The first time in five years this hasn't been a Yankees v Pirates matchup and, more importantly for Cubs fans, the first time their club has been in this position in 34 years, since the most recent of the franchise's four World Championships in 1910.
Their being here wouldn't come as a huge surprise, as there's no doubt they have been inching closer to a pennant these past few seasons. And, thanks to a couple of injuries for their opponents, they'd be quietly confident about their chances of going all the way.
That said, even with those injuries - particularly to Dutch Leonard and Dom DiMaggio - this is an imposing Red Sox lineup, led by clearly the best offensive player in the game right now in Ted Williams. He is well protected in the middle of a lineup that can hurt you top to bottom, with Bus Clarkson, Aaron Robinson and Bobby Doerr all power threats.
And I think the Sox will still be too good for the Baby Bears this time around, although those injuries and Chicago's home-field advantage will keep things tighter than they might otherwise have been. Boston in six for mine.