WRIGLEYVILLE — Wrigleyville was awash in a sea of Cubbie blue on Monday afternoon ahead of the first playoff game at Wrigley Field since 2008.
By 2 p.m., fans were lining up to get into the ballpark or filling Wrigleyville bars, with lines extending outside of Murphy's Bleachers and wrapping around Wrigley Field.
Where did all the Cubs fans come from? Where you been hiding? #CubsVsCards
— Stanley Abell (@stanleyabell) October 12, 2015
Fans crowded the streets around Wrigley Field ahead of the Monday playoff game between the Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]
Wrigley Field is ready. #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/6LDbcJztfr
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 12, 2015
Line for bleachers at Gate 10 stretching halfway down Waveland. #CubsVsCards #flythew pic.twitter.com/sStDoQSbXP
— Ariel Cheung (@arielfab) October 12, 2015
The third game in the playoff series between the tied Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals was set to begin at 5:07 p.m. following the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Texas Rangers.
While the Cubs encouraged fans to use public transportation or the team's remote parking lot, traffic was congested around Wrigley Field and parking spots sold for as much as $130 — more than double the regular season price, one attendant said.
Parking up to $100 in some spots near #WrigleyField, more than double normal rate, attendant tells me. #CubsVsCards pic.twitter.com/SNX89xqYMh
— Ariel Cheung (@arielfab) October 12, 2015Parking restrictions began at 7 a.m. and cars were towed in the early afternoon to clear the streets before the game.
Police were on foot and horseback Monday afternoon, directing traffic and preparing for post-game crowd control.
Five mounted units were stationed around Wrigley Field by 2:30 p.m. Monday for the third game in the Cubs vs. Cardinals playoff series. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]
On Wednesday, police closed Clark Street following the Cubs' win in the one-game Wild Card playoff for about three hours. Police will decide Monday whether to repeat the closure based on the post-game crowd.
"If [the Cubs] win tonight, I guarantee it [will be closed]," one officer told DNAinfo.
The fourth game in the series will start at 3:37 p.m. Tuesday. If a fifth game is needed to break a 2-2 tie, it will take place Thursday in St. Louis.
Long lines of cars crowded the streets around Wrigley Field on Monday afternoon ahead of the Cubs vs. Cardinals playoff game. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]
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