SAN FRANCISCO, CA – OCTOBER 11: The Chicago Cubs celebrate after defeating the San Francisco Giants 6-5 in Game Four of their National League Division Series to advance to the National League Championship Series at AT&T Park on October 11, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
MLBBy Sean Keeley on

Even year, schmeven year.

Up two games to one in the NLDS, the Chicago Cubs went into the top of the ninth Tuesday night down 5-2 and facing the fact that they might have let their five-game series with the San Francisco Giants get away from them. Considering the curbed nature of the club as well as the way the Giants always seem to find a way to make playoff magic in even years, it all felt a little too scary for Chicago die-hards.

Then, Kris Bryant singled to start the inning. Then, Anthony Rizzo walked. Then, Ben Zobrist doubled, scoring Bryant. Then, Willson Contreras singled, scoring Rizzo and Zobrist.

Then, Jason Heyward bunted into a force-out but advanced to second on an error. Then, Javier Baez singled and Heywood scored.

And just like that, the Cubs had the lead. They would not relinquish it in the bottom of the 9th as all three Giants batters struck out swinging. Cubs win the game, 6-5, and the series, 3-1.

And with that, the Chicago Cubs are back in the NLCS for the second-straight year. They now await the winner of the NLDS series between the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers (series tied 2-2). The curse that shrouds this franchise will loom large but everything really does seem to be pointing to a new destiny for this franchise, and it’s fans, in the 2016 playoffs.

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.

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