Believe it or not, the Chicago Cubs are headed to the World Series.
Kyle Hendricks allowed just two hits over seven innings to lead the Cubs to a dominating 5-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field Saturday night.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo caught the ball for the game-ending double play that sent players, coaches, fans and the entire city into a frenzy.
“I’m sleeping with this thing tonight,” Rizzo told the crowd as he kissed his prized souvenir. “Are you kidding me? We’re going to the World Series.”
No.
It was not a dream. #FlyTheW https://t.co/5nqQKiXYoR
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 23, 2016
The Cubs will look to win its first World Series title since 1908 after falling in its last World Series appearance in 1945.
Cursed by Steve Bartman, the Billy Goat, etc., Cubs fans have been crushed by a century of disappointment, but now have the opportunity to win it all.
In the 1945 World Series, the Billy Goat Curse supposedly began when an owner wasn’t allowed to bring his goat to Wrigley Field. Then in 2003, the Cubs lost the final three games of the NLCS to the Florida Marlins despite being just five outs away and a 3-0 lead in Game 6.
Bartman, seated down the left field line, reached out to catch a foul ball and ended up tipping it away from the outstretched glove of left-fielder Moises Alou. His interference was the catalyst for an eight-run inning for the Marlins who eventual took the series in seven games. Bartman, then had to be escorted from the stands for his own personal safety.
Game 1 of the World Series starts Tuesday with the Cubs going on the road to take on the Cleveland Indians which hasn’t won a World Series since 1948. So somebody is going to end a streak.
The Cubs have opened up as heavy favorites to win the 2016 World Series.
World Series schedule
(All times shown are ET)
Game 1: Tuesday, Oct. 25: Cubs at Indians, 8 p.m. (FOX)
Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 26: Cubs at Indians, 8 p.m. (FOX)
Game 3: Friday, Oct. 28: Indians at Cubs, 8 p.m. (FOX)
Game 4: Saturday, Oct. 29: Indians at Cubs, 8 p.m. (FOX)
Game 5*: Sunday, Oct. 30: Indians at Cubs, 8:15 p.m. (FOX)
Game 6*: Tuesday, Nov. 1: Cubs at Indians, 8 p.m. (FOX)
Game 7*: Wednesday, Nov. 2: Cubs at Indians, 8 p.m. (FOX)
*if necessary
