October 29, 2016: Gut Check Time

In the pivotal Game 3, the Indians beat the Cubs 1-0.  They took the lead in the series and won back home field advantage.  One of those things will not change again.  That is of course the home field advantage; what the hell were you thinking?  You think this series is over?  Far from it.  Yes, it’s gut check time again for the boys.  This one felt similar to the Game 1 loss.  Getting shutout wasn’t the only thing in common.

I was so pumped up.  First time seeing the Cubs play in the World Series resulted in an ugly loss.  It was followed up by a tremendous win.  I was so pumped up again.  First time seeing the Cubs play in the World Series in Wrigley Field resulted in another ugly loss.  Let’s hope the pattern stays true.

I will tell you something that is always true in baseball:  You can’t win a game if you don’t score any runs.  The Cubs were shutout for the 4th time in this year’s playoffs.  Yes, you are correct; all of those were losses.  Another pattern held true in this one too.  Since the beginning of the LCS, that’s 14 games now, the team that scores first is 14-0!  That is simply amazing.  What was also amazing is how with the wind gusting out at 15 mph this game ended up to be 1-0.  I’m sure Vegas racked up on those over bets in this one.

I’m sure they also racked up on the Indians win.  Hendricks, coming off a career performance against the mighty Kershaw, coming back to the scene of the mastery, facing some guy named Tomlin.  It was in the bag baby.  Vegas loves to hear that; it wasn’t meant to be.

The Indians are a tough team; I don’t think I’ve said the contrary thus far.  Did I think the Cubs would win Game 3?  Most definitely.  Did I think the Cubs would win the series?  Yes.  Do I still think the Cubs will win the series?  Heck yes.

Even in this game, like many times in the regular season, I didn’t believe the Cubs would lose until that final out was made.  Similarly, I will not believe the Cubs will lose this series until the last out is recorded.  I believe, still do.  Let me remind you for hopefully the last time:  we knew this wouldn’t be easy.

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It’s really amazing how this juggernaut of a Cubs team can look so meek at times.  We are facing the best pitching in the postseason, but I’m just not sure Josh Tomlin belongs in that group; we voted him in tonight.  He can sit right next to Rich Hill at the table of pitchers least likely to dominate this Cubs lineup.  It was ugly, shocking, disappointing, and on and on.  It was the equivalent of sticking your finger down your throat after just scarfing 10 hot dogs.  It ended all Friday night parties early, at least for anyone rooting for the Cubs.

As soon as Baez struck out, I turned off sports; the Matrix it is.  I don’t want to hear another thing about Game 3; there really is nothing good to take from it.  It’s time for the Cubs to continue to have that short memory and bounce back.  It’s what champions do.  It’s what the Cubs will have to do if they want that description next to their name and the year 2016.

Can it be done?  Of course.  It’s a 2-1 series deficit; we were just here last series, so we know it can be done.  How big is Game 4?  I won’t go Must Win on you, because technically it’s not.  But, if we do win, then we have Lester, Arrieta, and Hendricks lined up again, needing to win 2 out of those 3 games.  I’m still believing.

It’s going to take more than a loss like this to shake me, at least this year.  It’s going to take more than going down 3-1 in a series to shake me, at least this year.  The only way to shake me is to completely knock me out, and that would be the Cubs series loss.  Until then, I believe.  I believe the Cubs will respond.  I believe they will still win the series.  I will believe this to the very last pitch.

Right back here Saturday night.  Will this be the final gut check for the boys?  If they can respond once more after a tough loss, will that be enough for us to grab the holy grail?  Or will we truly need to be pushed to the limit?  OK, final time: you didn’t think this would be easy, did you?  It’s not, and it won’t be.  3 wins still remain.  3 more boxes to check off.  We will need to score a minimum of 3 runs in the next 3 games to win; would it be wrong to ask for a little bit more?  Lackey, offense, you’re on.  Let’s Go Cubs!