Cubs Take 1-0 Series Lead Over Los Angeles Dodgers in NLCS

CHICAGO, IL - The Chicago Cubs are one step closer to the ultimate prize. The Cubs defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers, 8-4 Saturday night at Wrigley Field to gain a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series.

Miguel Montero hit a two-out grand slam in the bottom of the eighth to break a 3-3 tie. Dexter Fowler followed with a solo shot to give the Cubs a five-run lead.

With the win, the Cubs are within three victories of reaching the World Series for the first time since 1945. They are seven wins away from winning the World Series for the first time since 1908.

Chicago Cubs 8, Los Angeles Dodgers 4
Cubs lead the series 1-0

Memorable Moment: Montero's grand slam in the bottom of the eighth.

More Memorable Moments: Javier Baez stole home in the second inning. Fowler provided a pair of defensive gems from the outfield in addition to his solo home run that followed Montero's big hit.

Moment to Forget: The Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez hit a two-out single that scored two runs in the eighth inning to tie the game.

Wins Needed to Break the Curse: 7

Next Game: Dodgers at Cubs, 7:08 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16

Around the Playoffs: Cleveland 2, Toronto 1 (Indians lead the series 2-0)

Historical Context: Chicago and Los Angeles meet in yet another conference finals-type playoff showdown. In 1985, the Chicago Bears beat the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game. In 2005, the Chicago White Sox beat the Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim in the American League Championship behind four consecutive complete games. The Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings met in the NHL Western Conference Finals in back-to-back years in 2013 and 2014. The Blackhawks won in 2013. The Kings in 2014.

The two cities have also met in a championship series twice. The Dodgers beat the White Sox in the 1959 World Series and the Chicago Bulls were winners over the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1991 NBA Finals.

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• Are Bob Newhart and Lance Briggs the Best Celebrity Cubs Fans?
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photo via Patch archive