The Bizzaro World Where the Cubs Didn’t Win Game 7

I know, it is something that most Chicago Cubs fans almost cannot bring themselves to. We have felt and enjoyed every single second of every single day since the Cubs ended their 108 year championship drought, and it was everything us fans had hoped and wished it would be. I have to warn you, this article might not be for everyone, but I thought, in the sick and demented world I live, I want to punish myself, the world I live in, so I decided to write this anyways. So all I ask is that you bare with me here as I take you on the most difficult, but perhaps more familiar tale of the bizzaro world where the rain never came, Jason Heyward never gave a speech, Ben Zobrist never drove in Albert Almora, and the Cubs didn’t win game 7 of the World Series.

Cubs Half, 9th Inning

Joe Buck: I don’t know about you John (Smoltz), but it is difficult for any team to collect themselves after the Rajai Davis home run. How would a team shake that off, regain their composure, and try and score against a difficult Cleveland Indians bullpen?

John Smoltz: Well, that is certainly a difficult task, but it has got to start off with the guys that have done it all season for the Cubs.

Buck: That was a great at bat by the Cubs emotional and veteran leader, David Ross. After hitting a long homer in his last at bat, Cody Allen walked Ross on five pitches.

Smoltz: Maddon will almost certainly go to the bench here and pinch run for Grandpa Ross here.

Buck: Yes, it looks like Chris Coghlan will run in the place of Ross.

Smoltz: You would expect Coghlan to be running somewhere early in the count, and he should be successful since Yan Gomes still hasn’t fully recovered from the shoulder injury he suffered back in August. Baserunners have been successful on 63% of steal attempts all season on Gomes, and even more successful since he came back from that injury. 

Buck: Jason Heyward steps to the plate. He has really struggled in 2016, do you think Maddon will opt to hit and run here, allowing Jason to potentially move the go-ahead run to third?  

Smoltz: I doubt it in this position, while Heyward has struggled, he has a .429 average in the ninth inning and later this season. If Coghlan steals here, Jason has a good chance at plating the go-ahead run.

Buck: …and the pitch. Jason hits a dribbler to second base, the Indians get the force at second, but with Heyward hustling out of the box he was able to beat the relay throw back to first.

Smoltz: A lot of people have talked about his woes at the plate this season, but it is plays like that and his defense that has made Jason a very valuable part of this ballclub in 2016.

Buck: He has certainly found other ways to contribute. Do you think the Cubs missed an opportunity by not sending Coghlan in that at bat?

Smoltz: It is difficult to question Joe Maddon and his decisions, look, the Cubs wouldn’t be in this position without him leading the team. But, if the Indians find a way to score and win this game, there will be a lot of people in baseball questioning a lot of things that happened in this game.

Buck: Well now Baez steps to the plate with yet another opportunity to add to his outstanding playoff performance.

Smoltz: You see the youth in his play, and while you would like to coach some of that out of him, his youth just might be the reason he has been able to rise above the pressures of playing playoff baseball.

Buck: The pitch, and Heyward takes off for second base! He slides in there and Gomes’ throw goes out into centerfield. Jason advances to third, and now the potential go-ahead and championship winning run is on third base.

Smoltz: Again, Jason knows he hasn’t hit much this year but he continues to find other ways to help the Cubs win ballgames. It is yet to be determined, but if he scores here, that stolen base will be remembered for a very long time in Chicago.

Buck: And now Baez, the NLCS Co-MVP, has the chance to be a hero, here again, in Game 7 of the World Series.

Smoltz: This is what you always dream about as a kid, Game 7, winning run is on third base, and you have the opportunity to end the 108 year curse.

Buck: Well in a somewhat weird play, Baez strikes out on an awkward two-strike bunt attempt.

Smoltz: Yeah, I’m not sure I get that one Joe. Here is a guy that has been doing it for you all postseason, the Indians are clearly in a tough spot, and you have Baez attempt to squeeze Heyward in?

I just don’t get that play.

Buck: That could very possibly be added to the list of questionable decisions if this game doesn’t go the Cubs way.

Smoltz: I’m beginning to fear that, that list is becoming too large for the Cubs to overcome.

Buck: All could be forgotten if Dexter Fowler can come through here. But first, the Indians will turn to Brian Shaw to shut down this Cubs rally.

(((Commercial break… The NFL game of the week seems eerily unimportant. Then there is that damned Skip Bayless)))

Buck: Welcome back, the Indians have brought in Shaw to face Dexter Fowler, what do you think of Fowler, John?

Smoltz: He has been their best hitter today, and possibly all season long Joe. He has been the man starting it all, as Maddon says, “you go, we go,” and he has lived up to that mantra. 

Buck: And it will be a long time before Cubs fans forget about what he did in the first inning to lead off the game.

Buck: Dexter with a smash up the middle, Francisco Lindor ranging, great pickup and throw….. 

Got’em! A phenomenal play to end the Cubs chances, and the Cleveland Indians go to the bottom of the ninth with a chance to win the 2016 World Series.

(((Commercial break, Fox pumping more shows down our throats, American Dad and Undisputed)))

Indians Half, 9th Inning

Buck: As we move to the bottom of the ninth, the Indians will bring Santana, Kipnis, and Lindor to the plate against the Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman. 

Smoltz: As tired and worn out as Chapman might be, with these three coming to the plate, this is absolutely the right move here Joe. With Tito sending his best to the plate, Maddon certainly needs his best on the mound.

Buck: And the most dangerous Indians hitters have been without a doubt, Kipnis and Lindor. This series they have batted .300 and .307 to this point, respectively.

Smoltz: To be honest Joe, they have been the ones that have had the best at bats, and haven’t allowed the moment to get to them.

Buck: First Carlos Santana will get a cut at Chapman.

I’m surprised by the number of sliders he has shown Santana in this at bat, I wonder if this is a sign of him tiring?

Smoltz: It could be that, but I think this is Chapman giving the Indians a different look since they have seen so much of him over the past couple of days. A 105 MPH fastball is fast the first couple times you see it, but seeing it over a stretch of seven games it becomes less dangerous.

Buck: And Chapman gets Santana to fly out for the first out of the inning. Due next is Kipnis.

Smoltz: I really like Kipnis in this situation. He has shown the ability to take good at bats, and has stayed in long on spinners.

Buck: Remember what Kipnis did against another Cubs left handed pitcher back in game three in Chicago.

Buck: Kipnis just continues to work this count John.

Smoltz: Chapman has given him nothing but sliders in this at bat, which is turning into an at bat for the ages.

Buck: And finally Chapman gets Kipnis on a 3-2 fastball registered at 97 MPH.

Smoltz: When I hear that Chapman is firing 97 MPH heaters, I know that he is done. Even if he feels strong, anyone in this league can hit a 97 MPH fastball that isn’t moving.

Buck: Well he is going to face at least one more batter, Lindor is the only man standing between an Indians championship and extra-innings.

Smoltz: I am so impressed by this kid. He doesn’t seem phased by the moment at all.

Buck: Well, unphased or not, Chapman gets Lindor to lift one safely to Jason Heyward standing in right. We will go to extra’s here in game seven. 

(((Commercial, probably yet another with Skip Bayless)))

Cubs Half, 10th Inning

Buck: Well here we are, in the fourth ever extra inning game seven in World Series history. What do you see happening from here John?

Smoltz: Well it has got to be hard for the Cubs to continue to battle in this game. They had, what is considered a huge lead in the eighth inning, Davis hits the huge home run to tie the game, and then they fail to get Heyward in from third with only one out. I just feel all of the momentum is on the Indians side.

Buck: Not only that, but there is a complete different feel to that Cubs dugout now than there was back before that Davis home run.

Smoltz: It has got to be hard, even though you might not believe in the curse, or a higher power not allowing the Cubs to win a championship, but all it takes is a couple of guys in that dugout to start thinking it, someone mentions it, and it could consume the entire team’s mentality.

Buck: Players will never admit to a coaching decision effecting them, but if they lose this game how many of those players might start looking towards Maddon as the reason for a potential loss?

Smoltz: Professionals may never admit that out loud, but secretly and to themselves they most certainly can have those conversations. What is more dangerous is, what if they carry those thoughts over to 2017?

Buck: Well before we write the Cubs eulogy, they are coming to the plate, and the sensational Kyle Schwarber will lead things off.

Smoltz: This is another one, like Lindor, who has been able to rise above the moment and not allow the pressures of the World Series effect his play. He very well could take a pitch over a wall quickly. 

Buck: I know Cubs fans remember this blast he hit back in the 2015 NLDS.

Buck: Schwarber drills a ball, but right at Jason Kipnis who was playing perfectly in a shift and throws Kyle out at first.

Smoltz: An inch to the left and that gets through for a hit. Instead, as happens so much in baseball, it goes down as a ground out.

Buck: Now the probable National League MVP, Kris Bryant steps to the plate. I am sure you remember his mammoth home run in yesterday’s game six.

Smoltz: You can make a case for a lot of Cubs being important, or their catalyst, but Bryant is that guy. His game five home run was the key to that Cubs win, and his home run in game six was equally as important.

Buck: AND BRYANT MAY HAVE DONE IT AGAIN… He blasts a ball to deep right center, Davis is ranging back, and makes a great catch running that ball down in the alley.

Smoltz: Knowing how balls fly out of here at night, and tracking that ball off the bat, and watching a couple other Cubs balls carry to that area of the park, it certainly looked like a home run.

Buck: It looks like that front that moved through really changed the air here in Cleveland.

Anthony Rizzo steps to the plate.

Smoltz: Yes, you could feel the skies wanting to pour out rain, but it just passed us over.

Buck: And the weather man has pushed any rain off until around 1 AM local time, so unless this game goes 15 innings, we should be relatively dry here in Cleveland.

The 2-2… Rizzo strikes out swinging on a pitch high and in.

Smoltz: And looking into that Cubs dugout, they are a team in desperate need of some sort of something. A long delay, pitching change, something that allows them to reset their minds.

Buck: Well hopefully they can gather themselves during the break as the Indians will have another shot at winning this game.

(((Commercial… Ok, I mean… no one likes Skip Bayless Fox. Why do you insist on promoting this pompous jerk?)))

Indians Half, 10th Inning

Buck: We are back in Cleveland. It’s the bottom of the 10th and the Indians will send Mike Napoli, Jose Ramirez and Brandon Guyer to the plate. Then if anyone reaches Rajai Davis is lurking.

Smoltz: We also have to mention, Carl Edwards Jr., a 25 year old with forty some odd appearances will be on the mound for the Cubs.

Buck: Well Edwards was able to get the veteran, Napoli on a 95-MPH fast ball.

Smoltz: For a young kid, without much experience, Maddon has shown a lot of trust in Edwards in this postseason, and trust can be a gigantic confidence booster. 

Buck: Ramirez with a sharp bouncer to Addison Russell, who throws him out at first.

Looks like Joe is smarter than us, and trusting this young kid in these situations is the right call.

Smoltz: Yes, I mean, biggest game of his life and he mows down the first two batters like he’s done this for twenty years.

Buck: Well Guyer just earned himself a five pitch walk here with two outs in the 10th inning of game seven.

Smoltz: And this brings Davis back to the plate, he’s playing with a ton of confidence.

Buck: And he should, as we take you back to his huge home run in the eighth to tie this game up, he’s the reason there’s extra baseball here.

Buck: Edwards with the pitch, Guyer takes off for second and is in there. Now this is a completely different at bat, isn’t it John.

Smoltz: Well Joe, it is and if I am Maddon right here I send pitching coach Chris Bosio out there to talk to him.

Buck: That is exactly what has happened, Boiso is coming out to talk Edwards down. Would it be beneficial for Maddon to go out himself in this situation?

Smoltz: No. If Maddon comes out it usually means he’s going to pull you. I wouldn’t want the kid to go through those emotions, and then stay in. Also, Joe hasn’t come out to talk to him all season long, just having Joe come out can allow the situation to feel different, and you don’t want Edwards to feel different in this situation.

Buck: Bosio is done, and Edwards is ready. The Pitch. Ball two, two balls and no strikes and this is beginning to get dicey for Edwards and the Cubs.

Smoltz: All you can do now as a pitcher is focus and execute. You’ve throw this next pitch a million times from age five till today, you’ve got to block out that this is the World Series, game seven, extra innings, and that the championship winning run is on second.

Buck: Is that how you dealt with these situations John?

Smoltz: No, that’s what we had Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine for.

Buck: Edwards delivery. A bit high but gets the call, two and one.

Smoltz: He might have gotten away with one there, but sometimes that is all you need to get you back in a grove.

Buck: Edwards to the plate.
(((CRACK)))
INTO CENTERFIELD, DAVIS WITH ANOTHER HUGE HIT. GUYER IS HEADED AROUND THIRD, FOWLER IS GUNNING HOME. IT IS GOING TO BE CLOSE.

MONTERO IN POSITION, GOOD THROW, CLEAN GRAB, GUYER COLLIDES WITH MONTERO.

THE BALL DRIBBLES AWAY FROM MONTERO, GUYER SCORES, THE CLEVELAND INDIANS WIN!

In ending a 67 year championship drought, the Cleveland Indians are the 2016 World Series Champions

(((Several dramatic minutes of silence)))

Buck: John, I don’t know about you but we may have just witnessed the greatest game in baseball history, and it ended on the most dramatic play we may have ever seen in the World Series. 

Smoltz: You might be right Joe, this game had it all. Great offense, quality pitching, a miraculous comeback, and that very player responsible for the game being tied, ending things in extra-innings on a dramatic play at home.

Buck: You have got to feel for the Chicago Cubs. All year they were the best team in baseball. Scoring runs, playing defense, pitching better than anyone.

Smoltz: But they ran into a really great team in Cleveland, who was just playing better than the Cubs were, right now.

CHICAGO HEADLINES

Chicago Tribune: The Curse Lives, Maddon New Goat

Chicago Sun-Times: Cubs Lose Game 7, Add Cubs Manager to Cubbie Occurrences

Daily Herald: 109 Years

ESPN: He Did Suck

Chicagoland blogs: 10 Horrific Decisions by Joe Maddon that Cost Cubs the Series

It is a different time, all those fans that would chant, “trust in Joe” have changed their tune. After, what could only be described as panic moves in game seven, Cubs fans have a genuinely mixed bag of emotions with manager Joe Maddon.

We’ve heard the rumbles from others as well. It’s been leaked that, Cubs pitcher John Lackey has told friends there are multiple players in the Cubs dugout that question Joe’s decisions and think he cost the team the championship.

But when Cubs catcher, Miguel Montero talked about the playoffs on ESPN 1000’s Waddle and Silvy, he exploded on a number of issues. Miguel questioned his playing time, and was upset that he wasn’t at least spoken to, letting him know that he would have a reduced role. But the real damaging remarks came when he mentioned that there are guys that will now “do it their way” within the Cubs clubhouse.

This mentality seemed to be echoed by Jake Arrieta, who come the end of 2017 will certainly test free agency. He mentioned that Kyle (Hendricks), and Jon (Lester) might not say it themselves, but they were “pissed” about their usage, and pitching coach Chris Bosio had a “hard time talking them off the ledge.” If you recall, Maddon wanted to bring Lester into a clean inning and not in the middle of a current inning. With Hendricks rolling, forcing a soft ground ball and a strike out for the first two outs of the fifth, Maddon pulled Kyle after walking Carlos Santana after a series of questionable calls.

In came Lester, who was willing, but perhaps not ready. He did force Kipnis into a weak ground ball, which David Ross threw away, allowing Santana to reach third and Jason advancing to second. Then while working to retire Francisco Lindor, Lester bounced a ball which hit Ross’ face mask, bounced away, and scored both Indians runners. Many, including some in the Cubs clubhouse, believe Maddon should have allowed Kyle to continue that inning and bring Lester in the following inning.

Then, after Lester regaining command, he breezed through the sixth and seventh innings. The Cubs sent Lester out again, and he seemed to still be in control in the eighth. Making quick work, Lester got the first two outs, and could have gotten out of the inning after he force Jose Ramirez to hit a quick grounder to Addison Russell. But it was a little too hot and Ramirez reached, causing Joe to go to the pen.

In came Chapman. Who had been clearly overused in this series, was coming in again for yet another extended save opportunity.

This time the usage was clearly showing. His fastball topped out at only 100 MPH, and he was relying on his secondary pitches way too much. Eventually this cost him as Davis connected on a ball that he shot out to left field bouncing it off a camera. But Maddon stayed with him, he would complete the eighth and come on out for the ninth as well.

In the Cubs half of the ninth, something, almost unthinkable happened. With he go-ahead run on third base, and only one out, Maddon called for Javier Baez to bunt in an attempt to squeeze in Jason Heyward. Baez had earlier hit a home run off Corey Kluber, chasing him from the game, and Baez had hit the game-winning home run off Johnny Cueto in the memorable 1-0 win earlier in the playoffs, AND he had several other huge late inning hits all throughout the playoffs. Now Maddon wanted him to bunt… and it didn’t work in their favor.

The man that had a huge part in bringing the Cubs to the World Series, is now the scapegoat responsible for their loss. Is this grounds for Theo Epstein to fire the beloved Cubs skipper?

It sure would be hard to fire a manager that just coached a team to the championship series, but look no further than the Chicago Bears and their head coach, John Fox. After coaching what seemed to be the league’s best regular season team, Fox was fired in the offseason due to his inability to win in the Super Bowl.

I’m not suggesting that this is a course the Cubs could, or should take, but many fans and some media has broached the topic.

The Cubs, even with the probable loss of guys like Dexter Fowler and Travis Wood and Jason Hammel, should be considered one of the favorites to win in 2017. Afterall this was part of the plan, compete for enough titles and maybe you eventually win one.

 

Outro: Allright, as all of you know, this was complete fiction, well some of it was based on the actual game. I just had this idea one day while sitting in horrible Chicago rush hour traffic, and decided to give it a try. This isn’t my typical bag, and believe me – it was painful to write.

I know this isn’t for everyone, but perhaps a small glimpse at the alter, bizzaro universe where the 2016 Chicago Cubs didn’t win. Wow I hate writing that.

Let us know what you think in the comments below, please don’t be hateful as we all already know the Cubs did win.

 

*Featured Picture via the New York Times.