One Win Away: 8-4 Victory Puts Cubs On The Verge Of World Series
Chicago Cubs fans celebrate in Dodger Stadium after Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. The Cubs won 8-4 to take a 3-2 lead in the series. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Chicago Cubs fans celebrate in Dodger Stadium after Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. The Cubs won 8-4 to take a 3-2 lead in the series. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)]()
Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon celebrates with Kris Bryant after Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. The Cubs won 8-4 to take a 3-2 lead in the series. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
![Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon celebrates with Kris Bryant after Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. The Cubs won 8-4 to take a 3-2 lead in the series. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)]()
Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez hits a two-run scoring double during the eighth inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
![Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez hits a two-run scoring double during the eighth inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell celebrates his two-run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Blanton during the sixth inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell celebrates his two-run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Blanton during the sixth inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)]()
Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez runs to second for a two-run scoring double during the eighth inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez runs to second for a two-run scoring double during the eighth inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)]()
Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell is congratulated after scoring during the eighth inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
![Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell is congratulated after scoring during the eighth inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)]()
Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell hits a two-run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Blanton during the sixth inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell hits a two-run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Blanton during the sixth inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)]()
The Chicago Cubs celebrate after Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. The Cubs won 8-4 to take a 3-2 lead in the series. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
![The Chicago Cubs celebrate after Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. The Cubs won 8-4 to take a 3-2 lead in the series. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)]()
A Los Angeles Dodgers fan watches during the ninth inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Chicago Cubs Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
![A Los Angeles Dodgers fan watches during the ninth inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Chicago Cubs Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)]()
Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez makes a play on a bunt by Los Angeles Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez during the seventh inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
![Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez makes a play on a bunt by Los Angeles Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez during the seventh inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester reacts after getting out of the seventh inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
![Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester reacts after getting out of the seventh inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell is congratulated after scoring during the eighth inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
![Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell is congratulated after scoring during the eighth inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman throws during the ninth inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
![Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman throws during the ninth inning of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]()
So close. The Cubs are now so very close.
Thanks to an excellent start from ace Jon Lester and another highlight-reel performance from Javier Baez, the Cubs are—dare we speak it?—one flying of the W flag away from the team's first World Series appearance since 1945. The Cubs handled the Dodgers, 8-4, to take a 3-2 lead in the NLCS.
There was never much worry on Thursday night as Lester was strong throughout seven innings, striking out six Dodgers batters, walking one and surrendering only one earned run on hits hits.
Baez—so renowned for his gaudy defensive glove work—led the way at the bat, delivering three hits, including a memorable three-run double in the Cubs' explosive eighth inning. Dexter Fowler, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell each delivered two hits as the Cubs continued to throw dirt on the no-offense narrative.
It's still too early to fully celebrate (you probably don't need reminding of this) but with Cubs hitters and pitchers alike performing like this, there's plenty of reason to feel good.
Even Nick Offerman got in on the celebrating, tweeting this photo of himself, shirtless, holding a W flag. Offerman will be in Chicago this weekend to promote his new book.
