The Cubbies come back to Chicago Tuesday to play their first game in the National League Championship Series in 12 years. That’s exciting!
The bad news?
They’re already down 0-2 to the Mets in a best of seven series.
But don’t fret north-siders. If foreshadowing and superstition are any indication — and trust me, we all know you’re superstitious — the Cubbies still have a great shot to not only take down the New York Metropolitans, but actually win the World Series for the first time in 107 years.
Here’s why
#1 The ‘Back To The Future’ Theory
The most obvious and widely publicized choice, is because BTTF writer (and Cardinals fan) Bob Gale wrote a scene for the second movie in which the Cubs win the World Series.
For the few of you who haven’t seen the movie, or have some how forgotten, Marty McFly (played by Michael J. Fox) travels 30 years into the future to 2015. When he arrives he sees on a holographic jumbo-tron that the Cubbies swept ‘Miami’ for their first World Series championship in more than 100 years.
I witnessed first hand plenty of fans who are truly buying into this possible movie-fulfilled prophecy.
‘Curse of the billy goat’ + ‘Back To The Future’ = ?
#2 The ‘Rookie of the Year’ Is On Board
The star of the 1993 film, ‘Rookie of the Year,’ Thomas Ian Nicholas, has met with the owners of the Cubs and jokes that he’s seen the last Cubs’ championship.
You see, in ‘Rookie of the Year,’ Nicholas plays a young lad who gets pulled out of Jr. High School because of his wicked arm, leading the north-siders to the WS title.
Ridiculous, but if this Chicago fan believes, who knows the possibilities. After all, he was in a Cubs uniform the last time the Cubs won anything. Even if it was on a set.
#3 Theo Epstein
Photo: Getty
If Epstein pulls off a World Series win with the Cubs, there is no doubt he’s a bonafide Hall of Famer.
The President of Baseball Operations for the Cubbies already broke the ‘Curse of the Great Bambino’ in Boston back in 2004, helping lead the Red Sox to their first World Series championship in 86 years as the team’s GM. So what’s a 107 curse?
#4 Ticket Prices
The Cubs might possibly have the largest fan base in the National League, and certainly they have the most eager.
The Cubs haven’t even been to a World Series since 1945, so people are willing to pay extreme prices to get a glimpse of the team that could be the first to be called champions since 1908.
According to Gametime, the average price for a single ticket at Wrigley Field for Game 3 Tuesday is $984 with a high of $1,794. In comparison, it cost just $162 on average to see the Blue Jays @ Royals in Kansas City for Game 1 of the ALCS.
The Cubs most likely have the most avid supporters of the final four teams remaining.
#5 Kyle Schwarber Gots da Moves
Rookie outfielder Kyle Schwarber really knows how to swing a stick. This we know. But did you know he was also a stud in his high school show choir?
You can find him in this video from 2010 – Middletown, Ohio’s finest ‘Purple Pizzazz!’
#6 Jake Arrieta, Cy Young?
Aside from having a stacked, youthful lineup, the Cubs might possibly have the best pitcher in baseball right now.
Arrieta, although has given up more runs than usual in his last two starts, went 22-6 in the regular season. His 1.77 season ERA is among the lowest in baseball history since the mound was lowered in the late 60s and he ran a streak in which the Cubs won 19 consecutive games in which Arrieta was the starter.
#7 Danica Patrick Said So
The NASCAR driver told gave the Chicago Tribune her prediction:
“Cubs win! I live in Chicago and anyone who knows a Chicagoan knows we have a lot of pride and excitement for our home teams. I’ve thrown out the first pitch twice over the years, so if they need a relief pitcher, don’t call me if you want to win!”
#8 The Records Back It Up
The Cubs may have dropped the first two games of the NLCS to the Mets in New York, but in the regular season, the cubs went 7-0 against them. They also went 2-1 against the Royals, who are up 2 games to nill against the Blue Jays in the ALCS.
#9 Kobayashi Ate The Goat
Photo: Getty
You know the whole ‘curse of the billy goat’ thing? Well, competitive eating champion Kobayashi and two of his friends devoured a 40-pound goat at a local Chicago eatery, all in 12 minutes, all to help end the curse.
#10 Steve Bartman Won’t Be There
The poor fan blamed for ruining the Cub’s chances in 2003 had a GoFundMe campaign started for him earlier this month to support him coming to a game. Bartman reportedly declined, which I guess is good news for those of you are truly believe in the curse.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports
