[Nick Soulis]

Series #183



2016 Chicago Cubs
Record: 103-58
Finish: World Champions
Manager: Joe Maddon
Ball Park: Wrigley Field
WAR Leader: Kris Bryant (7.2)
Franchise Record: 9-6
2016 Season Record: 3-0
Hall of Famers: None
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/2016.shtml

1925 Philadelphia Athletics
Record: 88-64
Finish: 2nd in AL
Manager: Connie Mack
Ball Park: Shibe Park
WAR Leader: Al Simmons (6.6)
Franchise Record: 6-15
1925 Season Record: 1-0
Hall of Famers: (4)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHA/1925.shtml
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Cubs Survive Mack's Athletics
Seven Game Struggle Goes Blue Behind Arrieta Gem



Game 1
At Wrigley Field
1925 Philadelphia Athletics 2
2016 Chicago Cubs 5
WP: K. Hendricks (1-0) LP: S. Harriss (0-1) S: H. Rendon (1)
HR: None
POG: Kyle Hendricks (7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K, 106 P)
2016 Cubs Lead Series 1-0

Under the bright lights of Wrigley Field, the 2016 Chicago Cubs secured a 5-2 victory over the 1925 Philadelphia Athletics in Game 1 of their best-of-seven Field of Dreams series. Kyle Hendricks delivered a masterful performance, striking out ten over seven innings while allowing just three hits. The Cubs broke through in the fourth inning, with Ben Zobrist’s bases-clearing double fueling a four-run rally. The Athletics mounted a late push in the eighth, as Jimmy Dykes laced a two-run double, but Chicago’s bullpen shut the door, with Héctor Rondón earning the save. With the Cubs now leading the series 1-0, the teams will face off again tomorrow under the crisp October skies of Chicago.

Game 2
At Wrigley Field
1925 Philadelphia Athletics 2
2016 Chicago Cubs 3
WP: J. Lester (1-0) LP: F. Heimach (0-1) S: H. Rendon (2)
HR: S. Hale (1), D. Fowler (1)
POG: Jon Lester (8 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 2 K, 96 P)
2016 Cubs Lead Series 2-0

On a crisp October evening at Wrigley Field, the 2016 Chicago Cubs held off the 1925 Philadelphia Athletics in a tense 3-2 victory, seizing a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Field of Dreams series. Jon Lester was masterful on the mound, throwing eight strong innings, allowing just two runs on four hits while striking out two. The Cubs took the lead in the second inning on a Willson Contreras RBI double and added to their total with a Dexter Fowler solo homer in the fifth. However, the Athletics clawed back, with pinch-hitter Sammy Hale launching a solo shot in the sixth to briefly tie the game at 2-2. But Contreras once again played hero, knocking in the go-ahead run with a clutch single in the bottom of the frame. Philadelphia struggled to generate offense against Lester and closer Héctor Rondón, who retired the side in order in the ninth to secure the save. The game wasn’t without fireworks—Cubs slugger Anthony Rizzo was ejected in the second inning for arguing a strike call, adding fuel to an already high-stakes matchup. With the series shifting to historic Shibe Park for Game 3, the Cubs now find themselves two wins away from victory, while the Athletics look to respond in front of their home crowd.

Game 3
At Shibe Park
2016 Chicago Cubs 3
1925 Philadelphia Athletics 8
WP: A. Stokes (1-0) LP: R. Zastryzny (0-1)
HR: J. Arrieta (1), M. Cochrane (1)
POG: Jake Arrieta (7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 7 K, 103 P)
2016 Cubs Lead Series 2-1

In front of a raucous Shibe Park crowd, the 1925 Philadelphia Athletics roared to life in the eighth inning, erupting for seven runs to stun the 2016 Chicago Cubs in an 8-3 victory. The win, fueled by clutch hitting and a bullpen meltdown by the Cubs, trims Chicago's series lead to 2-1 in the best-of-seven Field of Dreams showdown. For much of the night, it was a tense pitcher's duel, with Jake Arrieta dominating for the Cubs, allowing just one run over seven innings while striking out seven. Meanwhile, Philadelphia's Eddie Rommel worked five solid frames before turning it over to the bullpen. Chicago held a 3-1 lead entering the bottom of the eighth, but disaster struck when reliever Rob Zastryzny failed to record an out, surrendering a flurry of hits, including a game-changing two-run double by Bill Lamar that put the Athletics ahead for good. Moments later, Mickey Cochrane delivered the knockout punch—a three-run blast off Carl Edwards Jr. to send the Philadelphia faithful into a frenzy. "One big inning can change everything," Cochrane said after the game."Tonight, we got our moment." The Cubs, who managed only four hits, now look to rebound in Game 4 as the Athletics aim to even the series on their home turf.

Game 4
At Shibe Park
2016 Chicago Cubs 7
1925 Philadelphia Athletics 5 (11 inn)
WP: J. Grimm (1-0) LP: L. Willis (0-1) S: T. Wood (1)
HR: D. Fowler (2), J. Heyward (1), M. Bishop (1)
POG: John Lackey (6 IOP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 101 P)
2016 Cubs lead series 3-1

In a thrilling clash straight out of a "Field of Dreams," Game 4 of the best-of-seven playoff series between the 2016 Chicago Cubs and the 1925 Philadelphia Athletics unfolded on Wednesday, October 5th, 2016, at Shibe Park. The Cubs, led by right-hander John Lackey, edged out the Athletics 7-5 in an 11-inning battle, putting Chicago on the brink of a Series #183 triumph with a 3-1 lead. Lackey set the tone, pitching six strong innings and allowing just two runs, while Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo delivered the decisive blow with a clutch RBI single in the 11th to break a 5-5 tie. The Athletics fought valiantly, with Max Bishop’s two-run homer in the ninth tying the game and forcing extras, but Philadelphia’s bullpen faltered late. Dexter Fowler also shone for Chicago, smashing a solo homer and doubling twice, while the Cubs’ timely hitting and resilience—highlighted by Rizzo’s postgame remark, "Our team showed some gumption. I like it"—propelled them to victory. With the series now tilting heavily in their favor, the Cubs look to seal the deal in Game 5 tomorrow at the same historic venue.

Game 5
At Shibe Park
2016 Chicago Cubs 4
1925 Philadelphia Athletics 5
WP: S. Harriss (1-1) LP: K. Hendricks (1-1) S: L. Willis (1)
HR: None
POG: Slim Harris (7 OP, 8 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 107 P)
2016 Cubs Lead Series 3-2

In a thrilling clash straight out of a "Field of Dreams" fantasy, Game 5 of the best-of-seven series between the 2016 Chicago Cubs and the 1925 Philadelphia Athletics unfolded on October 6, 2016, at Shibe Park. With the Cubs leading the series 3-1, the Athletics, fueled by desperation and home-field grit, refused to let their championship hopes fade. Slim Harriss took the mound for Philadelphia and delivered a gutsy 7.0 innings, surrendering just three runs while striking out seven, keeping the Cubs' potent lineup in check. The turning point came in the third inning when Frank Welch smashed a bases-clearing double off Kyle Hendricks, flipping a 2-2 tie into a 5-2 Athletics lead that would prove decisive. Despite Javier Baez’s dazzling 3-for-4 night—including two doubles and two stolen bases—Chicago couldn’t overcome the early deficit, managing only a late run in the ninth to close the gap to 5-4. Philadelphia’s bullpen, capped by Lefty Willis’ tense two-out save, held firm, trimming the Cubs’ series lead to 3-2. As the Athletics staved off elimination.

Game 6
At Wrigley Field
1925 Philadelphia Athletics 6
2016 Chicago Cubs 1
WP: R. Walberg (1-0) J. Lester (1-1)
HR: D. Fowler (3), B. Miller (1)
POG: Rube Walberg (5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 94 P)
Series Tied 3-3

The 1925 Philadelphia Athletics refused to go quietly, delivering a resounding 6-1 victory over the 2016 Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field to even the best-of-seven series at 3-3. Behind a dominant performance from starter Rube Walberg and a five-run outburst between the fourth and fifth innings, the Athletics ensured that the series would be decided in a winner-take-all Game 7.Walberg was masterful, limiting the Cubs to just one run on four hits over 5.1 innings while striking out six. His lone blemish came in the third when Dexter Fowler launched a solo home run, but the Cubs' offense was otherwise stifled. Meanwhile, Philadelphia’s bats came alive in the fifth, highlighted by Bing Miller’s two-run homer and a clutch RBI double from Jimmy Dykes.Jon Lester struggled for the Cubs, surrendering six earned runs on seven hits in just 4.2 innings. Chicago’s lineup, which had powered them to three wins earlier in the series, managed only six hits and failed to capitalize on key opportunities.

Game 7
At Wrigley Field
1925 Philadelphia Athletics 2
2016 Chicago Cubs 8
WP: J. Arrieta (1-0) LP: E. Rommel (0-1)
HR: W. Contreras (1)
POG: Wilson Contreras (1-2, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB)

The 2016 Chicago Cubs completed their Field of Dreams run in decisive fashion, defeating the 1925 Philadelphia Athletics 8-2 in Game 7 at Wrigley Field to claim Series #183. Behind an explosive offensive display and a strong performance from Jake Arrieta, the Cubs secured their place in history with a resounding series-clinching win.Chicago wasted little time seizing control, plating four runs by the third inning, highlighted by Willson Contreras' two-run homer. Kris Bryant added two RBIs, while Ben Zobrist’s three-hit night kept the pressure on Philadelphia’s pitching staff. Arrieta battled through five innings, allowing two runs before turning things over to the bullpen, which shut the door over the final four frames."It’s an amazing feeling," said series MVP Dexter Fowler, who finished with a .375 average and three home runs. "We knew this series would be a grind, but we stuck together and got it done."

2016 Chicago Cubs Win Series 4 Games To 3

Series MVP:

(.375, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 6 R, 1 2B, .531 OBP, 1.323 OPS)