Finally, the 2016 regular season is history and the Cubs and their fans can focus on wiping away more than a century’s worth of frustration. Or as pitcher Jon Lester put it last last week, It’s “go time” now.
Winning a World Series is never as easy as 1-2-3, so RedEye gives you the Cubs ABC’s to prepare you for playoff baseball.
A is for Aces
At the risk of mixing metaphors, the Cubs have a full house when it comes to terrific starting pitching. Jake Arrieta had a great year as the reigning NL Cy Young winner, Jon Lester and Kyle Hendricks have been nearly unhittable at times and John Lackey has two championship rings. No team in the playoffs can boast a better rotation.
B is for Bryzzo
That’s the co-nickname given to infielders Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, the powerhouse hitters in the Cubs lineup with 102 and 109 RBIs, respectively. The moniker stems from an MLB Network commercial in which the players open the fictional Bryzzo Souvenir Co. Though that could be something to lean on when they hang up their spikes. You know, a decade or so from now.
C is for Controversy
The Cubs took serious heat when they traded for closer Aroldis Chapman midseason. The relief pitcher was suspended 30 games earlier this season for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy. Chapman has kept a low profile off the field since coming to Chicago and has been outstanding on it, surrendering only three earned runs in 26 2/3 innings while earning 16 saves.
“Chapman has fit wonderful as a Cub,” team president Theo Epstein said this week. “He has been great in the clubhouse. He’s well-liked. His behavior has been what you’d ask for since he has been here. He has been outstanding on the mound. Guys love having him around.”
D is for Defense
Although the Cubs commit plenty of errors and aren’t great at throwing out base stealers, their penchant for spectacular plays is noteworthy, as is the amount of ground their fielders cover. Among those most likely to turn in a jaw-dropping web gem? Shortstop Addison Russell. If the Cubs can keep mistakes to a minimum, they’ll be almost impossible to stop.
E is for Eleven
That’s how many wins the Cubs need to call themselves World Series champions. Let the countdown begin.
F is for Friendly
PSA: Keep the Friendly Confines classy, Cubs fans. Use the dope in Toronto who threw a beer can at Baltimore’s Hyun Soo Kim on Tuesday as an example of the complete opposite of how to comport yourselves. We’ve got faith in you, Chicago.
G is for Grandpa Rossy
Red Sox slugger David Ortiz isn’t the only ballplayer on a feel-good farewell tour in 2016. Cubs catcher David Ross, the oldest player on the team at 39, has been serenaded with applause by fans and given the royal treatment on social media. Bryant and Rizzo even created an Instagram account (@grandparossy_3) to commemorate Ross’ final season. Definitely worth checking out.
H is for Honorable
Hats off to Anna Patras, the 24-year-old fan offering a ticket to Saturday’s Game 2 of the NLDS to whoever donates the most money to cancer research. You have until 6 p.m. Friday to get involved, FYI. Watching your favorite team in the playoffs while nourishing your soul is a win-win.
I is for Insurance
Arrieta gave fans a laugh by posing on Instagram in khakis and a red shirt as a nod to the State Farm commercial character. The Cubs pitcher starred in his own State Farm spots, and now Chicago has its new favorite Halloween costume.
J is for Journey
Enjoy every second. Will this season be considered a failure if the Cubs fall short of a title? Perhaps. Does that diminish all the fun the team provided the city getting to this point? Absolutely not.
K is for Kyle
We mentioned the Cubs’ outstanding pitching, but Kyle Hendricks’ breakout performance bears highlighting further. After a decent 2015 season (8-7, 3.95 ERA, 167 strikeouts), he’s a strong Cy Young candidate in 2016 (16-8, 2.13 ERA, 170 strikeouts). Of course, Cubs fans would prefer not to think too much about such things until after the playoffs.
L is for Luck
We won’t rehash the Cubs’ history of superstition here. That would take forever. Yet if fans feel like they need to wear a certain pair of socks, take a particular route to work, eat their favorite food at a given time, whatever, the team will appreciate all the help it can get.
M is for MLB Network
It bears reminding everyone that Saturday’s Game 2 of the NLDS will air exclusively on MLB Network. It’s a pain, we know, but fortunately the network is offering free previews this weekend for customers of AT&T U-verse, Comcast, DirecTV, Dish, RCN and other pay-TV providers through Tuesday. Whew!
N is for Nudity
ICYMI, Arrieta turned heads when he appeared in ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue. He posed while throwing strikes (we assume) somewhere in the Arizona desert. You’re also bound to see half-naked fans throughout the playoffs, for what that’s worth.
O is for Old Style
Although you can get all kinds of beer at Wrigley Field now, thank goodness, this staple isn’t going anywhere. Beer can chicken, anyone?
P is for Present
Buried in Arrieta’s attitude toward whoever the Cubs’ opponents are in the playoffs—”Who gives a [bleep]?”—is sound advice for fans. Best not to dwell on things you can’t control. Take in the other postseason games knowing that the Cubs have a very good chance of beating whoever is in front of them.
Q is for Quilt
You might need one if you’re heading to Wrigley this fall. Whatever the temperature is, figure it’s about 15 degrees cooler once the wind starts howling.
R is for RizzO’s
In the culinary tradition of great athletes, or at least the ones who like breakfast food, Rizzo has his own cereal. You can get your hands on it on Amazon, and a portion of the proceeds goes to charity. Pretty soon we might be able to call it the new Breakfast of Champions (knock on wood).
S is for Songs
Warm up those pipes, Cubs fans. From the national anthem to “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” to “Go Cubs Go” to Eddie Vedder’s “All the Way” to every player’s walk-up music, don’t be ashamed to belt out these tunes so they can be heard across Lake Michigan.
T is for Theo
The Cubs took some suspense out of their offseason by signing Theo Epstein, the architect behind the franchise’s turnaround, to a five-year extension. Can you imagine his star power if he brings World Series titles to Boston AND Chicago? Because we’re not sure we can.
U is for Unconventional
From themed road trips (which make for unforgettable photos) to “Try Not to Suck” shirts to playing pitchers in left field, Joe Maddon has worked magic the past two years. Maybe a little whimsy is just what the doctor ordered.
V is for Vegas
Before long, fans who legally plunked down real money on the Cubs to win it all might be able to cash in. According to MyTopSportsbooks.com, the Cubs carried 8-1 odds to take home the championship before the season started, making them the favorites.
W is for W flag
Take good care of it or buy extras; with this organization’s rise, it will be flying more often than not for the foreseeable future.
X is for X factor
Last year it was slugger Kyle Schwarber, who rose to stardom with five home runs in the postseason. He’s out this year with a knee injury, so the team needs a new breakout hero. Our pick: relief pitcher Carl Edwards Jr.
Y is for Youthful
That’s another way of saying this team excels at having fun and making everyone who follows them feel like a kid again. We can all use more of that from time to time. Dexter Fowler wearing a Miami Dolphins helmet during the team’s simulated game Tuesday is just the latest example of the Cubs reminding everyone that this is indeed a game.
Z is for Zobrist
Acquired in the Cubs’ flurry of offseason moves, Illinois native Ben Zobrist started the year on fire at the plate before coming back to earth, though he still had a solid season. Besides, his versatility and reliability are huge for a manager like Maddon. He also might be the only Cub who is less famous than his wife, Julianna, who is a Christian music artist.
NLDS SCHEDULE
Cubs vs. San Francisco
Game 1: at Cubs, 8 p.m. Friday, Fox Sports 1
Game 2: at Cubs, 7 p.m. Saturday, MLB Network
Game 3: at San Francisco, Monday, Fox Sports 1/MLB Network (time TBA)
Game 4*: at San Francisco, Tuesday, Fox Sports 1 (time TBA)
Game 5*: at Cubs, Thursday, Fox Sports 1 (time TBA)
*If necessary
@redeyesportschi | chsosa@redeyechicago.com
![Fatpour Tap Works, a combined indoor/outdoor space with a dining room, bar, outdoor patio, 20 TVs and 20 beers on draft, opened its doors for its Lincolnwood location at District 1860. It’s the forth location for the restaurant with locations near the McCormick Pace Convention Center, Wicker Park and Wilmette, opened its doors for its newest location at District 1860 on April 25. Owner Erik Baylis said the restaurant is a “place for everyone” and serves modern American food on a menu with salads, flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers, traditional entrees and desserts. The Lincolnwood location at 7244 Lincolnwood location will be able […]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ppn-l-lwd-fatpour-district-1860-0502-01_6be1c2.jpg?w=467 "Fatpour Tap Works, a combined indoor/outdoor space with a dining room, bar, outdoor patio, 20 TVs and 20 beers on draft, opened its doors for its Lincolnwood location at District 1860. It’s the forth location for the restaurant with locations near the McCormick Pace Convention Center, Wicker Park and Wilmette, opened its doors for its newest location at District 1860 on April 25. Owner Erik Baylis said the restaurant is a “place for everyone” and serves modern American food on a menu with salads, flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers, traditional entrees and desserts. The Lincolnwood location at 7244 Lincolnwood location will be able […]")
