2016 Chicago Cubs season

November 2015

December

February 2016

April

The Cubs won their first three games and eight of their first nine to begin the season 8–1, their best start since 1969.^[17]

• April 4 – Dexter Fowler had three hits and Miguel Montero homered and drove in three runs as the Cubs clobbered the Angels 9–0 on Opening Day in Anaheim. Jake Arrieta pitched seven shutout innings allowing only 2 hits for the win.
• April 6 – Dexter Fowler, Matt Szczur, and Anthony Rizzo all homered as the Cubs again handled the Angels, winning 6–1. Jon Lester pitched seven innings while allowing only one run in the Cub win.
• April 7 – As the Cubs next traveled to Arizona to face the Diamondbacks, Kyle Schwarber and Dexter Fowler collided in the outfield which resulted in a torn his ACL and LCL in Schwarber's left knee that would cause him to miss the remainder of the regular season.^[18] In the game, the Cubs fell behind early, but came from behind as Anthony Rizzo drove in six runs and Fowler drove in two runs as the Cubs won 14–6, their third straight win to open the season. John Lackey struggled in his first start as a Cub, giving up six runs in six innings, but the Cub bullpen shut out the D-backs for the remainder of the game to secure the win.
• April 8 – In the second game of the series in Arizona, the Cubs took an early lead on a bases loaded walk by Jason Heyward and groundout by Ben Zobrist. Jason Hammell pitched well, allowing only one run in six innings, but four Cub relievers allowed two runs including the walk-off single by Yasmany Tomas as the Cubs fell for the first time on the season 3–2.
• April 9 – In game three of the series, the Cubs jumped up on the D-backs early, scoring three runs in the first inning. Kyle Hendricks allowed two runs in 6.2 innings of work and Hector Rondon earned his first save of the season as the Cubs won 4–2.
• April 10 – In the final game of the series, Jake Arrieta and Jorge Soler each homered and drove in two runs. On the mound, Arrieta scatter eight hits in seven innings of work while giving up three runs as the Cubs defeated the D-backs 7–3.
• April 11 – The Cubs opened the season at Wrigley Field against the Cincinnati Reds, but fell behind 3–0 early. Jon Lester only lasted six innings while giving up the three runs and left trailing 3–0. However, Jason Heyward drove in two runs in the seventh to narrow the lead to 3–2 and Addison Russell hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the eight to give the Cubs the 5–3 win.
• April 13 – After an off day, the Cubs jumped out to an early 5–1 lead in the first inning against the Red and pushed the lead to 9–1 by the fourth inning. John Lackey allowed two runs in 6.2 innings in the 9–2 blowout.
• April 14 – Looking to sweep the Reds, the Cubs led throughout, breaking open a 3–0 lead in the eighth inning by scoring five runs to push the lead to 8–0. The Reds managed a run in the ninth, but the Cubs moved their record to 8–1 on the season in the 8–1 win.
• April 15 – The Colorado Rockies next visited Wrigley for a three-game series. Kyle Hendricks allowed four runs in six innings and the Cub bullpen allowed two more as the Cubs fell 6–1. The Cubs managed only four hits in the game while committing four errors.
• April 16 – The Cubs bounced back the next day, scoring six runs on homers by Anthony Rizzo, Jorge Soler, and Dexter Folwer. Jake Arrieta pitched eight scoreless innings before Travis Wood allowed two runs to the Rockies in the ninth as the Cubs won 6–
• April 17 – The Cubs were shutout by future Cub pitcher Tyler Chatwood as the Rockies beat the Cubs 2–0. Jon Lester allowed one run in 7.1 innings, but the Cub offense managed only three hits. The loss marked the first series loss on the season for the Cubs.
• April 18 – The Cubs next traveled to St. Louis to face the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. John Lackey pitched seven innings while striking out 11 and driving in a run. The Cub bullpen blanked the Cardinals as Dexter Fowler homered in the 5–0 win.
• April 19 – Jason Hammel allowed only one run in six innings and drove in the only Cub runs of the game. St. Louis could manage nothing else and the Cubs won 2–1, moving to 11–3 on the season.
• April 22 – Kyle Hendricks gave up four runs and could not make it out of the sixth innings as the Cardinals beat the Cubs 5–3. Anthony Rizzo homered and drove in two in the loss.
• April 21 – The Cubs hit five homers to beat the Reds 16–0 in Cincinnati. Jake Arrieta threw a no-hitter for the second time in 11 regular season starts while Kris Bryant drove in six runs in the blowout. Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist each homered and drove in three as well as the Cubs pounded out 18 hits.^[19]
• April 22 – Jon Lester allowed five hits, but only one run in seven innings and Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Javier Baez each homered in the 8–1 blowout. The win moved the Cubs to 13–4 on the season.
• April 23 – The Reds were able to avert the sweep, scoring seven runs in the sixth inning off John Lackey and Trevor Cahill as part of a 13-run output to beat the Cubs 13–5. Addison Russell homered in the loss for the Cubs.
• April 24 – After losing the day before, the Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds 9–0 as Anthony Rizzo homered twice and drove in four runs. Jason Heyward drove in three while Tommy La Stella hit his first homer of the season. . As a result, the Cubs remained the only team in baseball not to have lost back-to-back games.^[20] Jason Hammel pitched six scoreless innings to earn his third win on the season.
• April 26 – Returning home to Wrigley to face the Milwaukee Brewers, Addison Russell drove in two runs while Dexter Fowler and Anthony Rizzo each drove in a run to beat the Brewers 4–3. The win moved the Cubs to 15–5 on the season.
• April 28 – After a rainout the day before, the Cubs cruised to an easy 7–2 win over the Brewers as Ben Zobrist drove in two runs and Jake Arrieta only allowed one run.
• April 29 – The Cubs welcomed the Atlanta Braves to Wrigley but could manage only one run through seven innings. In the eighth, tied at one, Anthony Rizzo singled to take the lead and Matt Szczur hit a grand slam to give the Cubs the 6–1 win.

The Cubs finished the month of April with an MLB-best record of 17–5. Jake Arrieta was selected National League Player of the Month.^[21]

May

• May 1 – For a second straight game, the Cubs trailed for the majority of the game before the Cubs drew within one in the eighth. In the ninth, trailing 3–2, Ben Zobrist led off the inning with a walk and reached second on an errant pickoff throw by Braves closer, Arodys Vizcaino. Addison Russell then drove in Zobrist with a single to tie the game at three. However, in the 10th, Hector Rondon gave up a run and the Cubs fell 4–3.
• May 2 – The Cubs next traveled to Pittsburgh to face the Pirates. Prior to the game, the Cubs announced that Jason Heyward had a sore wrist and would miss a few days.^[22] Additionally, Matt Szczur experienced tightness in his hamstring and underwent an MRI.^[23] In the game, Anthony Rizzo doubled twice and drove in four runs while Dexter Fowler drove in three as the Cubs blew out the Pirates 7–2.
• May 3 – For the third regular season month in a row (August, September, April), Jake Arrieta was named Pitcher of the Month for the National League, tying a major league record.^[24] For a second consecutive game, Anthony Rizzo doubled twice and the Cubs blew out the Pirates, this time 7–1.
• May 4 – The Cubs completed the sweep of the Pirates as Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist each homered in the 6–2 win. Jon Lester scattered eight hits in 5.2 innings to notch his third victory on the season.
• May 5 – The Cubs returned home to face the Washington Nationals in a four-game series. Ben Zobrist homered again for the Cubs and drove in four runs in the game. Kyle Hendricks and the Cub bullpen shutout the Nationals until the ninth as the Cubs won 5–2.
• May 6 – In game two of the home series against the Nationals, John Lackey pitched seven innings and gave up only two runs. Ben Zobrist homered in his third straight game, homering twice to mark four home runs in three games. Tommy La Stella and Anthony Rizzo also homered for the Cubs who held on to win 8–6.
• May 7 – Kris Bryant hit his fifth home run of the season and Addison Russell drove in three as the Cubs beat the Nationals yet again, this time 8–5. Seven Cub pitchers appeared in the game to get the win.
• May 8 – The Cubs completed the four-game sweep of the Nationals, winning 4–3 in 13 innings. After going to extra innings tied at three, Javier Baez homered in the bottom of the 13th to give the Cubs the win. The win marked the best 30-game start for the Cubs since 1907, going 24–6 (went 22–4 in 1907). The Cubs also became the first team since the 1984 Detroit Tigers to win at least 24 of their first 30 games.^[25]
• May 10 – After a day off, the Cubs welcomed the San Diego Padres to Wrigley looking for their eighth straight win. The Cubs took an early 5–0 and held on to win 8–7. Addison Russell drove in three runs and Kris Bryant and Ben Zobrist each drove in two runs in the eighth straight win.
• May 11 – Looking to win their ninth straight game, the Cubs took a 4–2 lead to the seventh before the Cub bullpen fell apart. The Padres scored four in the seventh and one in the eight to win the game 7–4. The loss marked the end of the Cubs eight-game winning streak.
• May 12 – The Cubs suffered their first back-to-back losses of the season, the last team to do so, losing to the Padres 1–0. John Lackey pitched eight innings while allowing only one run, but the Cub offense could manage nothing in the loss.
• May 13 – Welcoming the Pirates back to Chicago, the Cubs scored three runs in the fifth and broke the game open in the fifth as Kris Bryant homered and David Ross hit a three-run homer to extend the lead to 8–0. The Cubs went on to win 9–2, moving to 26–8 on the season.
• May 14 – The Cubs blew out the Pirates for the second consecutive game behind homers by Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell. Jake Arrieta pitched eight solid innings as the Cubs won 8–2.
• May 15 – The Cubs trailed the Pirates 2–0 going into the bottom of the ninth before Anthony Rizzo drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to cut the lead to 2–1. However, Ben Zobrist could not get the game-tying hit with Jason Heyward at second and the Cubs fell 2–1.
• May 17 – After a day off, the Cubs traveled to Milwaukee to face the Brewers. Kyle Hendricks gave up four runs in 5.1 innings of work and the Cubs could manage only two solo home runs in the ninth by Jason Heyward and Kris Bryant as the Cubs fell 4–2.
• May 18 – In game two of the series, David Ross threw out four Brewer base runners and the Cubs tied the game at one in the ninth on an Addison Russell groundout.^[26] In the 13th, pitcher Travis Wood walked with the bases loaded to force in the winning run as the Cubs won 2–1.
• May 19 – Jason Hammell gave up four runs in six innings of work and the Cubs managed only three runs despite a Dexter Fowler leadoff home run. As a result, the Cubs fell to the Brewers 5–3.
• May 20 – Traveling to San Francisco to face the Giants, the Cubs jumped out early, scoring five runs in the second RBI singles by Jake Arrieta and Tommy La Stella and a three-run home run by Kris Bryant. That would be all Arrieta would need as he allowed only one run in seven innings of work as the Cubs won 8–1. Jason Heyward suffered an injury colliding with the right-center field wall and the team announced he suffered a contusion and would miss a few games.^[27]
• May 21 – Jon Lester only lasted 2.2 innings as he gave up five runs while walking three and allowing six hits. The Cubs scored once in the eighth and once in the ninth, but it was not enough as the Giants won 5–3.
• May 22 – The Cubs were shutout 1–0 by Madison Bumgarner and the Giant bullpen on Sunday Night Baseball.
• May 23 – Traveling to St. Louis to face the Cardinals, the cubs took a 3–1 lead into the seventh, but John Lackey could not hold the lead, allowing the Cardinals to tie the game. Adam Warren gave up a walkoff solo home run in the bottom of the ninth to Randal Grichuk as the Cubs fell 4–3.
• May 24 – Jason Heyward returned to the lineup after missing four games and the Cubs scored six runs in the first inning Jorge Soler drove in three runs in the game. The Cubs added four in the ninth, blowing out the Cardinals 12–3.^[28]
• May 25 – The Cubs again scored six runs in an inning, this time in the second to take a 6–2 lead. Kris Bryant homered and drove in three as the Cubs held on to beat the Cardinals 9–8 and to move to 31–14 on the season.
• May 27 – Returning to Wrigley to face the Phillies following an off day, Joge Soler, David Ross, and Kris Bryant homered as the Cubs won 6–2. Jon Lester allowed two runs in 6.1 innings to get the win.
• May 28 – The Cubs took an early lead against the Phillies as Dexter Fowler led off the bottom of the first with a home run. Kyle Hendricks pitched nine stellar innings, allowing only one run on five hits as the Cubs won 4–1.
• May 29 – The Cubs again jumped early on the Phillies, scoring in four of the first five innings and taking a 7–0 lead. Ben Zobrist drove in three and John Lackey allowed only one run in seven innings of work as the Cubs won 7–2, sweeping the Phillies.
• May 30 – With the Los Angeles Dodgers in town, Jason Hammel left a game against the after two innings with a leg cramp. The Cub bullpen combined for seven perfect innings of relief as the Cubs shut out the Dodgers 2–0. Anthony Rizzo and Jason Heyward drove in the runs for the Cubs in the win which moved the Cubs' record to 35–14 on the season.^[29]
• May 31 – The Dodgers returned the favor in game two of the series, shutting out the Cubs. In a pitching duel until the eighth, the Cub bullpen could not build on Jake Arrieta's seven shutout innings, allowing five runs as the Cubs fell 5–0.

June

• The Cubs began June with the best run differential in the majors, plus 129, and a record of 35–15, also the best.^[30] Cubs starting pitchers began the month with a combined earned run average of 2.38.^[31]
• June 1 – Major League Baseball announced results of early All Star Game voting. The Cubs had five players in starting positions: Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Ben Zobrist, Anthony Rizzo, and Dexter Fowler.^[32]
• June 1 – Jon Lester pitched a complete game four-hitter as the Cubs beat the Dodgers 2–1.^[33]
• June 8 – Major League Baseball released an update of All Star Game voting. The Cubs received the four highest number of votes among NL teams: Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Dexter Fowler, and Ben Zobrist. Addison Russell is also leading at SS.^[34]
• June 11 – Jake Arrieta's 8–2 victory in Atlanta gave him a record of 7–0 in road starts and 10–1 overall.^[35]
• June 13 – Jon Lester was named National League Player of the Week.^[36]
• June 18 – Dexter Fowler left game after first inning with hamstring discomfort.
• June 19 – Willson Contreras hit a home run on the first pitch of his first major-league at-bat, becoming the 30th player in the modern-era to do so^[37] and the eighth player in Cubs history to homer in his first at-bat.^[38]
• June 22 – Miguel Montero left game after a play at the plate with apparent right knee injury.^[39] The Cubs were swept by the Cardinals at Wrigley Field for the first time since 1988.^[40]
• June 27 – Kris Bryant became the first player in MLB history to hit three home runs and two doubles in one game, going 5–5 in the game with six RBI's. His 16 total bases set a franchise record and he became the youngest player in club history to hit three home runs in the same game.^[41]
• June 28 – A game at Cincinnati went into extra innings as a 2–2 tie. By the end of the 12th inning, both teams had used up all their position players. The Cubs used three pitchers to play left field. Travis Wood entered the game in left in the 14th with Spencer Patton beginning the inning at pitcher. He retired the first batter and was sent to left field and Wood replaced him on the mound. Following a groundout, the two players switched positions again. After the Cubs took the lead in the 15th inning, Pedro Strop replaced Patton and played left field with Wood returning to pitch. Wood finished the game with 1 1/3 innings pitched, allowing one hit and striking out three. It was the first time since 1961 that three pitchers moved from the mound to outfield and back in the same game.^[42] The last time two pitchers did so was in 1986, when the visiting Mets switched Jesse Orosco and Roger McDowell against Cincinnati.^[43][44] In the 15th inning, Javier Baez hit a grand slam, his first career grand slam, which is the latest grand slam, by inning, in Cubs history, to win the game.^[42]
• June 30 – Jon Lester was named National League Pitcher of the Month for June.

July

• The Cubs began July with the best record in baseball, 51–27, the best run differential, plus 169, and had a run of 10 consecutive months of at least .500 play. The pitching staff had the lowest ERA, the fewest hits allowed, runs allowed, earned runs allowed, and the lowest batting average by opponents in MLB. The Cubs offense when compared to all teams was second in on base percentage, second in base runners who eventually score, second in the number of RBI's, and first in walks.^[45] Kris Bryant was tied with Todd Frazier of the Chicago White Sox and Mark Trumbo of the Baltimore Orioles for the Major League Home Run lead with 23 and was 4th with 61 RBI's. Anthony Rizzo had 60.
• The July 12th All-Star game in San Diego began with the entire Cubs infield (Bryant, Rizzo, Russell, and Zobrist) as starters. Rizzo led all National League players in votes.^[46] Zobrist beat out Daniel Murphy by 88 votes.^[47] Fowler, though injured, was the top vote getter for National League outfielders. Lester and Arrieta were also named to the team.
• July 3 – The Cubs were swept by the New York Mets.^[48] Cubs began July 0–3 and lost10 of their last 14 games.
• July 10 – The Cubs entered the All-Star break at 53–35 having lost 15 out of their last 21 games. However, the Cubs' lead of seven games over St. Louis in the division was the largest lead in baseball.^[49]
• July 20 – The Mets and Cubs wear throwback uniforms in the series finale ahead of the weekend's Hall of Fame inductions. Six other teams were also wearing vintage uniforms.^[50]
• July 20 – Rizzo homers twice in Cubs 6–2 win over the Mets giving him 24 on the season, one behind the National League lead of 25 by teammate Bryant. Kyle Hendricks' ERA asws 2.27 which was third best in MLB behind Clayton Kershaw and Madison Bumgarner.^[51]
• July 22 – Dexter Fowler returned from the disabled list with a lead-off home run and drovein three runs as the Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5–2.^[52]
• July 27 – Addison Russell hit his first career grand slam as part of a five-run eighth inning as the Cubs defeated the Chicago White Sox 8–1.^[53] Javier Baez and Kris Bryant also homer as the Cubs snap a two-game losing streak.^[53] Bryant's homer, his 26th, ties his total home runs from last season. Newly acquired Aroldis Chapman pitches a perfect ninth inning.
• July 31 – The Cubs beat the Seattle Mariners 7–6 in 12 innings.^[54] In a game started by Brian Matusz, who departed after giving up six runs in three innings, the Cubs bullpen pitches nine innings of scoreless relief. Trailing 6–3 in the bottom of the ninth, the Cubs rallied to tie the game and force extra innings. Travis Wood again played left field after pitching in the sixth inning. He made a catch against the wall in the seventh and returned to pitch in the eighth inning.^[55] Having exhausted all position players and bullpen pitchers, the Cubs were forced to have Jon Lester pinch hit in the bottom of the 12th after Jason Heyward doubled and moved to third on a Willson Contreras sacrifice fly. With two strikes, Lester executed a safety squeeze bunt and Heyward scored to win the game.^[56]
• The Cubs had a record of 12–14 for the month marking the first time in manager Joe Maddon's tenure that the Cubs had a record under .500 in a single month.

August

• The Cubs began August with the best MLB record of 63–41. The pitching staff once again had the lowest ERA, the fewest hits allowed, fewest runs allowed, fewest earned runs allowed, the lowest batting average by opponents in MLB, and were among the leaders in fewest home runs allowed and in striking out opponent batters. The Cubs offense was among the leaders in on-base percentage, base runners who eventually score, RBI's, and walks. Bryant and Rizzo were among the major league leaders in home runs and RBI's.
• August 1 – Kyle Hendricks threw a complete game shutout and lowered his ERA to 2.22, third best in the National League.^[57] His ERA at Wrigley Field this season was 1.19.^[57]
• August 3 – Cubs completed a sweep of the Miami Marlins with three-run ninth inning for the win.^[58]
• August 7 – Cubs beat Oakland A's 3–1 to sweep series and extended their winning streak to seven games.^[59] The win also put the Cubs at a season-high 28 games over .500.^[59]
• August 8 – Kyle Hendricks was named National League Player of the Week for the first week of August.^[60]
• August 9 – Cubs defeated the Angels 5–1, their eighth straight win, to become the first team to win 70 games.^[61] Bryant homered and drove in his 70th run becoming the first Cubs player ever to drive in 70 runs in each of his first two seasons.^[61]
• August 11 – Cubs defeated Cardinals 4–3 in 11 innings, their 10th straight win, on a walk-off walk.^[62] The win moved the Cubs to a season-high 13 game lead over the Cardinals in the NL Central.
• August 12 – Cubs defeated Cardinals 13–2, hitting five home runs and winning their 11th straight game.^[63] The lead in the NL Central increased to 14 games. The Cubs magic number to win the division stood at 34.^[64]
• August 18 – Cubs defeated the Brewers 9–6, completing a four-game sweep and moved to a season-high 34 games over .500. Kris Bryant went 5–5 with two home runs and five RBIs in the win.
• August 22 – Kyle Hendricks led the Majors in ERA for pitchers with over 140 innings at 2.16. Jake Arrieta was fourth at 2.75 and Jon Lester was fifth at 2.81.^[65] Kris Bryant was the first player to score 100 runs this season.
• August 23 – With the Cubs 5–3 victory over the San Diego Padres, the Cubs moved to a season-high 35 games over .500 at 80–45.^[66] Their magic number to win the division moved to 25. Jake Arrieta won his league-leading 16th game of the season and lowered his ERA to 2.62. Addison Russell hit his fifth home run in the last five games.^[67] The Cubs hit multiple home runs in each of their last seven games, the longest streak since the Cubs hit multiple home runs in an eight-game stretch from June 25 through July 2, 1961.^[68]
• August 26 – The Cubs defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6–3 to move to a season-high 37 games over .500 and moved to season-high 14-game lead in the division.
• August 29 – Following back-to-back road losses to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Cubs returned home to face the third-place Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cubs jumped out to a 3–0 lead early, but Jake Arrieta gave up the lead and trailed 6–3 in the eighth.^[69] Willson Contreras hit a two-run homer in the eighth and Jorge Soler tied it with a homer in the ninth to send the game into extra innings. The Cubs won it in the 13th inning after giving up the go-ahead run in the top of 13th. They scored twice in the bottom of the 13th with a game-winning single by Miguel Montero. The Cubs magic number to win the division moved to 19 and their magic number to secure home-field advantage in the National League playoffs moved to 25.
• August 30 – Addison Russell's 84 RBIs were the most in one season by a Cubs shortstop since Ernie Banks in 1960.^[70]
• August 31 – Cubs completed a three-game sweep of Pittsburgh Pirates, winning 6–5. The Cubs finished the month with 22 wins, the most wins in any month for the Cubs since 1945 when they went 22–10 in September of that year.^[71] The Cubs lead in the division moved to 15 games, a season high, and their largest first-place lead since the end of the 1907 season.^[72] The Cubs magic number moved to 16 as they moved to a season-high 38 games over .500.

September

• The Cubs record for the month of August was 22–6 and their overall record of 85–47 was the best in baseball. Their home record of 48–19 was also the best in baseball. The pitching staff once again led the league with the lowest earned run average of 3.13, fewest hits allowed at 926, fewest runs allowed at 450, fewest earned runs allowed at 415, the lowest batting average by opponents at .213, and were among the leaders in fewest home runs allowed and in striking out opponent batters. The Cubs offense was among the leaders in on-base percentage, base runners who eventually score, runs batted in, and drawing walks. Kyle Hendricks entered September with an earned run average of 2.09 in 159 innings pitched which led all major league starting pitchers. Kris Bryant hit eight home runs and drove in 18 runs with a batting average of .456 and an on base percentage of .549 in the last 15 games. He had a post All-Star break batting average of .346.
• September 2 – Cubs beat Giants 2–1 to move to 40 games over .500. Jon Lester earned his 15th win of the season with a complete game three-hitter. The Cubs magic number was reduced to 14.
• September 3 – Kyle Hendricks was named National League Pitcher of the Month for August while Kris Bryant was named National League Player of the Month.^[73]
• September 5 – Cubs beat the Brewers 7–2 to move to season-high 41 games over .500.^[74] Hendricks lowered his baseball-leading ERA to 2.07.^[74] The Cubs magic number was reduced to 10.
• September 9 – Cubs beat the Astros 2–0 to win their 90th game of the season, the first team to win 90 games this season. The last time the Cubs were the first team to 90 wins was 1945 - the last time the Cubs appeared in the World Series.^[75] Having finished the 2015 season with 97 wins, it was also the first time since 1928, 1929, and 1930 that the Cubs reached 90 wins in consecutive years.^[75]
• September 11 – Cubs beat the Astros 9–5 to win series and reduced magic number to five.^[76]
• September 12 – Cubs beat the Cardinals 4–1 while Hendricks lost a no-hitter bid in the ninth after Jeremy Hazelbaker homered.^[77] Hendricks lowered his league-leading ERA to 2.03.^[77] The performance by Hendricks marked the 20th straight outing where he gave up three runs or less.^[77] The Cubs magic number was reduced to three.
• September 14 – Cubs defeated the Cardinals 7–0 behind Jon Lester's eight innings of shutout ball. The win clinched a playoff berth for the Cubs as they were assured of at least a wild card berth.^[78] The magic number to clinch the division was reduced to one.
• September 15 – Cubs lost to the Brewers 5–4,^[79] but clinched the National League Central Division crown when the Cardinals lost to the Giants later that evening.^[80] This marked the first time since 2008 that the Cubs had won the division.^[80] The Cubs were the first team to clinch their division and did so earlier than any other team since the 2008 Angels.^[81]
• September 19 – With homers by Willson Contreras, Addison Russell, and Jason Heyward, the Cubs beat the Reds 5–2 and reduced magic number to guarantee home-field advantage in the playoffs to five.^[82]
• September 21 – Cubs beat the Reds 9–2 to sweep series and reduce magic number for home-field advantage to two.^[83]
• September 23 – Cubs beat the Cardinals 5–0 for their 98th win of the season, surpassing last year's total and marking the most wins for the Cubs since 1945.^[84] The win was also their 56th home victory, tying a team record. The magic number for home-field advantage was reduced to one. Following the Nationals' loss later that night, the Cubs clinched home-field advantage in the NL playoffs.^[85]
• September 25 – Cubs beat the Cardinals 3–1 to win their 57th and final regular season game at Wrigley Field of the season, breaking the team record from 1933 and 1935.^[86] The win also marked the team's 99th with of the season, the most wins by a Cubs' team since 1935.^[87] David Ross, in his last regular season home game prior to his retirement, was saluted by the crowd on several occasions and hit a solo home run, his tenth of the season. Ross became the ninth Cubs player with at least ten home runs on the season. Jon Lester recorded his 19th win of the season, the first NL pitcher to do so, while moving into second place in ERA with a 2.28 ERA (trailing only teammate Kyle Hendricks).
• September 26 – Cubs beat the Pirates 12–2 to win their 100th game of the season, the first time they had won at least 100 games since 1935.^[88] Kyle Hendricks lowered his league-leading ERA to 1.99.^[89] Kris Bryant hit his career-high 39th home run of the season and drove in 101 RBIs, also a career high.^[89]
• September 27 – Cubs beat the Pirates 6–4 to win their 101st game of the season, the most wins by a Cubs team since 1910.^[90]
• September 29 – Cubs and Pirates tie 1–1 after 5 innings due to rain. It's the first tie in MLB since 2005, and the first tie for the Cubs since 1993. While the tie is not reflected in the clubs' final records, the statistics from the game are official.^[91]

October

Outside Wrigley Field, minutes before NLCS Game 6

• With only two games left in the regular season, the Cubs finished September with a record of 102–57, the best record in baseball. The pitching staff approached the playoffs with three Cy Young Award candidates in Arrieta, Lester, and Hendricks. The entire staff led the league with the fewest hits, runs, and earned runs allowed. They also had the lowest opponent batting average and the lowest WHIP.^[92]
• October 2 – In the final regular season game, the Cubs rallied in the ninth inning to beat the Reds 7–4.^[93] The win marked the 103rd of the season for the Cubs, the most for the franchise since 1910. Kyle Hendricks gave up four runs in five innings of work, marking the first time in his last 23 starts that he gave up more than three runs, but finished the season with a league-leading ERA of 2.13.^[93]
• At the conclusion of the regular season, the pitching staff had a major league low team ERA of 3.15, the fewest runs allowed at 556, the fewest earned runs allowed at 511, the lowest batting average by opponents at .212 and were among the leaders in fewest home runs allowed and in striking out opponent batters. The Cubs offense, when compared to all major league teams, was among the leaders in on-base percentage (.343), base runners who eventually score (808), RBI's and drawing walks (656). Their run differential was +252. The Cubs had two serious MVP candidates in Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo and three possible Gold Glove winners.
• October 25 - Dexter Fowler, Addison Russell, Jason Heyward, and Carl Edwards Jr. became the first African-Americans on a Cubs roster in a World Series. Additionally, Fowler was the first African-American to appear and to bat for the Cubs in a World Series game. Both Fowler and Russell were the first African-Americans to start for the Cubs in a World Series.^{[94][95][96][lower-alpha 1]}

April

May

June

July

August

September

Game 1

The Cubs began postseason play with starter Jon Lester on the mound facing Johnny Cueto for the Wild Card Game-winning Giants. In the pitching duel, Lester scattered five hits in eight innings of work, shutting out the Giants.^[147] Cueto also blanked the Cubs allowing only two hits prior to the eighth inning. In the eighth, Javier Báez hit a solo home run into the left field basket to put the Cubs up 1–0. Aroldis Chapman appeared for the save in the ninth and gave up a double to Buster Posey, but shut the Giants down as the Cubs took a 1–0 series lead.

Game 2

In game two of the series, the Cubs scored a run in the first inning on a Ben Zobrist single off former Cub Jeff Samardzija.^[148] Starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks had the key hit in the second inning, driving in two runs on a single up the middle. Kris Bryant drove in the Cubs' fourth run of the game two batters later and the Cubs led 4–0, forcing Samardzija from the game. In the top of the third, the Giants answered, scoring two runs on back-to-back doubles by Joe Panik and pinch-hitter Gregor Blanco and a sacrifice fly by Brandon Belt. Hendricks was hit in the arm by an Ángel Pagán line drive, forcing him to leave the game. Reliever Travis Wood ended the Giants' rally and, in the bottom half of the inning, hit a solo home run to put the Cubs up 5–2. The home run was the first by a relief pitcher in a postseason game since 1924.^[148] The Cub bullpen of Carl Edwards Jr., Mike Montgomery, and Héctor Rondón shut down the Giants for the remainder of the game with Aroldis Chapman getting the save.

Game 3

The Cubs looked to finish the series sweep with Jake Arrieta facing the Giants' Madison Bumgarner in game three. The Giants looked to extend their streak to 10–0 in their last 10 elimination games.^[149] Arrieta hit a three-run homer in the top of the second, putting the Cubs up 3–0. The Cubs threatened to chase Bumgarner from the game in the third inning putting runners on first and second with only one out following singles by Ben Zobrist and Addison Russell. However, the Cubs failed to score and the Giants scored a run in the third following a Denard Span double and added a second run in the fifth following Span's triple.^[150] In the eighth inning, Travis Wood gave up a single and Héctor Rondón walked a batter. Closer Aroldis Chapman came in early to get a six-out save, but Chapman gave up a two-run triple to Conor Gillaspie to give the Giants' their first lead of the series. Chapman was lifted shortly thereafter, getting only one out. The Giants added another run on a single by Brandon Crawford. In the ninth, trailing 5–3, Dexter Fowler led off with a walk and Kris Bryant hit a two-run home run off Giants' closer Sergio Romo to tie the game.^[151] Mike Montgomery took over in the ninth for the Cubs and held the Giants scoreless for four innings. In the 13th inning, the Giants' Brandon Crawford doubled to lead off the inning and Joe Panik doubled him home to send the series to a game four.

Game 4

The Giants looked to continue their streak of wins in elimination games to 11 as the Cubs sent John Lackey to the mound against the Giants' Matt Moore. Lackey started off slow, allowing a leadoff double to Denard Span and a sacrifice fly by Buster Posey to give the Giants an early 1–0 lead. David Ross answered for the Cubs in the third with a solo home run to tie the game. The home run made Ross the oldest catcher ever to homer in a postseason game.^[152] However, Lackey got in trouble again in the fourth, giving up a run-scoring to single to Moore with the bases loaded and a force-out grounder by Span to put the Giants up 3–1.^[153] The Cubs bounced back with a run in the top of the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Ross.^[152] Justin Grimm relieved Lackey in the bottom of the fifth and surrendered a single to Posey and double that just missed being a home run by Brandon Crawford. Travis Wood entered and gave up a single to Conor Gillaspie and sacrifice fly to Joe Panik as the Giants surged to a 5–2 lead. Moore cruised through the next three innings, retiring the Cubs in order in the eighth before being lifted for the Giants' bullpen to start the ninth as it appeared a Game 5 was inevitable. However, the Giants ended up using five pitchers in the inning as Kris Bryant singled, Anthony Rizzo walked, and Ben Zobrist doubled to score Bryant and tighten the game at 5–3. Cubs manager Joe Maddon decided to pinch hit for Addison Russell and his 95 RBIs with Chris Coghlan. Giants manager Bruce Bochy countered with lefty reliever Will Smith and Maddon used rookie catcher Willson Contreras instead. Contreras promptly singled up the middle to tie the game at five.^[154] Jason Heyward's attempted sacrifice bunt was too hard and Contreras was forced out at second, but gold-glove winner Crawford's throw to first ended up in the dugout allowing Heyward to reach second with one out. Javier Báez then singled up the middle to complete the comeback and give the Cubs the 6–5 lead. Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth as the Cubs eliminated the Giants and moved on to the NLCS. The Cubs' comeback marked the biggest comeback in postseason-clinching history.^[154]

Composite line score

2016 NLDS (3–1): Chicago Cubs defeated San Francisco Giants.

Division Series Roster

Game 1

The NLCS opened at Wrigley Field with the Cubs' Jon Lester facing Kenta Maeda for the Dodgers. The Cubs moved on top early, scoring in the first on a lead-off single by Dexter Fowler and a Kris Bryant double to score him.^[155] The Cubs added to their lead in the second when Jason Heyward tripled to start the inning and Javier Báez doubled him home, putting the lead at 2–0. Báez advanced to third on a wild pitch by Maeda and stole home on a late throw by Dodgers catcher Carlos Ruiz.^[156] Lester cruised until the fifth inning when he allowed a pinch-hit home run by Andre Ethier, batting for Maeda, pulling the Dodgers within two at 3–1. Lester was lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the sixth with a runner on second and two out, but the Cubs could not cash in on the scoring opportunity. In the top of the eighth, the Dodgers loaded the bases off Cubs relievers Mike Montgomery and Pedro Strop, bringing Aroldis Chapman into the game with no outs. Chapman struck out the first two batters he faced and appeared to be on the verge of escaping the inning, but Adrian Gonzalez singled up the middle scoring two runs and tying the game at three. The Dodgers brought in reliever Joe Blanton in the bottom of the eighth to try to keep the game tied. However, Ben Zobrist doubled to lead off the inning. Blanton struck out Addison Russell and the Dodgers chose to walk the left hand-hitting Heyward to face Báez. Báez could not come through, flying out softly to right field. Left hander Chris Coghlan pinch hit for David Ross and was also intentionally walked to load the bases. Batting for the pitcher, Miguel Montero, also a left hander, forced the Dodgers to choose to bring in a lefty reliever to face him and possibly see Willson Contreras instead or face Montero. The Dodgers chose to face Montero and on an 0–2 pitch, Montero hit a grand slam, putting the Cubs up 7–3. Fowler followed with a solo home run and Héctor Rondón gave up a run in the ninth as the Cubs won 8–4 and took the series lead 1–0.

Game 2

Game 2 of the series featured the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw off of his Division Series heroics and the Cubs' Kyle Hendricks. Kershaw was dominant from the start, pitching a perfect four innings before giving up a single to Javier Báez. However, the Cubs could get no further. Hendricks also pitched well, allowing a solo home run to Adrian Gonzalez in the top of the second inning. That would be all Kershaw needed as he pitched seven scoreless innings, scattering two hits. Dodgers' closer Kenley Jansen came in the eighth to attempt a six out save. Jansen shut down the Cubs and the Dodgers tied the series at one game apiece heading back to Los Angeles. Cubs batters Addison Russell and Anthony Rizzo continued their struggles, each going 0–3 in the game. Combined, Ben Zobrist, Rizzo, and Russell were 6–60 in the playoffs.^[157] The game also marked the Cubs first 1–0 loss in the postseason since Babe Ruth and the Boston Red Sox blanked them in the 1918 World Series opener at Comiskey Park (borrowed by the Cubs because of its larger seating capacity).^[158]

Game 3

As the series shifted to Los Angeles, the Cubs looked to break out of their hitting slump and sent Jake Arrieta to the mound, the Dodgers countered with Rich Hill. However, the Cubs' hitting problems continued as Hill shut them down, allowing only two hits in six innings of work. The Dodgers scored first in the third with a run-scoring single by Corey Seager. The Dodger offense also homered twice off of Arrieta: a two-run homer by Yasmani Grandal in the fourth and a solo homer by Justin Turner in the sixth. The Dodger bullpen continued where Hill left off and the Dodger offense added two more runs in the bottom of the eighth to take a 6–0 lead. Kenley Jansen pitched the final four outs give the Dodgers a two games to one lead in the series. The back-to-back shutouts were the Dodgers first ever consecutive shutouts in postseason history.^[159] The back-to-back shutouts also marked the first time the Cubs had been shutout in back-to-back games since May 27–28, 2014.^[160] The Cubs hitting slump continued as the 2-3-4-5 hitters went 3–27 in the two shutouts.^[159]

Game 4

As the Cubs entered Game 4, they looked to break their two-game scoring drought. Playoff veteran John Lackey took the mound for the Cubs as the Dodgers sent Julio Urías, the youngest pitcher to start a game in postseason history.^[161] The Cubs struggles continued as Urías held the Cubs without a hit through three innings. In the bottom of the second, the Dodgers had a scoring chance denied as Adrian Gonzalez was thrown out at the plate by Jason Heyward after an Andrew Toles single. In the fourth, the Cubs bats began to awaken. Ben Zobrist notched the first Cub hit of the game as he bunted to lead off. Javier Báez and Willson Contreras followed with singles to score Zobrist. The run marked the first scored by the Cubs in 21 innings.^[162] A Heyward groundout pushed home another run and left Contreras at third for Addison Russell. On an 0–2 pitch, Russell broke out of his slump with a two-run homer to put the Cubs up 4–0. Urías was lifted one batter later. In the top of the fifth, the Cubs breakout continued with Anthony Rizzo hitting a home run on a full count and pushing the lead to 5–0. Back-to-back walks to lead off the bottom of the fourth forced Lackey from the game. Reliever Mike Montgomery gave up a single to load the bases before striking out Corey Seager. A single off of Montgomery's glove by Justin Turner brought in two runs and the Dodgers closed the lead to 5–2. Montgomery retired the next two batters to end the threat. In the top of the sixth, the Cubs blew the game open. Russell singled and reached second on a throwing error. Montgomery singled, moving Russell to third. Dexter Fowler singled to score Russell. Following a Kris Bryant walk, Rizzo notched his second hit of the game as he singled to score two runs and up the lead to 8–2. Following a single by Zobrist to load the bases, Báez hit a sacrifice fly to center fielder Joc Pedersen. Pedersen's throw to home got by the catcher as Bryant scored and Rizzo came home on the wild throw as well ballooning the lead to 10–2.^[163] The Cub bullpen shut down the Dodgers for the remainder of the game as the series was tied at two games apiece.

Game 5

With the series tied at two games apiece, the Cubs looked to Jon Lester to keep up his strong playoff performance. The Dodgers also went with their Game 1 starter, Kenta Maeda. The Cubs started the scoring in the first inning on a single by Dexter Fowler and an RBI double by Anthony Rizzo, but could muster nothing further in the first. The Cubs left runners on base in the first, second, fourth, and fifth innings, but could not get another run in. The Dodgers tied the game in the bottom of the fourth following a Howie Kendrick double and steal of third. Adrian Gonzalez hit the ball to Rizzo who could not field it cleanly and the run scored as a result. The Dodgers lifted Maeda from the game in the fourth and turned it over to the bullpen. In the sixth, Javier Báez continued his strong postseason play by singling to start the inning. Following a strikeout of Jason Heyward, Addison Russell homered to center field to break the deadlock and put the Cubs up 3–1.^[164] After stranding two more runners in the seventh, the Cubs offense broke the game open in the eighth. Russell reached on error and pinch hitter Willson Contreras singled to put runners at first and second. Pinch hitter Albert Almora, Jr. bunted the runners over and Dexter Fowler followed with an infield singled to score the Cubs' fourth run of the game. An infield single by Kris Bryant scored Contreras and a walk by Ben Zobrist loaded the bases for Báez. Báez, as he had done all postseason, came through with a bases-clearing double to put the Cubs up 8–1. The Dodgers added a run in the bottom of the eighth off of Pedro Strop on a double Carlos Ruiz. Cub closer Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth and allowed a run-scoring single by Josh Reddick and a sacrifice fly by Andrew Toles to make the score 8–4. Chapman induced Justin Turner to ground out to end the game. The win put the Cubs on the brink of the World Series with a three games to two lead as the series moved back to Wrigley Field. The Cubs took advantage of the Dodgers bullpen in the series, scoring 26 runs in 26.2 inning pitched by Maeda and the Dodger bullpen.^[165]

Game 6

As the series returned to Wrigley Field, the Cubs looked to earn a trip to the World Series for the first time since 1945. The Cubs sent ERA-leader Kyle Hendricks to the mound while the Dodgers countered with Clayton Kershaw. On the first pitch of the game, Andrew Toles singled for the Dodgers and the game appeared to be off to a good start for the Dodgers. However, Corey Seager swung at the next pitch and grounded to Javier Báez who tagged Toles and threw to first to complete the double play. In the bottom of the first, the Cubs jumped out quickly on Kershaw who had blanked them in Game 2. Dexter Fowler doubled and Kris Bryant singled him home to give the Cubs a 1–0 lead. Anthony Rizzo reached on an error by Toles and with runners at second and third, Ben Zobrist hit a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 2–0. In the top of the second, Josh Reddick reached on an error by Báez, but Hendricks picked him off of first to end the inning. The Cubs added another run in the bottom of the second when Addison Russell doubled to left and scored on Fowler's single. In the bottom of the fourth, Willson Contreras led off the inning by homering on a line drive to left field to extend the lead to 4–0. In the fifth, Rizzo continued his hot hitting by homering to right-center field and to put the Cubs up 5–0. Kershaw was lifted after that inning, but Hendricks continued his gem on the mound, retiring the side and facing the minimum batters through seven innings. In the eighth, after a flyout by Adrian Gonzalez, Reddick singled, only the second hit allowed by Hendricks. That ended the night for Hendricks as Cub manager Joe Maddon went to the bullpen and brought in closer Aroldis Chapman. Chapman induced Howie Kendrick into an inning-ending double play. In the top of the ninth, Chapman walked the second batter, but Yasiel Puig grounded into a game-ending double play as Wrigley Field erupted in celebration. The Cubs advanced to their first World Series since 1945 with the 5–0 win and the four games to two series win. In the game, the Cubs faced the minimum number of batters, 27, in a game.^[166] The only other time that had occurred in a postseason game was Don Larsen's 1956 perfect game for the Yankees.^[167] Jon Lester and Javier Báez were named co-MVPs of the NLCS.^[168][169]

Composite line score

2016 NLCS (4–2): Chicago Cubs defeated Los Angeles Dodgers.

Championship Series Roster

Game 1

To begin the historic World Series, the teams sent their number one starters to the mound in Cleveland: Corey Kluber for the Indians and Jon Lester for the Cubs. The Cubs altered their lineup a bit, batting Kyle Schwarber, making his first appearance in six months, as their DH.^[170] Things started well for Lester as he retired the first two batters he faced. However, Francisco Lindor singled and stole second with two outs. Lester then walked Mike Napoli and Carlos Santana. With the bases loaded, José Ramírez hit an infield single to drive in a run and Lester hit the next batter, Brandon Guyer, to give the Indians a 2–0 lead.^[171] Kluber started hot as well, striking out eight of the first nine batters he faced, a World Series record.^[172] In the bottom of the fourth, Roberto Pérez homered to left off of Lester increasing the lead. Kluber continued his excellent performance, striking out nine before giving up a double to Ben Zobrist in the top of the seventh which ended Kluber's night and brought Andrew Miller to the mound. Schwarber walked and Javier Baéz singled to load the bases. However, Miller induced a shallow fly ball by pinch hitter Willson Contreras and struck out Addison Russell and David Ross to end the Cub threat. With Justin Grimm pitching for the Cubs in the bottom of the eighth, the Indians put runners on first and second and Héctor Rondón gave up another home run to Pérez to put the game out of reach 6–0.^[173] The win gave the Indians a one-game lead in the series and extended Indians' manager Terry Francona's World Series winning streak to nine games.

Dexter Fowler, Addison Russell, Jason Heyward, and Carl Edwards Jr. became the first African-Americans on a Cubs roster in a World Series. Additionally, Fowler (batting as the lead-off hitter) was the first African-American to appear and to bat for the Cubs in a World Series game. Both Fowler and Russell were the first African-Americans to start for the Cubs in a World Series.^[94][95][96]

Game 2

Looking to tie the series at one game apiece, the Cubs sent Jake Arrieta to the mound against the Indians' Trevor Bauer. The Cubs also featured six players age 24 or younger in the starting lineup, a postseason record.^[174] The Cubs started things off early as Kris Bryant singled in the first inning and Anthony Rizzo doubled to score Bryant and give the Cubs an early 1–0 lead.^[175] Arrieta started well too, retiring the first two batters before walking back-to-back batters in the bottom of the first. However, Arrieta got a strikeout to end the inning. The Cubs struck again in the third following a two-out walk by Rizzo and a single by Ben Zobrist. A single by Kyle Schwarber scored Rizzo from second and pushed the Cub lead to 2–0. Bauer was forced from the game in the fourth and the Cubs struck again in the fifith. Rizzo walked again and Zobrist tripled to plate Rizzo.^[176] Another run-scoring single by Schwarber and a bases loaded walk by Addison Russell pushed the lead to 5–0.^[177] Arrieta continued to cruise, walking three batters but holding the Indians without a hit into the sixth inning.^[178] In the sixth, a double by Jason Kipnis ended the no-hitter and a wild pitch by Arrieta two batters later scored the first Indians run.^[179] Arrieta allowed another single and was lifted for reliever Mike Montgomery. Both teams threatened in the seventh but could not score and, following a single by Mike Napoli in the bottom of the eighth, Aroldis Chapman entered to finish the game for the Cubs. The win marked the Cubs first World Series win since 1945 as they evened up the series at one game apiece.^[180]

Game 3

The series shifted to Wrigley Field for the first World Series game at Wrigley since 1945 and the first World Series night game at Wrigley.^[181] Josh Tomlin went to the mound for Cleveland and Kyle Hendricks for Chicago. Both pitchers pitched well, but Hendricks was in and out of trouble frequently giving up six hits, and walking two in just 4 1/3 innings. Following a single by Tyler Naquin, a bunt by Tomlin, a walk to Carlos Santana, Hendricks hit Jason Kipnis with a pitch to load the bases in the fifth.^[182] Justin Grimm relieved Hendricks and got Francsico Lindor to hit into an inning-ending double play escaping with the score still 0–0. The Cubs chased Tomlin from the game in the bottom of the fifth, but Andrew Miller replaced him and retired pinch-hitter Miguel Montero.^[183] Leading off the seventh, Roberto Pérez singled to right off reliever Carl Edwards Jr. Pinch runner Michael Martinez replaced him at first. Naquin advanced Martinez to second with a bunt and Martinez moved to third on a wild pitch by Edwards. After Rajai Davis walked, pinch-hitter Coco Crisp hit a broken bat single to right to score Martinez. Mike Montgomery replaced Edwards and escaped the inning without any further damage. In the bottom of the seventh, the Cubs threatened to tie it with a two-out triple by Jorge Soler, but Javier Báez grounded out to end the inning. In the ninth, the Cubs again threatened to tie it, putting runners on second and third following singles by Anthony Rizzo and Jason Heyward. However, with two outs, Báez struck out swinging to end the game.^[184] The win gave the Indians a 2–1 lead in the series. Cody Allen earned his sixth save of the postseason.

Game 4

With the series lead, the Indians sent Corey Kluber to the mound on short rest against John Lackey to try to extend the series lead to three games to one. The Cubs opened the scoring in the first inning with a double by lead-off man Dexter Fowler and a run-scoring single by Anthony Rizzo.^[185] However, the Indians quickly answered in the top of the second as Carlos Santanta homered to tie it. Following an error by Kris Bryant and an intentional walk of Tyler Naquin, Kluber singled home the go-ahead run giving the Indians the 2–1 lead. The Indians added another run in the third when Francisco Lindor singled home Jason Kipnis to increase the lead to 3–1. Kluber continued to shut down the Cubs as he did in Game 1. Lackey was lifted after five innings, but reliever Mike Montgomery gave up another run in the sixth as the Indians lead moved to 4–1.^[186] Cleveland put the game away in the seventh on a three-run homer by Kipnis off of Travis Wood, pushing the lead to 7–1.^[187] Fowler hit a consolation eighth inning solo home run off of reliever Andrew Miller, but that was it as the Cubs lost 7–2 and fell behind in the series three games to one.

Game 5

Facing elimination and the last game at Wrigley Field for the season, the Cubs sent ace Jon Lester to the mound while the Indians countered with Trevor Bauer. Lester surrendered a second inning homer to José Ramírez as the Cubs fell behind 1–0.^[188] However, Kris Bryant answered in the fourth, homering to left to lead off the inning. Anthony Rizzo doubled following Bryant's homer and Ben Zobrist singled. Addison Russell followed with an infield single to score Rizzo and put the Cubs up 2–1. Following a Jason Heyward strikeout, Javier Báez singled on a bunt to load the bases with one out. David Ross hit a sacrifice fly to score Zobrist, but Lester struck out to end the inning. Bauer was removed from the game after pitching four innings, but the Cubs could do no further damage.^[189] Leading 3–1, Lester allowed a run in the sixth following a single and stolen base by Rajai Davis and a Francisco Lindor single. Lester was lifted with the 3–2 lead after six innings. Carl Edwards Jr. replaced Lester in the seventh and gave up a single. Following a flyout, Cub manager Joe Maddon went to closer Aroldis Chapman for an eight-out save.^[190] Chapman closed out the seventh and gave up a single to Davis in the eighth. Davis stole second and third, but Chapman stranded him there. In the ninth, Chapman retired the side, striking out Ramírez to end the game and extend the series to a Game 6 in Cleveland.

Game 6

Jake Arrieta was the starting pitcher in Game 6

The series returned to Cleveland with the Cubs looking to force a seventh game while the Indians looked to win the series. Cubs starter Jake Arrieta took the mound for the Cubs while Josh Tomlin took the hill for the Indians. The game started well for the Indians as Tomlin retired the first two batters easily and moved to an 0–2 count on Kris Bryant. However, Bryant drove Tomlin's next pitch over the left field wall to give the Cubs an early 1–0 lead. Anthony Rizzo followed the homer with a single and Ben Zobrist singled to move Rizzo to third. Addison Russell hit a fly ball to right-center that looked to end the inning, but ended up falling between the Indians outfielders and scoring Rizzo. Zobrist also scored on the play knocking over Indians catcher Roberto Pérez to give the Cubs an early 3–0 lead. Arrieta cruised through the first two innings for the Cubs. In the third, Kyle Schwarber led off the inning with a walk. Bryant flied out and Rizzo singled. Zobrist singled again to load the bases and chase Tomlin from the game.^[191] Dan Otero, replacing Tomlin, pushed Russell to an 0–2 count before Russell belted a homer to deep left-center field for a grand slam. The Cubs lead ballooned to 7–0 and a seventh game seemed likely. In the fifth, Arrieta allowed a double to Jason Kipnis and he scored on a Mike Napoli single to reduce the lead by one. In the fifth, Kipnis further reduced the lead with a solo home run to left putting the Cubs up 7–2. Following a walk by Arrieta in the sixth, Mike Montgomery replaced him on the mound to induce a groundout to end the inning. In the seventh, Montgomery walked Pérez and gave up a Kipnis single with two outs. Cubs manager Joe Maddon again called on Cub closer Aroldis Chapman and he induced a groundout by Francisco Lindor to end the inning. Chapman gave up a single in the eighth, but got a double play to end the inning. In the ninth, with two outs, Bryant singled for his fourth hit of the game. Rizzo homered to push the Cub lead back to seven at 9–2. On the verge of pushing the series to a seventh game, Chapman walked the first batter and was replaced by Pedro Strop.^[192] After giving up a run-scoring single to Pérez and walking Carlos Santana, Travis Wood entered to get the final out and force a game seven in the series.^[193]

Game 7

Anthony Rizzo after catching the final out of the World Series

Cubs storming the field moments after winning Game 7

With the series tied at three games apiece, the Cubs sent regular season ERA leader Kyle Hendricks to the mound. The Indians countered with Corey Kluber, winner of Games 1 and 4. Things started well for the Cubs as Dexter Fowler led off the game with a home run to straight away center to give the Cubs an early 1–0 lead. Hendricks held the Indians scoreless until the third when Coco Crisp doubled, was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Roberto Pérez, and scored on a single by Carlos Santana. The Cubs jumped back out in front in the fourth when Kris Bryant singled, Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch, and Ben Zobrist forced Rizzo at second. Addison Russell hit a shallow fly ball to left field which allowed Bryant to tag and score to put the Cubs up 2–1. Willson Contreras followed the sacrifice fly with a double to right-center field to score Zobrist and the Cubs were up 3–1. The lead increased in the fifth when Javier Báez homered on the first pitch of the inning to drive Kluber from the game. Andrew Miller, who had dominated the postseason, entered the game. Following a single by Fowler, Kyle Schwarber grounded in to a double play and Miller looked to have escaped the inning. But, Bryant coaxed a walk on a nine-pitch at bat and scored from first on a single to right by Rizzo to make the lead 5–1. Hendricks, who had seemingly settled down, got the first two outs in the bottom of the fifth, but walked Santana. Cub manager Joe Maddon pulled Hendricks to be replaced by Games 1 and 5 starter, Jon Lester. Lester allowed a dribbler in front of the plate by Jason Kipnis, but David Ross, who had entered the game with Lester and was playing in his final major league game, threw wildly to first allowing runners to advance to second and third. Lester uncorked a wild pitch that bounced off Ross's mask and scored both runners, tightening the lead to 5–3. Ross partially atoned for the error in the sixth with a homer to center field to bring the lead to 6–3. Lester allowed runners in the sixth and the seventh, but held the Indians without a run. In the eighth, after retiring the first two batters, Lester allowed a single up the middle to José Ramírez.^[194] Maddon had seen enough and brought Aroldis Chapman, pitching in his third straight game, into the contest. Brandon Guyer promptly doubled to score Ramirez and reduce the lead to two. Rajai Davis then stunned the Cubs by homering to left to tie the game at six.^[195] In the ninth, Ross walked and was pinch run for by Chris Coghlan. Jason Heyward grounded into a force play, but then stole second and advanced on a bad throw by Yan Gomes. With two strikes, Báez attempted to bunt, but fouled out. Fowler grounded out to end the threat. Surprisingly, Chapman returned to the mound in the ninth and retired the Indians in order to force extra innings.

However, before the tenth inning could start, rain delayed the game for 17 minutes.^[196] During this rain delay, Heyward called a player's meeting in the visiting clubhouse's weight room to rally the team.^[197] Schwarber singled upon resumption of play and was pinch run for by Albert Almora Jr.^[198] Almora advanced to second on a sacrifice fly by Bryant and the Indians chose to walk Rizzo to face Zobrist. Zobrist responded by doubling down the left field line off Bryan Shaw to score Almora. Shaw then intentionally walked Russell to load the bases. Miguel Montero, in the game after Ross was lifted for a pinch runner, scored Rizzo on a single up the middle to move the lead to 8–6. Game 2 and 5 starter Trevor Bauer then retired Heyward and Báez to end the inning. Carl Edwards, Jr. was called on by Maddon to end the Cubs World Series drought in the bottom of the tenth. Edwards retired the first two batters with ease, but walked Guyer. Davis followed up his game-tying homer by singling to score Guyer and reduce the lead to one. With the Indians out of position players, Michael Martínez, who had entered the game as a defensive replacement, came to the plate with two outs. Maddon countered with Mike Montgomery. On the second pitch by Montgomery, Martínez hit a soft grounder to Bryant who threw to first to end the game and the World Series. The win broke the Cubs' 108-year World Series drought.^[199] Zobrist, who batted .357 in the series and led all players with 10 hits, was named World Series MVP.^[200][201] Many baseball sources have called this game "one of the greatest Game 7's ever played."^[202]

Composite line score

2016 World Series (4-3): Chicago Cubs beat Cleveland Indians.

World Series Roster