, 24 year old RH Carl Edwards enters, gets through it.
8th: 1-2-3 -- 8 straight for Glavine - this Wrigley crowd had enormous, enormous hopes heading into this tournament and they sure look shellshocked now.
9th: Williams singles with one out, That's all.
9th: 1-2-3 -- Glavine ends the game by retiring the last 11 batters. Damn.
Braves 4
Cubs 0
WP Glavine
LP Lester
5 hit complete game shutout for Glavine puts the Braves a game away from advancing.
For the Braves...
Chipper reached 4x, w/HR
Klesko reached 4x
Galarraga reached 4x/w HR
Lopez reached 4x in game 2
Williams reached 2x in game 2
Andruw Jones reached 3x w/HR
Weiss reached 2x in game 2
Lockhart reached 4x
For the Cubs...
Zobrist reached 4x
Contreras reached 4x
No one has come back from an 0-2 deficit - that's the task awaiting the Cubs. And they have to beat three Hall of Famers to do it.
CF Fowler (30) (SH) 123 3.9
2B Zobrist (35) (SH) 121 3.8
1B Rizzo (26) (LH) 143 6.3
LF Bryant (24) 146 7.6
C Contreras (24) 122 2.2
3B LaStella (27) (LH) 103
SS Russell (22) 94 3.9
RF Heyward (26) (LH) 68
SP3 Arrieta (30) 135 5.1
3B Jones (26) (SH) 148 6.4
LF Klesko (27) (LH) 117 1.9
1B Galarraga (37) 157 4.4
C Lopez (27) 124 4.5
CF Jones (21) 116 6.9
RF Tucker (27) (LH) 95 .4
SS Weiss (34) (SH) 94 2.2
2B Lockhart (33) (LH) 83 1.5
SP3 Smoltz (31) 144 5.2
GAME THREE
1st: In the '98 NLCS the Braves lost to the Padres, Maddux lost once, Glavine lost twice. So - even if a team fires three Hall of Famers, they can still be beaten. But maybe not during this series. John Smoltz is a 31 year old RH, 17-3, 2.90 and he can close this one out. Smoltz came up a decade ago, made the All Star team in '89, '92, '93, won the Cy Young in '96, this year, he was 4th. He misses 2000 with injury and moves to the bullpen, he's third in the Cy Young as the Braves closer in '02, returns to the rotation in '05 and is 7th in the Cy Young as a starter in '06 and then finishes 6th at the age of 40 in 2007. Smoltz finishes up as a Cardinal in 2009. He gives up a one out single to Zobrist and walks Rizzo, and that's it.
1st: The monumental climb for the Cubs starts with Jake Arrieta, 30 year old RH, 18-8, 3.10, he broke in with Baltimore in '10, he and Pedro Strop came over to the Cubs during the '13 season and his career takes a huge jump, 9th in the Cy Young in '14, he wins it the year following, and this year he finished 9th again. He signs with the Phillies in '18 and remains there in '20. He gives up a 2 out Galarraga single, that's all.
2nd: Smoltz gives up a 2 out Jason Heyward single - there's desperation in the Cub lineup today, multiple changes including Heyward's first start. Heyward is familar with Atlanta - broke in with the Braves in '10 and was 2nd in the Rookie of the Year, they sent him to the Cards in '15 for Shelby Miller and this is his first season in Chicago. He's still there in '20. it ends here.
2nd: Andruw Jones singles. An out later Walt Weiss walks - that's it.
3rd: 1-2-3
3rd: Ryan Klesko doubles with one out, an out later, Lopez singles -- but that's it. Still scoreless.
4th: Contreras doubles with 2 out and then Tommy La Stella, another first time starter in this series for a Cubs team looking for some offense, walks. That's all.
4th: Walt Weiss singles after an out and then Keith Lockhart follows with a single of his own. Smoltz then walks and the Tomahawk Chops are everywhere -- bases loaded and just one out. Chipper hits a sac fly and there's the first run. Cubs 0 Braves 1
5th: With two outs, Fowler walks - steals second - and then Ben Zobrist homers. Ben Zobrist homers off of John Smoltz and the Cubs have their first runs of the series - and on the next pitch Anthony Rizzo hits a rocket - deep - deep over the right field wall. Back to back for the Cubs 3 Braves 1
5th: Andruw Jones singles with two out, that's it.
6th: 1-2-3
6th: With two outs, Gerald Williams pinch singles, Chipper then follows with a single and the tying runs are on base. But Arrieta escapes.
7th: 29 year old RH Rudy Seanez enters for Atlanta, he's got a 2.75 ERA, he walks Fowler with one out, and then Anthony Rizzo does it again -- a 2 run shot that explodes into the left field seats and the Tomahawks have gone silent. Cubs 5 Braves 1
7th: Galarraga walks, that's enough for Maddon, Pedro Strop enters, he gets 2 and then gives up a Michael Tucker single - it's Tucker's first start of the series. Weiss walks. Bases loaded. Two out. Lockhart singles - it scores a run. Cubs 5 Braves 2
8th: 44 year old RH Dennis Martinez is handed the ball. He broke in all the way back in '76, with the Orioles. He was on the '79 team we've already seen in this round. 5th in the AL Cy in '81. He's sent to the Expos in '86 and is 5th in the Cy Young in '91. In '94, he goes to Cleveland, and this is his first and last year in Atlanta, it's his last year in the major leagues. 1-2-3
8th: Justin Grimm enters for the Cubs - 6 outs from forcing game 4. He walks Chipper and Klesko and the Braves are in business. After an out, Lopez singles to score a run. Carl Edwards comes on for Chicago and ends it. Cubs 5 Braves 3
9th: Heyward singles, and out later Fowler walks, Zobrist then singles home Heyward and that should send us to game 4. 27 year old RH Mike Cather comes on, after an out he hits Bryant and ends the inning. Cubs 6 Braves 3
9th: Hector Rondon is a RH, 18 saves and a 3.53 ERA, he gets two and then gives up a pinch single to Eddie Perez. But that's all.
Cubs 6
Braves 3
WP Arrieta
LP Smoltz
The Cubs ride three homers to beat Smoltz and keep their tournament hopes alive.
One more in Atlanta. Can the Cubs beat Maddux?
For the Cubs...
Zobrist has reached 7x w/HR
Contreras has reached 5x
Fowler reached 3 times in game 3
Rizzo hit 2 game 3 homers
Heyward reached 2x in game 3
For the Braves...
Chipper reached 6x, w/HR
Klesko reached 6x
Galarraga reached 6x/w HR
Lopez reached 6x in game 2-3
Williams reached 3x in game 2-3
Andruw Jones reached 5x w/HR
Weiss reached 5x in game 2-3
Lockhart reached 6x
CF Fowler (30) (SH) 123 3.9
2B Zobrist (35) (SH) 121 3.8
1B Rizzo (26) (LH) 143 6.3
3B Bryant (24) 146 7.6
LF Contreras (24) 122 2.2
C Montero (32) (LH) 82
SS Russell (22) 94 3.9
RF Heyward (26) (LH) 68
P Hendricks (26) 196 5.5
3B Jones (26) (SH) 148 6.4
LF Klesko (27) (LH) 117 1.9
1B Galarraga (37) 157 4.4
C Lopez (27) 124 4.5
CF Jones (21) 116 6.9
RF Pride (29) (LH) 93
SS Weiss (34) (SH) 94 2.2
2B Lockhart (33) (LH) 83 1.5
P Maddux (32) 187 8.5
GAME FOUR
1st: Greg Maddux shut out the Cubs in game 1 - if he does it again, the series is over. Maddux pitched in 23 postseason series, 3.27 ERA in 198 innings, a record of 11-13. Strongest in the World Series, a 2.09 ERA in 38 innings, still a record of 2-3. Dexter Fowler hits his first pitch for a triple - Maddux gets one but Rizzo follows up that two homer game with a base hit to score a run. After the second out, Willson Contreras doubled -- the Cubs were dead and buried and now they have a game 4 lead. Cubs 2 Braves 0
1st: Kyle Hendricks lost game one but he's staked to a lead. Hendricks has 8 postseason series, 51 innings and a 2.98 ERA. He's 2-3 -- In 9 World Series innings pitched he gave up one earned. 1-2-3
2nd: Addison Russell doubles and scores on a Jason Heyward single -- Jason Heyward did not play in round one, did not play in Chicago - but he comes to Atlanta, where he had his greatest success - and here he is driving in a run against Greg Maddux. An out later Fowler doubles - Maddux doesn't have it today. It's 4-0. Maddux hits Zobrist and gives up a run scoring single to Rizzo. Maddux does not have it today. Zobrist scores on a Bryant groundout. Are the Cubs about to force game 5? Cubs 6 Braves 0
2nd: Andruw Jones walks with one out - he's at second after the second out and scores on a Walt Weiss base hit. Cubs 6 Braves 1
3rd: 1-2-3
3rd: 1-2-3
4th: Fowler reaches on a one out error and scores on a Zobrist double. Rev up the plane - we are heading back to Wrigley. Cubs 7 Braves 1
4th: 1-2-3
5th: 1-2-3
5th: 1-2-3, 10 straight for Hendricks
6th: Heyward walks, that's all.
6th: Klesko walks with two out, that's it Hendricks hasn't allowed a hit since the 2nd.
7th: 1-2-3, Maddux hasn't allowed a hit since the 4th, but it is too late.
7th: 1-2-3
8th: 1-2-3
8th: 1-2-3, Hendricks is tossing a one hitter.
9th: Mike Cather enters, 1-2-3
9th: Adam Warren comes on to end the game, 1-2-3
Cubs 7
Braves 1
WP Hendricks
LP Maddux
Kyle Hendricks 1 hits the Braves in Atlanta - the Cubs win both games in Atlanta and we head back to Wrigley for the showdown.
For the Cubs...
Zobrist has reached 8x w/HR
Contreras has reached 6x
Fowler reached 5 times in game 3-4 w/triple
Rizzo reched 4x in games 3-4 w/2 homers
Heyward reached 4x in game 3-4
For the Braves...
Chipper reached 6x, w/HR
Klesko reached 7x
Galarraga reached 6x/w HR
Lopez reached 6x in game 2-3
Williams reached 3x in game 2-3
Andruw Jones reached 6x w/HR
Weiss reached 6x in game 2-3
Lockhart reached 6x
And so - it all comes down to one game. Glavine against Lester in Wrigley. Winner moves on.
3B Jones (26) (SH) 148 6.4
1B Galarraga (37) 157 4.4
C Lopez (27) 124 4.5
RF Williams (31) 122 1.9
CF Jones (21) 116 6.9
LF Klesko (27) (LH) 117 1.9
SS Weiss (34) (SH) 94 2.2
2B Lockhart (33) (LH) 83 1.5
SP2 Glavine (32) (LH) 168 6.3
3B Bryant (24) 146 7.6
RF Zobrist (35) (SH) 121 3.8
1B Rizzo (26) (LH) 143 6.3
C Contreras (24) 122 2.2
CF Fowler (30) (SH) 123 3.9
LF Soler (24) 103 .6
2B Baez (23) 94 2.3
SS Russell (22) 94 3.9
SP2 Lester (32) (LH) 171 5.5
GAME FIVE
1st: Jon Lester goes to the mound. Game Five. Wrigley Field. Winner take all. Chipper singles. 2 outs later Javy singles. That's it.
1st: Tom Glavine goes to the mound. Game Five. Wrigley Field. Winner take all. After two outs Rizzo and Contreras single, Fowler singles. Loaded up. Glavine escapes.
2nd: After an out, Klesko and Weiss single. Tense, tense, tense here in Chicago. Lester gets the second - but then gives up a Glavine single to score a run. Braves 1 Cubs 0
2nd: Baez singles. nothing else.
3rd: 1-2-3
3rd: Contreras hits a 2 out double, that's all. 6 innings left in this series. Braves up a run.
4th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Lester.
4th: Baez doubles with 2 out - he didn't play in Atlanta, the Cubs won both games - but he's back in the lineup today and he has two hits. Glavine intentionally walks Russell - Lester stays in to hit and the inning ends.
5th: Keith Lockhart singles. Chipper singles after an out. After the second out Javy singles and the Braves have loaded the bases. Big spot. Big spot. Gerald Williams singles home two - the Braves take a 3-0 lead here in game 5. Andruw Jones singles -- Klesko singles -- that scores two more! The Braves have a 5 run lead - the visiting team has won all 4 games and now they are staring at the 5th. Weiss walks - and Lockhart singles home 2 and that's 7, the Braves have exploded, exploded here in the 5th and taken an enormous lead. Lester's gone, Trevor Cahill enters- that's all. That sure seems like enough. Braves 7 Cubs 0
5th: Just a stunned silence here in Wrigley. Their Cubs came back to even the series in Atlanta but are now getting blasted here in game 5. Bryant walks, an out later Rizzo singles, and then Willson Contreras hits a three run bomb to center. A 3 run Contreras homer buts the lead to 4. Fowler singles -- and Jorge Soler doubles him home -- just like that - just like that it's 7-4 and Wrigley is howling. That ends Glavine's day - Mike Cather enters, the inning ends. Braves 7 Cubs 4
6th: Cahill still in for the Cubs - he gives up a one out Galarraga single - that's it/
6th: Cather's still in the game -- can the Cubs continue to come back? Bryant walks with one out. But that's it. We go to the 7th.
7th: 1-2-3. Harry Caray, from the grave, sings Take Me Out to the Ballgame.
7th: Rudy Seanez comes on. Anthony Rizzo doubles. Huge Wrigley roar. But that's all.
8th: Pedro Strop is the new Cubs pitcher. He walks Weiss, gets the next two - but then Chipper singles, it scores Weiss - that might do it - that might be the dagger. Braves 8 Cubs 4.
8th: Chris Coghlan hits for the pitcher with 2 outs, he walks. That brings on Dennis Martinez -- and he gives up a 2 run homer to Kris Bryant! Wrigley is Rattling it is 8-6 Braves. Zobrist singles. That brings the tying run to the plate. Rizzo singles. That puts the tying run on base. And Contreras singles! Zobrist is going to score! It's 8-7! It's 8-7! Martinez hits Fowler! The bases are loaded. 2 outs. Braves clinging -- if ever a team was clinging - the Braves clinging to a 1 run lead...and Jorge Soler singles! Soler singles! Rizzo scores -- Contreras scores! The Cubs have taken the lead! This old stadium might collapse under the sheer weight of the delirium! 9-8 Cubs! Martinez walks Baez - that's as far as it goes. Braves 8 Cubs 9
9th: Hector Rondon gets the call. The Cubs are 3 outs from moving on.
Javy Lopez hits the first pitch over the wall in right center! Gone! Gone! The Braves have tied this score! Just an unbelievable - an unbelievable roller coaster in this series.
Williams grounds to short. One out.
Andruw Jones flies to center. Two out.
Klesko grounds to short. We head to the bottom of the ninth - Braves 9 Cubs 9
10th: Just an all timer here in Chicago no matter how it turns out.
The Braves turn to John Rocker, 23 year old lefty with a 2.13 ERA.
The Cubs go with a 22 year old rookie, Albert Almora, to pinch hit. Almora flies to right. One away.
Kris Bryant comes to the plate - Bryant had been super quiet the first four games, but hit that 2 run homer in the 8th to keep the Cubs alive -- AND BRYANT HITS IT DEEP TO LEFT, IT COULD BE, IT MIGHT BE, IT IS! KRIS BRYANT HOMERS OVER THE IVY IN LEFT AND THE CUBS - THE CUBS HAVE WON THIS SERIES!
Braves 9
Cubs 10
WP Rondon
LP Rocker
A series you just cannot believe. The Braves win games 1-2 in Wrigley. The Cubs win 3-4 in Atlanta. The Braves take a 7-0 lead in Game 5 and lose 10-9 on a walk off homer in an all time classic baseball game.
For the Cubs...
Zobrist reached 9x w/HR
Contreras reached 10x w/HR
Fowler reached 7 times in game 3-5 w/triple
Rizzo reched 8x in games 3-5 w/2 homers
And Kris Bryant hit those two home runs to win this series.
It's gotta be Bryant. He wasn't the best player throughout the series - but a 2 run homer in the 8th and a walkoff in the 9th. What more can you ask? Rookie of the Year in '15, NL MVP this year. Kris Bryant is the MVP
The 2016 Cubs are team #21.
