The Cubs live to fight another day, a raucous Chicago crowd was not ready to see their team roll over after waiting 71 years to be back in the big game. The Cubs, facing a 3-1 deficit, backs against the wall like never before, stepped up in the biggest game of their lives, but it was not always smooth sailing in this game 5 at Wrigley. Jon Lester, the Cubs best pitcher, the guy every Cubs fan wanted on the mound in an elimination game, came through big time for the Cubbies, just a regular day at the office for Jon though. Lester got off to an incredible striking out the side in the first inning, he was the first pitcher to do that in the World Series since John Smoltz in 1996, so it's definitley not something you see everyday. In the second inning every Cubs fan heart would drop into their stomach when Jose Ramirez hit a solo bomb to put the Indians up 1-0 in the second. Lester would settle back down right after that looking like it didn't even phase him, probably because it didn't. Trevor Bauer, the game 5 starting pitcher for the Indians, was cruising through 3 innings, facing just 10 batters, and striking out 5 of them. Then the 4th inning came around, this has been the inning where the Cubs bats seem to come alive, I don't know if it's because it's the second time through the lineup so they're getting more comfortable against the starter or what, but something certainly starts to click during that inning. Kris Bryant, who has been absolutely miserable in this World Series, finally was the sparkplug the Cubs needed him to be, he hit a solo homerun to lead off the inning, and tied the game up at 1. Anthony Rizzo, Bryant's partner in crime, would follow up Bryant's home run with a double to get the go ahead run in scoring position all by himself. Ben Zobrist would get a single moving Rizzo to third, leaving runners at the corners for Addison Russell, mind you that there's still no outs at this point. Addison Russell would hit a short little chopper to third, Rizzo who was busting it down the line on first contact scored with no play at the plate, and Russell was able to beat the ball out for an infield single. Now with runners on first and second no outs, Jason Heyward came to the plate, automatic strike out, shouldn't of even made the  pitcher throw the pitches, so now the Cubs had 1 out with two men on, and Javy Baez coming to the plate. Baez would lay down a beaut of a bunt, loading the bases for the Cubs player coach David Ross. Ross the savvy veteran that he is made sure to get at least one run across, he didn't try to do too much, just hit a fly ball deep enough to left to score the run from third making the score 3-1. Lester was the next batter, he struck out, and that was that. Lester would give a run back in the 6th on a Francisco Lindor RBI single, I can't say enough about this kid, 23 years old, and he's playing out of his mind in the biggest series of his career, that's a true superstar right there. Aroldis Chapman would come in to get the biggest save of his career, to make matters even worse he'd have to get 8 outs for this save. That's baseball for ya now a days in the sabermetrics era, no more trusting relievers to bridge the gap between your starter and best reliever, just extend the amount of outs your closer has to get. Thankfully for the Cubs the Yankees blessed them with one of the best closer's in the game and Chapman was able to get the job done, the Cub would win 3-2, and pick up there first World Series win at  Wrigley in 71 years. Cubs head back to Cleveland needing to win both games to win the series, will the Indians get to win the World Series on their home field, or will the Cubs be able to break the curse in Cleveland.

Job well down by the Indians, they've now guaranteed the series has to come back to Cleveland so a tip of the cap to them for doing their job in Chicago, any other wins they can get is just a bonus now. What a series this has been, last night was definitley the closest game of the series, it had you on the edge of your seat, but in each game the momentum has changed hands as well despite not being as dramatic. Just goes to show how important momentum is when you have just two really great ball clubs, seems like the team without the momentum in this series has been the one win the next game. The Cubs now have their backs against the wall, down 2-1, knowing 3-1 is a death sentence, today is most likely a must win game, but you never want to admit that as a player or even as a fan really. It's definitley a must win game, the Cubs aren't going back to Cleveland and winning two games, that's ludicrous, Cubs need to win the next 2, it's more than possible with Lackey and Lester pitching the next two games. Two of the most experienced postseason pitchers in baseball taking the mound for the Cubbies, if I'm a Cubs fan, I'm very confident with our chances in games 4 and 5. The Cubs bats are a different problem, a lineup that had no problem scoring runs all year has now managed to somehow psych themselves out to the point where the entire team can no longer hit. I don't know if it's just me, but I don't think the Cubs have been able to go more than 2 games without being held to 1 or 0 runs in this entire postseason. The lineup sucks, we all know they don't, but for some reason they're trying to prove to us they do, and they're doing a damn good job of it. For as bad as the Cubs have looked my confidence in them winning has never wavered. I coined with the idea of the Indians winning this series after last night's game for a moment, but it just doesn't feel right, the Cubs are destined to be 2016 World Series champions, I don't know what's going to happen, but I will not lose faith in this Cubs team. One way or another Chicago will get their World Series trophy this year, maybe in 6, maybe in 7, but they'll be getting it, the baseball gods know it's their time. Also just wanted to give a shout out to my childhood hero Coco Crisp on the big game winning RBI last night, guys been in the league forever and is still producing in the biggest of moments, had to show my guy some love. If Coco Crisp hit a walkoff homerun to win this series I'd be totally okay with it, and honestly not that surprised he's been killing it this postseason in the few oppurtunities he has gotten. 

Cubs got off to a much needed good starting in the run scoring department last night. Bryant got a single, followed by a Rizzo double, and the Cubs were off the a quick one to nothing lead. Arrieta found himself in a little trouble in the bottom of the first walking two batters after getting the first two guys out. Arrieta has had problems with his command on and off all season, that's the reason he's no longer the ace of this staff because last year he was virtually unhittable, we were seeing signs of that command problem early in this game. Cubs pitching coach came out to the mound, settled him down, and Arrieta got the next batter to fly out to deep centerfield. From there on out, Arrieta was in control the rest of the way, he'd go 5 2/3 innings, before getting pulled in the 6th after he let his only run of the game on a wild pitch. Trevor Bauer did not have quite the same fate as Arrieta after his first inning struggles. Kyle Schwarber, who tore two ligaments in his knee back in April, would get the Cubs second run of the game on a RBI single in the 3rd inning. Trevor Bauer was clearly struggling early, despite only allowing two runs, Terry Francona decided to turn things over to his bullpen to ensure Bauer didn't let this game get out of hand. Francona's bullpen would let him down though, this was only the 5th inning of the game so Francona couldn't go to his usual shut down studs yet, and the Cubs batters jumped all over the average middle reliever Zach McAllister. Anthony Rizzo drew a walk after a Kris Bryant strike out, and then Ben Zobrist would hit a triple driving in Rizzo to make the score 3-0. Bryan Shaw came into relieve McAllister after the Zobrist triple. Shaw has been the best Indians reliever this year besides for the big guns at the back end, Miller and Allen. Well, he didn't look to great last night, he needed to get two outs to escape the inning, which give his team somewhat of a chance to comeback, but no, he got introduced to Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber would drive in Zobrist on a single up the  middle, and continue to prove why Theo Epstein is such a genius for bringing this guy back, and throwing him into the biggest fire possible because he knew he could handle it, despite what all the critics were saying. The Cubs would then score another insurance run just because of the Indians playing sloppy baseball, Kipnis would make an error, and then Shaw walked two batters in a row leading to the Cubs scoring without even having to hit. Cubs were up 5-0 at this point, they'd give one back up to the Indians in the 6th on a wild pitch that I had previously mentioned, and that's all she wrote. After that the run scoring was over and the bullpens on both sides were just getting batters out. Cubs win game two and head back to Chicago with the series tied, some momentum on their side, and more importantly the Indians now have a little fear struck into their hearts. Will the Cubs be able to win the next three games at home and close this series out in Chicago, or will they give the Indians a chance to bring the series back to Cleveland where they could close it out at home for their wild fan base. 

Any momentum the Cubs had coming into this series was gone after the first inning and was resettled with the Indians. Cleveland was feeling themselves tonight, they were in the World Series for the first time in 68 years, and across the street the Cavaliers were raising their championship banner. This is the most success Cleveland has ever seen in their city, they have no clue how to even react, that's why you got videos of Cavs fans eating their own feces at the championship parade, imagine if the Indians win, the whole city might burn to the ground. Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves though it's only one game, but it certainly was an assertive win by the Indians. Corey Kluber who I'd say has been the best postseason pitcher this year, took the bump for game one, and threw an absolute gem. Not surprised at all, it's become routine for this savage, his veins are pure ice, no stage is too big for Kluber. Kluber struck out nine in 6 innings pitched allowing only 4 hits, just another day at the park for this stud. Lester who had been praised coming into this game for his previous World Series gems, was kinda a train wreck tonight. He did strike out 7 batters, but he allowed 6 hits, he walked 3 including a HBP that walked in a run, and he allowed 3 runs in 5 2/3 innings.  A very lackLester  performance, can't expect the guy to be lights out every time, either way it doesn't matter he could've pitched a shutout and the Cubs still wouldn't have won because they can't score runs. The fact that they have all these all stars in their lineup and still can't manufacture a run over the course of nine innings, it's embarrassing. The Cubs lineup had 15 strikeouts, that means more than half their outs came via strikeout, resulting in no possibility of advancing runners or even scoring runners on sacrifices, which they had plenty of opportunities to do today. The beautiful thing about the World Series or just postseason baseball in general is that every single game is different, you hear that and think obviously, but what I mean by that is whatever happened the day before doesn't matter, each game is a different battle in the war, yes you might gain some momentum throughout the war, but the beautiful thing is that the momentum in baseball can shift in a heartbeat, and they always say a series doesn't start until somebody wins on the road anyway. Luckily for the Indians they don't even have to win on the road, they have home field, so they can just win their 4 games at home, and win the World Series. In all seriousness though, the Indians are built a lot like the Royals World Series team, a great bullpen that can shorten the game drastically, and a lineup that puts the ball in play a lot. That's a formula to success, the Indians also have much better starting pitching than the Royals did so they're already looking like a team that can win this World Series with ease. The Cubs slumping and their pitcher not bringing his best stuff is only going to make things a whole lot easier for the tribe. Also, quick shoutout to Roberto Perez who hit 3 home runs all season, and then tonight decides to hit 2 driving in 4 RBI's on his way to being the star of the night. Indians fans don't seem to upset about Jonathan Lucroy opting not to come here now, but I'm sure he's regretting it from his couch in Texas. Cubs had a little hangover from their NLCS party, tomorrow is another day, and hopefully they'll bounce back because history is not on their side if they go down 0-2.

Over the past week, we have heard several rumors and rumblings that Kyle Schwarber would be joining the Cubs' if they made it to the World Series, and just a few minutes ago, the Cubs' officially announced that he will be on the World Series roster. Schwarber tore his ACL and LCL during the third game of the 2016 season, and has been sidelined since. It was rumored in the past few weeks that Kyle's recovery was going great, and that he would play in the Arizona Fall League, making him eligible to play in the playoffs at any point the team saw fit. Well it looks like that point has come, and many believe that Schwarber will DH game one for the Cubs'.
As a rookie last season, Schwarber hit .246, with 16 home runs and 43 RBI's in only 69 games. He emerged as one of the best young power hitters in the game, and seemed poised for a huge season in 2016. If Kyle is truly healthy enough, and feels confident enough to jump into the biggest series in the franchises history, than I think the Cubs' will give him a chance to hit early on, if he doesn't start, by pinch hitting or something of that manner. I would love to see a game one mile high Schwarbo (s/o Big Cat), and a Cubbies win; Jon Lester vs. Corey Kluber, doesn't get much better.

Finally, the only thought running through the mind of Chicago Cubs fans as they advanced to the World Series for the first time in 71 years. Most Chicago Cubs fans weren't even alive the last time they got to play in the World Series. So, this is something new for most of us, I can certainly say it was definitley a weird feeling watching the Cubs win game 6 and advance to the World Series. I'm sitting there watching the game thinking to myself, "this isn't really happening right", it just doesn't feel conventional. I knew they were going to win the series, but still it doesn't mean i can't be stunned watching it actually happen, we all witnessed a special moment in sports history last night. I was one of the few that thought the Cubs were going to beat Kershaw, everyone called me stupid, no ones going to beat Kershaw right, it's postseason my friends, all conventional thinking goes out the window, you have to take it game by game. Kershaw has not historically been a great postseason pitcher, knowing that and knowing that he has pitched very solid this postseason I knew he was due for a bad outing. Not only that, the Dodgers had this guy pitching more in the past two weeks then he did in the previous three months, so I'm sure his arm wasn't feeling 100%. The Cubs brought the game to him, they were hitting him hard, and hitting him often. As soon as the Cubs were able to put up two runs in the first everyone knew this game was over, Dodgers were expecting a Kershaw gem, so as soon as he looked somewhat human again, you could tell the entire Dodger team lost faith. It also didn't help the Dodgers cause that Cy Young hopeful, Kyle Hendricks, threw an absolute gem. Hendricks was locked in and regardless of how big his lead got he continued to pitch like it was a tie ball game all the way through. Rizzo continued to rake, he hit another home run, and he credits his bat change for all his recent success. I credit a Ben Zobrist bunt for the Cubs recent success because that was the turning point in this series. It also broke everyone out of their postseason slumps. The Cubs bats were able to put a 5 spot on Kershaw and they'd end up winning game 6 5-0, advancing to their first World Series since 1945. Cubs will face off against the Indians in the World Series, these two teams hold the longest drought in their respective leagues for longest time without a championship. No one knows what the outcome of the World Series will be, but we do know it'll result with one team celebrating for the first time in a long time. Oh yeah, someone get Steve Bartman a beer, I'm sure that guy is the most relieved person in the world right about now.

I can't say I didn't call this because I totally did, after the Cubs bats finally woke up last night after a base hit bunt from Ben Zobrist I knew this Cubs team would stay hot, and steam roll the Dodgers the rest of the way. Cubs got on the board early in this game picking up a run on a Rizzo RBI single, Rizzo is now 5 for 10 in his last two games getting hot at the perfect time. Dodgers would tie up the game in the fourth on an Adrian Gonzalez RBI fielder's choice. 6th inning rolled around and the Cubs came alive once again after an Addison Russell two run blast to make the score 3-1. Addison Russell who had been struggling mightily just like Rizzo has also been getting hot these last two games, going 5 for 10 with 2 dingers, and 4 RBI's. The Cubs big break through inning would come in the 8th inning, they'd put up 5 runs on a couple of infield singles, and a Javy Baez double that would eventually lead to an 8-1 score. That was plenty of run support for the veteran work horse Jon Lester, Lester pitched 7 innings allowing just 1 run, and he would strike out 6 along the way. Cubs went on to win the game 8-4 as they head back to Wrigley Field with a 3-2 series lead in the NLCS. The Dodgers gave the Cubs a little scare early in this series, unfortunately they weren't able to keep these Cubs down for long, and will now inevitably lose in game 6. I know everyone's thinking Kershaw will win the Dodgers game 6 on the road, but I for some reason do not share the same confidence. Game six at Wrigley will be a lot different then game 2, the Cubs bats have been rolling opposed to slumping which they were at the time, and Cub fans will be a very enthusiastic bunch as many of the fans will get to see their Cubbies go to the World Series for the first time since 1945. Just no one let Steve Bartman into the building and the Cubs will be heading to the World Series.

Coming into this game all the pressure was on the Chicago bats to produce. A lot of pressure was falling onto the Cubs, after winning 103 games in the regular season, it just looked like they had lost their mojo in this series. They've been playing uptight, meanwhile the Dodgers are playing loose just having fun playing the best game in the world, and the Cubs all the meanwhile have the 108 year drought in the back of their minds. Tonight, the cubs knew they had to make a statement, and they knew this was a must win game. They certainly played with those things in the back of their mind tonight because they returned to regular season form, clearly showing that you can't keep this lineup quiet for long. Julio Urias, a 20 year phenom, took the mound to start game 4 for the Dodgers. Urias looked great through the first 3 innings, he didn't allow a hit, he did walk 2 batters, but he also struck out 4. So he was cruising through 3 innings of work, as the Cubs bats continued to struggle. Then came the fourth inning, Ben Zobrist lead off the inning, now he has been struggling mightily in the postseason, yet Joe Maddon continued to show trust in him leaving him in the 3 spot. Slumping heavily, Zobrist did the best thing a hitter can do when they're slumping and just can't find a way to get on base, he bunted. He laid down a textbook bunt, busted his ass down the line, and got himself a single to lead of the inning. Javy Baez, one of the few Cubs hitters producing in this postseason, followed that up with a base hit. Wilson Contreras would then get a single as well driving in Ben Zobrist for the first run of the game. This would be the first run the Cubs have scored in the last 21 innings in this NLCS series. Baez would then score on a fielders choice making the score two nothing. Addison Russell who has been the worst of the worst for the Cubs in this postseason which is saying a lot, finally broke through, and hit a two run blast to make the score 4-0. Urias would exit the game after getting the next batter out, leaving the Dodgers bullpen with a lot of innings to eat up. The Cubs weren't even close to done raking either, Anthony Rizzo would then break out of his slump and hit a solo shot in the fifth to add to the score making it 5-0. The Dodgers would get 2 runs back in the bottom of that inning, but then the Cubs came right back in the sixth adding four mores in a merry go round of an inning. Ultimately putting the nail the coffin for game 4. Who would've thought that a bunt single by the Cubs 3 hitter would get the Cubs bats back to their juggernaut ways. I don't know if it was Zobrist's call to bunt or if Joe Maddon called it in, but the 3 hitter bunting is something I don't think I've ever seen before, and I absolutely love it. If Joe Maddon made the call he's an absolute genius, if Ben Zobrist made the call on his own he's a fucking gamer, that takes a special kind of team player to lay down a bunt when your one of the best hitters on the team. That's team baseball right there, that's the stuff that wins you rings, it's the little things that make all the difference in baseball, they call it the game of inches for a reason. After watching the Cubs catch fire tonight, I believe they will now steam roll the competition the rest of the  way. As much as I'd love to see the Cubs keep their identity as the lovable losers, I just really think this is the turning point in the war. This is the battle of Saratoga in the American Revolution, the Cubs needed not just a win tonight, they needed to send a message. People were saying the Dodgers were in the Cubs heads, the Cubs proved that theory wrong tonight as they put a merciless beat down on this Dodgers team. Cubs are going to win the next 2 games, regardless if Clayton Kershaw pitches, which he will. The Cubs looked like they lacked confidence as group, playing super tense, the Dodgers had a chance to land a fatal blow tonight, instead they let the Cubs find their groove, and get their mojo back. Cubs in 6, Indians vs Cubs for the world series crown is what I see in my crystal ball of common sense, Dodgers had their chance couldn't capitalize, now their fresh salmon for these young Cubs to feast on. Atta boy Cubbies, way to bounce back, show composure, and kick ass.

The year of Cleveland sports, that's what this seems to be, after the Cavaliers brought the city of Cleveland it's first championship in over 50 years, the Indians are looking to change the narrative around Cleveland sports. For years Cleveland has been known as the city of losers, although the Browns still suck and forever will suck, the Indians are looking to change the city's image to, Cleveland, the city of champions. The Blue Jays avoided the sweep yesterday with a win in game 4. Their bats that have been dead all series finally came alive and propelled them to victory. They expected the bats to stay hot tonight as they faced off against Ryan Merritt, a rookie pitcher who had pitched all of 11 innings in the MLB coming into this game. Too bad Merritt was lights out, he wouldn't go very deep in the game only pitching 4 1/3 innings, but he only allowed 2 baserunners, and struck out 3 of the 14 batters he faced. Marco Estrada took the bump for the Blue Jays, he's been the Blue Jays best starter this postseason, giving them performances where he goes deep into the game, and doesn't allow more than 3 runs. Today, he would pitch 6 innings, allowing 2 runs total, one on a Mike Napoli RBI double, and the other on a Carlos Santana home run. The Indians would tack on another run in the 4th on a Coco Crisp homerun, that guy was my idol growing up as a little league outfielder in baseball so it's nice to see him still mashing. The Cleveland bullpen which has been absolutely outstanding all postseason continued that trend tonight. Andrew Miller, who has been the focal point of that bullpen gave another outstanding performance today, he pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing just one base runner. He's been absolutely dominate as the Cleveland long set up man in the bullpen. Makes me sick to my stomach knowing the Yankees gave this man up, even if we got a stud prospect in return. Cody Allen came into the game in the bottom of the 9th looking to send the Indians back to the world series for the first time since 1997, he'd proceed to pick up the save, and send the Cleveland Indians to World Series. Cleveland now awaits the winner of the Cubs-Dodgers series, the Indians will then look to end a 67 year World Series drought, the longest current streak in the AL. MVP of this series goes to the Indians bullpen for being absolutely remarkable, Indians fans just gotta hope they can carry it through the World Series, and this team could very well be your World Series Champions. Go Tribe Go.

Cub fans have one thing on their mind after tonight's game, the curse. Everyone wrote the Dodgers off before this series even started, including myself. Even after the loss in game 2 to Kershaw I don't think many people thought the Dodgers would have a legitimate chance at winning this series, but that's why they play the games. A man that was pitching for the Long Island Ducks last summer was now pitching in a pivotal game 3. That man was Rich Hill and boy did he live up to the moment. He threw 6 shutout innings, allowing just 2 hits, and struck out 6. The two hits he let up were to Kris Bryant, besides him the rest of the Cubs lineup looked lost up there against Hill. Kershaw and Hill are two lefty pitchers that throw curveballs as the majority of their pitches. It just so happens that the Cub hitters are awful at hitting the curveball, hitting a combined .190 against the curveball. These lefty pitchers were an absolute nightmare for these Cubs hitters and they have another one coming for them in game 4, the young up and coming star Julio Urias. Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves though, back to tonight's game. Jake Arrieta, clearly the bigger name of the two starting pitchers, didn't look like his former Cy Young self tonight. He allowed 4 runs in 5 innings, giving up two huge home runs to Yasmani Grandal and Justin Turner. Corey Seager continued his postseason tear going 3 for 4 with a RBI single. The Dodgers stayed very aggressive all night, in the bottom of the 8th when they were already up by 4 they decided to keep putting the pressure on, making sure they could get all the insurance runs possible. Puig would score on a hit and run double from Joc Pederson. Pederson would then steal 3rd and score on a fielders choice, it's the little things like that ensure you win ball games, and it also just absolutely deflates the other teams confidence. Speaking of deflating confidences, the Cubs did not look like a very confident team late in this game judging by their body language, that's the absolute last thing you want to see as a Cubs fan. The look of defeat when there's so much baseball left to be played in this series is definitley not a good sign, I swear it's like the Cubs are psyching themselves out, and they're over-thinking things way too much. Just play baseball man! That's what the Dodgers are doing, they're just playing the game hard, and good things are happening. Dave Roberts has been the real MVP of the postseason for the Dodgers thus far, he's proving to be a bright young managerial mind, and his unorthodox methods have been working great. Cubs ultimately would end up getting shutout for the second straight game, losing this one 6-0. The Chicago Bats needs to pick it up and pick it up fast, especially the middle of that order which has just been absolutely dreadful this series. Dodgers now take a 2-1 lead in this series and every Cubs fan is not going to be able to sleep tonight. The curse is real folks, I'm sorry if you're one of those science people because you're just flat out wrong, this curse is very real, and it's ruining the lives of Chicago fans everywhere.