MLB: The Cubs' (Potential) Dynasty
The Chicago Cubs defeated the Washington Nationals, 9-8, last night in Game 5 of the National League Divisional Series, and following their thrilling victory, they’ve clinched a spot in the Championship Series for the third straight season. That’s the first time the Cubs have done that in their franchise’s history, which as most of you know, hasn't really been all that relevant for much of the last century.
Chicago, who was regarded as a doormat in the National League for much of my lifetime and prior, are now, suddenly on the verge of a potential dynasty. After coming up short to Daniel Murphy and the New York Mets in 2015, the elusive title was (finally) captured last year, in the most dramatic baseball game I’ve ever watched. Ben Zobrist played the hero in Game 7, as the Cubbies escaped Cleveland with a World Series win, completing a 3-1 comeback over the Cleveland Indians. And I’m sure you all know that story.
But the story that is untold is what remains to be seen in the future. It’s impossible to know if the Cubs will win another title with this current core intact or if they’ll turn into the next great sports dynasties alongside the Alabama Crimson Tide, Golden State Warriors, and New England Patriots. Who knows? But what we do know is that this team can not be overlooked in the 2017 NLCS against the league-best 104-58 Los Angeles Dodgers.
L.A. has Clayton Kershaw, a future Hall of Famer, to pair with Yu Darvish, who would be most staffs' top pitcher. And beyond that, Rich Hill and Kenley Jansen aren't too far behind. Then on the other side of the ball, the Dodgers sprint out Cody Bellinger, likely NL Rookie of the Year, Yasiel Puig, Corey Seager, Justin Turner, and Curtis Granderson, equating to one of the best lineups in all of baseball.
But let’s not forget about the team that resides in Wrigley Field. Not only do they have the talent, with guys like 2016 NL MVP Kris Bryant, Wilson Contreras, Anthony Rizzo, and Addison Russell, but their starters don’t fold to just anyone either. 2015 Cy Young Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, John Lackey, and recently acquired Jose Quintana have the juice to push the Cubs forward another round, at the very least.
And lastly, possibly most important of all, Chicago has a monumental edge in experience. Each guy that was previously mentioned, with the exception of Quintana, played in the World Series last year. In fact, two of the pitchers (Lackey and Lester) have six combined rings. Add on to the fact that Zobrist has won two titles in a row, and that Joe Maddon has a pair of World Series rings and is a three-time Manager of the Year - This team won’t go silently, if they go at all.
Game 1 will pit Kershaw against either Lackey or Quintana out in L.A. and I could see the Dodgers winning it because it’ll be on their home field, with a possible Cy Young winner, and after five days of rest. But don’t bet against the Cubs in any game during this series (or any for that matter), because if they’ve shown us anything over the last three years, it’s that they’re going to keep shocking the world one round at a time.
Photo Credit: NBC Sports & Rolling Stone.