Saturday, October 22, 2016

Cubs Win 1st NL Pennant Since 1945

Half the curse is over.

The Chicago Cubs won their first NL pennant since 1945 with a 5-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the NLCS. They now have the opportunity to win their first World Series title since 1908. They will face the Cleveland Indians, a team that has a World Series drought that goes back to 1948.

Wilson Contreras and Anthony Rizzo hit home runs for the Cubs off Dodgers' ace Clayton Kershaw while Kyle Hendricks pitched 7 1/3 innings allowing only two hits. Closer Aroldis Chapman got the final five outs including a game ending double play by Dodgers pinch hitter Yasiel Puig.

Remarkably, Hendricks and Chapman faced the minimum of 27 batters in the game. The only other time that ever happened in post-season history was Don Larsen's perfect game against the Dodgers 60 years ago.

Cubs' shortstop Javier Baez and starting pitcher Jon Lester were named co-ALCS MVPs.

To put matters into perspective, the last time the Cubs were in the World Series Harry Truman was President, the Second World War had just ended and Mel Brooks was a teenager.

The World Series commences on Tuesday night in Cleveland.

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