Ranking the Cubs playoff wins from 2016 Part 2 |
Here is our continued countdown (Part 2) of the Cubs playoff wins in 2016:
6. Game 6 of World Series — Cubs win 9-3 This game was huge in the momentum swing of the 2016 World Series. The Cubs had already gotten the series to 3-2, but the Indians still had two games left at home if they needed them. The Cubs offense exploded for nine runs, started off by a Kris Bryant blast in the first inning. Anthony Rizzo notched three hits and drove in two runs — but no offensive performance was larger than Addison Russell's. The shortstop had two hits, one of which a two-run double and the other a huge grand slam. Russell's six World Series RBIs in one game is tied for the most of all-time. Jake Arrieta led the crew of five pitchers to hold Cleveland to three runs and even the World Series up at 3-3, forcing a winner-take-all game seven.
5. Game 1 of NLCS — Cubs win 8-4
Next on the countdown is game one of the NLCS between the Cubs and Dodgers. It was a back and forth affair between the two blue bloods of the National League. The offense was plentiful for the Cubs and Dodgers, and the game went into the bottom of the eighth tied at 3. Then with the bases load, two outs, and an 0-2 count — Miguel Montero launched a rocket to the right for a grand slam and provided what may go down as the loudest moment in Wrigley Field history. Before the electric crowd got settled, Dexter Fowler hit a homer of his own, and the Cubs rode that moment to an 8-4 victory and a 1-0 series lead.
4. Game 5 of World Series — Cubs win 3-2
Although Game 6 of the World Series and Game 1 of the NLCS could be argued as better games, this game gets the nod because of the historical implications. Not only did this game start the Cubs' momentum and one of the most epic comebacks of all-time — but the win was at Wrigley Field, which was the first World Series win on Wrigley grass in 71 years, dating back to the 1945 World Series against the Tigers. This game was a hard-fought, nitty-gritty game that the Cubs ultimately won. In what is often forgotten, Kris Bryant provided one of the most significant home runs of the season — giving the Cubs momentum and typing the score early in the game that they were able to build up enough for a win. Addison Russell and David Ross also drove in runs for the Cubs as Jon Lester pitched six innings and Aroldis Chapman had a save worth two and two-thirds innings of fireballing. This game sparked the comeback and got the series against the Indians to 3-2.
3. Game 4 of NLDS — Cubs win 6-5
"We never quit" they always said. Before the epic comeback from down 3-1 in the World Series, the best in-game comeback came in game four of the NLDS to clinch the series over the San Francisco Giants. Despite a David Ross home run, the Cubs found themselves in a 5-2 hole heading into the ninth inning. The Cubs desperately needed a win because a game five against San Fransisco would mean Johnny Cueto back on the mound who pitch excellent in Game 1, and then Madison Bumgarner looming I the bullpen, with one of the best postseason resumes in pitching history. However, that series never went to a game five and that ninth inning goes down in Cubs history. Kris Bryant singled, Anthony Rizzo walked, and Ben Zobrist doubled to drive in Bryant. The next batter was Willson Contreras, whose single drove in both Rizzo and Zobrist and tied the game. After a bunt/fielder's choice from Jason Heyward, Javier Baez gave the Cubs a 6-5 lead with an RBI single. Aroldis Chapman shut the door, and the Cubs beat the Giants 6-5 and won the series 3-1 for a date with the Dodgers.
2. Game 6 of NLCS — Cubs win 5-0
Next on our countdown of Cubs' playoff games from the 2016 World Series run is the greatest moment in Wrigley Field history. Despite the Cubs having a tough task with Clayton Kershaw on the mount, the Cubs offense brought the boom. Dexter Fowler, Kris Bryant and Ben Zobrist all drove in runs. Willson Contreras homered early on, but the devastating blow came from Anthony Rizzo, who lifted a bomb out into the right-field bleachers and took Kershaw out of the game. On the mound, Kyle Hendricks delivered a masterpiece, truly one of the best pitched games in Cubs history. The professor was dealing for seven and a third innings, giving up just two hits and no runs. Aroldis Chapman came in for the final five outs and shut the door. The last two outs came on a 6-4-3 double play from Addison Russell to Javier Baez to Anthony Rizzo as the Cubs punched their ticket to the World Series for the first time in 71 years. Jon Lester, who dazzled on the mound and Javier Baez, who impacted each game in a multitude of ways, were named co-MVPs of the NLCS. The Cubs beat the Dodgers 5-0 and won the series 4-2.
Stay tuned for the final game of our countdown. I think you know what it is.
