Rizzo, Cubs snap out of doldrums, even NLCS

Jon Lester gave up one run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLCS at Wrigley Field on October 15, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.

After a thrilling late-game victory in Game 1, the Cubs were shut out in Game 2 and Game 3, with their scoreless-inning streak running all the way to 21 innings before they finally plated a run in the fourth inning of Game 4. You know you won over 100 games; they had a mile and a half lead all year long. “So let’s go out there and play today”. They produced 53 homers and 204 RBI during the year, but in the postseason, were hitting just.057 (3-for-53).

Lester made a huge leap of faith to sign with a team that finished the 2014 season with 89 losses, but he trusted in Theo Epstein’s front office and their assessment of the young guys like Kris Bryant and Addison Russell coming up through the system. “And we know that it’s going to be a quick turnaround to be ready (Thursday), but this was definitely a big game for us”. A win tonight and the picture will change completely-to a tied series with two of the next three games at home and the Cubs’ best pitchers lined up to pitch them. “That (fourth) inning (scoring four) kind of busted things out for us. “(Dodgers starting pitcher) Julio Urias gets a run to work with, we turn the lineup over. The goal every spring is a World Series championship, and it is the very rare season-such as this one-that doesn’t end with the Cardinals at the very least in the playoffs. “I came out to fight for the team”.

Gonzalez was called out while trying to score from second on Andrew Toles’ single, and the ruling was upheld after replays that were interpreted both ways. “I really thought I was the reason they were losing”.

“I don’t know if we have an edge or not”, Heyward said.

“If he can get ahead of the hitters and expand, he’s really good”, Roberts said. Which is just like it is when the Cubs lose. That game had a 10.8 rating in L.A., and 23.9 in Chicago. Chicago has since seen promising seasons derailed by a fan deflecting a ball from a Cubs outfielder at the edge of the stands, a ground ball slipping between the legs of a first baseman, and a black cat menacing the Chicago dugout.

“I guess I’m not easily dissuaded”, Newhart said. “My confidence was still there. I feel pretty good about it”. Russell’s blast opened the floodgates for the team’s offensive explosion, which included a homer and three RBIs from the also-struggling Anthony Rizzo. Lackey looked at Maddon in disbelief as left-hander Mike Montgomery took over.

With Ross and Miguel Montero batting a collective 2-for-17 in the postseason, manager Joe Maddon opted for Contreras in Game 4 and succeeded when the rookie singled in Zobrist.

Merritt coolly kept the Indians ahead until reinforcements arrived, and Cleveland earned its first trip to the World Series since 1997 by blanking the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 Wednesday.

There was, of course, all the hopes and dreams of Chicago Cubs fans behind it.

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