Chicago 365 Playoff Central: Another Grand Ending

     After seemingly endless hype, the Cubs finally started off their NLCS tilt with the Los Angeles Dodgers last night. As with the last round, Jon Lester got the ball for Game 1. Lester started out the game by allowing 4 hits and only 1 run. Meanwhile, the Cubs were busy tacking on runs, leading 3-0 by the end of the 2nd, and 3-1 in the fifth. One of those scores mind you, involved Javy Baez stealing home. I know, right? Baez is just tearin' it up this postseason! After a few more innings, Maddon signals to replace Lester. At this point Lester had only thrown 77 pitches and was still doing great. My sources tell me that this was all done merely so that Lester could be switched out for a different bat in the lineup. If that's why, it was a flop because the next batter for the Cubs still struck out. Regardless, Lester was pissed about the whole thing.

     Moving right along, Lester was replaced by a corps of relievers, until we reached the 8th inning, when Mike Montgomery was pulled for Aroldis Chapman. Now let's think about this for a second. Joe Maddon is a baseball genius. Way too much of a genius to be pulling crap like this. This is the exact same thing we tried in Game 3 against the Giants, and Chapman ended up blowing the six out save, which led us all to stay up till 1:45 AM to watch an ultimately losing effort. Why would he do this again? Chapman goes in, gets the first two outs, and then what happens? He serves up a bases-loaded single that drives in 2 runs and ties the game at 3-3. Chapman may be one of the best relievers in the game, but THE MAN DOES NOT DO A SIX OUT SAVE. I'm wondering how long it'll take Maddon to get that fact into that fantastically gifted head of his.

     Anyway, we finally get out of that inning without any more damage, then the bottom of the 8th dawns on us. Zobrist gets on base, Heyward gets intentionally walked, then Coghlan was intentionally walked. All of a sudden, we've got the bases loaded with two outs for Miguel Montero. He takes one strike. He takes another strike. And then he swings and hits a GRAND SLAM! 4 runs come in, and while Wrigley is still losing its shit over that one, Dexter Fowler steps up and cranks one for another Home Run. All of a sudden the 3-3 tie is an 8-3 lead. A lead that would hold up through the end of the 9th as Hector Rondon would allow only one run to lock down an 8-4 victory in our first ever postseason victory over the Dodgers.

     We're back at Wrigley tonight for Game 2 as Kyle Hendricks goes up against Clayton Kershaw. For the record, I am no more intimidated by facing Kershaw than I would be for any other pitcher. We've faced Bumgarner. We've got to Bumgarner. There's no reason to fear Kershaw. By the end of the night, we'll know just how true that sentiment was. Till then, GO CUBS!!!!!

Chicago 365 Playoff Central: The Giant Killers

     As I was watching the end of Game 4 Tuesday night, I was getting ready to title this post 'DEFCON 1'. I was ready to write all sorts of inspirational, saccharine language to try and talk all of us off the ledge. I was preparing my heart to handle going back to the bar, watching a Game 5, and knowing that Johnny Cueto was waiting for us. I was getting ready for all of that, but then I was saved from all of those thoughts. I'm sure you've all heard the tale of the tape by now. After 8 innings of not playing ball the way we knew they could, the team's bats all of a sudden lit up in the top of the 9th. Between good hitting, even better plate discipline, and some flat out good luck, the Cubs scored 4 runs in the inning to turn a 5-2 deficit into a 6-5 lead. After that, I was PUMPED. But we still hadd to close it out. For that job, the team once again turned to 105 MPH man Aroldis Chapman. The previous night he had blown an attempt at a 6-out save, so this moment was not without apprehension. Luckily, he was his normal dominant self, and mowed down the side 1-2-3. The game ended, and just like that the Cubs had sent the Giants packing(and along with them, all of their even year mojo).

     Two days later, we all had the luxury of sitting back and watching a Game 5 as opposed to having to fret over one involving the Cubs. At the end of it, the Los Angeles Dodgers emerged victorious, which means that we will be playing them starting tomorrow. It also means that we get to avoid facing Daniel Murphy for a second straight October. Not just that, but since Clayton Kershaw came out of the bullpen to close out the Nationals, he won't be able to pitch again until Game 4. Which puts us in a pretty good situation. We shall see just how good it is for us when the National League Championship Series begins tomorrow. Till then, sweet dreams, good thoughts, and GO CUBBIES!!!!!

Chicago 365 Playoff Central: A 13 Inning Marathon

     Going into last night's game against the Giants,  the Cubs had a solid 2-0 lead in the NLDS. But we also knew that we needed to win those first two games so that we could handle what Game 3 would have in store for us. Namely, Madison Bumgarner. If we'd even dropped one game in Chicago, a Giants win would have put them on the brink of taking the series in Game 4 at home. But we had Jake Arrieta on our side. As the game started, both pitchers traded scoreless offerings in the 1st. Then Arrieta decided to help himself out by going yard for a 3 run homer. That was the 4th postseason home run by a pitcher in Cubs history. 2 of those have come since Saturday. The home run also ended Bumgarner's 23-inning scoreless streak in elimination games. By the time the 5th Inning came around, Bumgarner was at over 100 pitches and out of the game. Arrieta would give up two isolated runs, but left the game ahead 3-2. In the 8th, we were close to wrapping up the sweep when Aroldis Chapman came to lace up a six-out save. He got the first out, but then wound up surrendering 3 runs by the end of the inning. At the top of the 9th, the Giants were up 5-3. But then Kris Bryant came up to bat. He took the pitch, and dinged a 2-run homer over the wall. The Cubs would get no more runs though, and the 9th inning ended with the teams tied. Time for Bonus Baseball! The teams traded chances through several extra innings(David Ross missed a great chance to further cement his legend by striking out with two men on base), but the Giants finally broke through in the bottom of the 13th with a deep RBI double. That's 1:45 AM for those of you who were curious.

     What this means is that the Giants stood tall and staved off elimination for one day. While the Cubs' history of heartbreak and the whole even-year thing might tempt some to worry, don't do it. Follow the lead of Joe Maddon. He's the chillest guy in all of baseball. He's probably in the visitor's clubhouse at AT&T Park filling out tonight's lineup while drinking wine and listening to smooth jazz. We have John Lackey and all his postseason expertise on the mound tonight. And it would be best to finish them off tonight. If we don't, Wrigleyville will likely be at DEFCON 1 for Thursday's Game 5. Let's win tonight and give ourselves a nice rest before the NLCS.

Chicago 365 Playoff Central: A Bullpen Game

     Going into Game 2 of the NLDS, the Cubs had already taken an early lead thanks to Jon Lester's Dominant performance and Javier Baez's timely home run. After the introductions, the game began. Jeff Samardzija was coming back to pitch against his former team, and let's just say that things didn't go so well for the Shark. Right away in the 1st inning, the Cubs got a run on the board. After a scoreless bottom of the inning by Kyle Hendricks, the Cubs jumped on the Shark again for 3 more runs. After a few more innings, the Cubs had to make their first change. Hendricks got hit in the arm by a ball. He is okay, but the change was necessary. He was replaced by Travis Wood, who then became the first relief pitcher since 1924 to hit a postseason home run. The Cubs wound up riding a combination of Mike Montgomery, Carl Edwards Jr., and Aroldis Chapman to secure the win. Cubs play the Giants tonight, and are now 1 win away from advancing. Let's go Cubbies!

Chicago 365 Playoff Central: Javy Hits the Home Run Basket

After weeks of anticipation, the Cubs finally kicked off the playoffs last night against the Giants. It was a star-studded affair, with appearances by Da Coach, Theo Epstein, Eddie Vedder, Ryne Sandberg, and Bill Murray(more on him later). By the time Jon Lester threw the first pitch, EVERYONE was ready to play ball. To oppose Lester, the Giants offered up Johnny Cueto. The affair quickly turned into a pitcher's duel, as Lester and Cueto matched each other pitch for pitch. At one point in the 4th, the Giants got two men on base and were threatenng to break the game open. But Lester got things back under control, and the game moved on. A few innings later, the Cubs threatened too, but that too was extinguished. By the time the 8th Inning rolled around, the fans were anxious to see who would blink first. Lester made it through the top half without much undue hardship. Then the Cubbies are up to bat. Cueto shows no sign of slowing down, and it looks like this one is going down to the wire. At the same time, the camera pans over to Bill Murray, hanging out in the stands just like you'd ezpect him to. No sooner than when they return to the action, Javier Baez slugs a savage shot into left-center. The ball drops right into the basket surrounding the bleachers. It's a HOME RUN!!!  The place goes wild, Javy gets a curtain call, and the party is afoot. You can all come to your own conclusions as to whether the sudden appearance of Murray on our screens was a good omen. The Cubs come out to close it out in the 9th with Aroldis Chapman on the mound. He makes quick work of the first batter, and gets some pitches in on the second before giving up a double that looked like it had all the makings of a home run. Eventually he calms down and retires the side for a Cubs VICTORY. After that, Wrigley went nuts. 1 win down, 10 more to go. Tonight's Game 2 starts in about an hour.

Chicago 365 Playoff Central: It's almost Time.

     For the last 3 weeks(and really for the last 6 months), Cubs fans have been waiting for this moment to arrive. The moment that the Chicago Cubs take the field for the real season. The moment that the Chicago Cubs embark on their journey to notch 11 more victories-and end 108 years of heartbreak. There are so many things that could be said about this, but frankly, I think I'll let someone else do the talking for a change. Michael Norton over at Scorecard Sports put together this GREAT hype poem. I'm re-blogging it here, but please go and give him a look too:

Twas the night before Game One, when all through Chicago

Every stomach was turning, with all thoughts on tomorrow;

The W Flags were hung through the City with care,

In hopes that Saint Maddon’s boys soon would be there;

The Cub fans were nestled, all snug in their beds;

While visions of champagne corks danced in their heads;

And some in their jerseys, and I in my cap,

Were tossing and turning, unable to nap.

When all of a sudden, I remembered this season,

I remembered the games back in May that were freezin’

Away to my iPhone I flew pretty fast,

To relive some moments, and dwell on the past;

The moonshot, the pickoff, the walk-off base hit,

The feeling of comebacks, this team never quit;

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

But a team that made all feel that “this year” is here.

With a little old manager, so lively and quick,

Who pressed all the right buttons, and made everything click;

More rapid than eagles, they ran all the bases,

Things were great, you could tell, by the smiles on their faces;

There was Jon, and then Jake, Kyle, Jason, and Hector,

And then Carl, and then Javy, Addison, Ben, and Dexter;

To the top of the scoreboard! To the top of the wall,

To left field, and right field, they hit the baseball;

There was Addy off Jumbo, the no-hitter by Jake,

The wall catch by Rizzo, that made Wrigley shake;

And wherever they went, the baseballs, they flew,

In Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Milwaukee, too;

I remembered when Fowler came back to the team,

And how Heyward and Zobrist fit right in Joe’s scheme;

I thought about Javy, his glove and his bat,

And Rondon and Strop – with his slightly turned hat.

Not to mention Contreras, what a lovely surprise,

And the skills he picked up from Rossy the Wise.

I then closed my eyes, I could hear and could see,

The crowd chanting loudly for their “M-V-P”

His eyes – how they twinkled, made for the silver screen

The crowd would go wild, for good ol’ seventeen.

And then there’s his buddy, his partner in crime,

With clutch hits and putouts, he was there every time.

His defense was great, nothing to underscore,

He’s tops in our books and he wears forty-four.

So tonight when you’re squirming, and thinking oh no!

Know that this team is different; put your faith in dear Joe,

He’s got that broad face and a little round belly,

That shakes when he laughs like a bowl full of jelly,

But he’s also the smartest, and brings out the best,

In his hitters and pitchers he’ll take care of the rest;

And if you are doubting, pessimistic this Fall,

Take a deep breath, just enjoy it, that’s all!

Just eleven more wins, all they need to achieve,

Forget the last 1-0-8, now it’s time to believe,

And tell all San Francisco, we’re afraid of no Giant,

You can keep your BUMgarner, we’ve got Rizzo and Bryant.

     First pitch of Game 1 is in just over 19 hours. Get Ready.

The Ballad of Brianna and Jaelin

     Earlier this month Chicago was rocked by the release of yet another controversial video online. Was it another police shooting? More exposes of corruption on the 5th Floor of City Hall? No. It was something much more earth-shattering:

     For those of you who didn't feel like sitting through all 16 minutes of the video, let me tell you the tale of Brianna and Jaelin White. Two young (and married) whippersnappers, they struck out on their own with only their undying love for each other large piles of Daddy's money to try and flip houses in Chicago, that toddlin' town that it is. But once they got there, they found out that not all that glitters(or smells like piss in this case) is gold. They got into town that first night, crawled out of their Volkswagen Jetta, and stayed in a hotel for their first night in the city. The next day they bravely drove over to their new apartment in one of the roughest neighborhoods in the city: Edgewater(I'm telling you, you can't make this shit up). While Jaelin braved the rough streets to buy a fully-customized bedroom set at Ikea, Brianna was back at the place going all Snapchat-crazy. Jaelin finally makes it back and Brianna embraces him like a proud wife welcoming her man back from the war. Apparently finding(at Ikea) and Snapping(at the apartment) the perfect piece is exhausting, because our brave little couple is famished. So they decide to hop on the 'tram'(that's Red Line in Dumb Twit Language) to get some food at Chipotle. But while waiting at the Granville stop, they're beset by a sinful mortal bum who engages Jaelin in conversation. In a terribly rookie mistake, Jaelin then engages the bum in conversation. The couple quickly realizes that the situation is getting out of hand, and they bail on the Red Line plan in favor of Ubering it up to Chipotle. But then, like a bad penny, a boomerang, or the antagonist in a bad horror movie, CreepGuy emerges from the station behind them. The Whites then take refuge in a Subway.

     I would go on from there, but transcribing 16 minutes worth of entitled white teenager-speak is probably one of the Seven Deadly Sins. If you're really that curious, watch the video. Suffice it to say, by the end of it all they're back home-and homeless to boot. Tommy and Gina went through less turmoil than this. Oh the humanity! Anyway, the way things were going, you know they were gonna crucify these two. And have the citizens of Chicago delivered. Aside from being universally panned on every forum available, one enterprising Chicagoan has even set up a walking tour to pay tribute to these two and their brave yet brief stand against the tyranny of random creepers. As of now the event has more than 4,600 people interested on Facebook, with more bound to see it before the walk on September 6.