WRIGLEYVILLE — The Cubs are three wins away from their first World Series appearance since 1945 after an epic 8-4 victory in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series over the Dodgers at Wrigley Field on Saturday night.
The Dodgers rallied to tie the game at 3-3 with two runs in the eighth inning, but Miguel Montero's grand slam in the bottom part of the frame gave the Cubs a 7-3 advantage. Dexter Fowler then hit a home run for an 8-3 lead.
#FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/PWkETvaXsB
— Evan F. Moore (@evanFmoore) October 16, 2016
Grand slam reaction from @NiseiLounge. #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/mqHPuwsSNX
— Evan F. Moore (@evanFmoore) October 16, 2016
The Cubs have never won an NLCS, losing to San Diego in 1984, San Francisco in 1989, Florida in 2003 and the New York Mets last year.
The Cubs get on the board 1st w/a 2B from Kris Bryant. #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/aU2eE7QMaG
— Evan F. Moore (@evanFmoore) October 16, 2016
.@javy23baez is the first #Cubs player to steal home in the #postseason since 1907! pic.twitter.com/FwfrYvpJkb
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 16, 2016
Lifelong fan Roxy Foss, cheering from Murphy's Bleachers, was pumped after the Cubs grabbed an early lead.
"I'm jazzed up. I've been a Cub fan all of my life," Foss said. "My dad told me when I was young that I was going to be a Cub fan."
Fans Alli Fisher and Bethany Burt, college friends, moved from Minnesota to the Lakeview/Wrigleyville neighborhood three months ago.
"It's great being here during such a fun time. We grew up as Twins fans and now we've left that behind," Fisher said. "We're new to the area and it has been so electric."
Burt echoed Fisher's sentiments.
"We love it here. We wanted to be in the middle of things," Burt said. "We're having so much fun."
Cubs fans milled outside Wrigley prior to the game. That included Rick Kada, who's been going to games dressed as Elvis Presley for two years.
"I love the Cubs I've doing this for two years. Go Cubs Go!" he said.
Here's Rick "Cubs Elvis" Kada's rendition of Blue Suede Shoes. #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/A4kCtAluxu
— Evan F. Moore (@evanFmoore) October 15, 2016
The Cubs beat the Giants in four games, while the Dodgers defeated the Nationals in five in their respective National League Division Series.
Shakeia Taylor, an Ohio native who normally roots for the Indians, has adopted the Cubs as her "National League team" since she moved to Chicago 15 years ago to attend Loyola University.
"If the Cubs win the World Series, I think would cry. The Cubs have been my other favorite team since I moved here," Taylor said. "I try not to get emotional about sports but if the Cubs win, I'm going to cry."
Game 2 of the NLCS is Sunday night at Wrigley Field.
New additions to the playoff roster. #NLCS #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/t9u4hQExbz
— Evan F. Moore (@evanFmoore) October 15, 2016
Let's do this. Go Cubs!!! pic.twitter.com/q8kXDTjwVA
— Patty Wetli (@Pattydnachicago) October 15, 2016
Santo is suited up and ready to take on the Dodgers. Go Cubs!! #NLCS pic.twitter.com/xZTAsQovnL
— Patty Wetli (@Pattydnachicago) October 15, 2016
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