The last decade was full of thrilling memories for the Chicago Cubs franchise. They captured their first World Series in over a century and changed the dynamic in the NL Central. With the 2020 season on hold, let’s relive the Cubs’ best moments from the 2010s.
1. Historic Game 7 – November 2nd, 2016
Of course, this list has to begin with one of the best Game 7s ever — in any sport. Chicago hadn’t won it all since 1908. As for the Cleveland Indians, their franchise hasn’t won since 1948. Both teams were desperate to finally bring a title back to their respective cities after the longest droughts in league history. In the end, it was the Chicago Cubs who finally broke their 108-year curse.
The game had it all: a back and forth atmosphere, clutch hitting, extra innings, and even a rain delay. It will be an event that every MLB fan remembers for a very long time. It is not only the best moment for the Chicago Cubs in the last decade but quite possibly the best moment in team history.
2. NL Pennant Game – October 22nd, 2016
You can’t mention the World Series win without acknowledging how they got there. Chicago dominated the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the 2016 NLCS. Wrigley Field was full of emotional fans, and the memorable “It’s happening” signs throughout the stands. There was one out and a runner on first.
With everyone on their feet, Chicago Cubs’ closer Aroldis Chapman forced Yasiel Puig to ground into a double play on the first pitch of his at-bat. They clinched the NL Pennant for the first time since 1945, in front of some of their most loyal fans in the world, with a final score of 5-0.
3. NLDS Game 4 – October 11th, 2016
Chicago was three outs away from being forced into a series-deciding Game 5, then magic happened. On the road, in the top of the ninth, down by three, they rallied against the San Francisco Giants to take the lead — against all odds.
It became a duel between the managers, when the Giants expended five different bullpen pitchers, trying to desperately close the game. With several good at-bats against unfavorable pitching match-ups, the Chicago Cubs stunned San Francisco. They won the game and the series. It wasn’t the first and wouldn’t be the last time this roster came back from seemingly impossible circumstances.
4. NL Wildcard Game – October 7th, 2015
In this match-up, the Cubs went on the road to face their divisional foe, Pittsburgh Pirates. At the time it was their first playoff appearance since 2008. Finally, the fan-base had extreme hope for the future. This game was seen as a transition out of rebuilding and into contention.
Jake Arrieta out-dueled Pittsburgh’s young ace, Gerrit Cole. Kyle Schwarber crushed a ball out of PNC Park and into the Allegheny River. He finished with three RBI, as the Cubs shut out the Pirates. This win catapulted Chicago back into relevance.
5. NLDS Game 4 – October 13th, 2015
I mentioned above that the Cubs changed the dynamic within the NL Central, this game had a lot to do with that. They found themselves going up against their biggest rival: the St. Louis Cardinals. With the help of Javier Baez, the Cubs went up early; after he hit a three-run homer deep to right.
The resilient Cardinals battled back in the sixth inning to tie the game at four. When, Jorge Soler managed to get them out of a jam, after fielding a base-hit and throwing a dart to Miguel Montero, catching a runner at home plate. It took a combined pitching performance, and a pair of solo shots from Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber, to put the ‘Cubbies’ up for good.
6. World Series Game 6 – November 1st, 2016
Everyone remembers the classic game following it, but how about this incredible all-around performance to push the series to a seventh game. Arrieta pitched a quality outing, but the Cubs’ batters stole the show.
The NL MVP: Kris Bryant had a four-hit night, while Rizzo was right behind with three of his own. However, Addison Russell stole the show with a game-winning grand slam in the third inning. Russell’s homer put them up 7-0 early and they never looked back. Their stellar hitting performances led to a blow out victory on the road in Cleveland.
7. Arrieta’s 1st No-Hitter – August 30th, 2015
The first regular-season moment is worthy of a spot on this list. Around this time in 2015, Arrieta became a star for the Cubs and was a vital part of their success. His first no-hitter was even more special because it happened on national television, against the eventual NL West champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
By the end of the game, he had Dodger fans on their feet cheering in excitement. He finished with 12 Ks and only one walk on 116 pitches. That same season, Jake Arrieta ended up earning NL Cy Young award honors. Looking back at games like these, they show how much of a force he was on the mound for Chicago.
8. NLCS Game 1 – October 15th, 2016
The Cubs had a perfect start to this series in the ‘Friendly Confines.’ Bryant got the ball rolling with an early double, and Baez followed that up with one of his own. He then showed off his fantastic base-running skills by stealing home and padding the Cubs’ lead. Center fielder, Dexter Fowler, made two unbelievable diving catches that tend to go unnoticed as well. A big reason why is how the game finished.
The Dodgers tied the game in the eighth, only to let the Cubs take the lead right back. Los Angeles decided to walk a batter and load the bases. Miguel Montero stepped in to pinch-hit and made them pay, with a no-doubt grand slam. The momentum from this electric win might’ve played a big role in how the series played out.
9 – Bote’s Grand Slam Walk-Off – August 12th, 2018
In a Sunday Night Baseball game, the Washington Nationals looked like they were gonna leave Wrigley with a shut out victory. Max Scherzer pitched a flawless seven innings. The Cubs were scoreless heading into the ninth. Unfortunately for the Nats, Ryan Madson struggled to close the game.
Madson gave up an infield single and hit two other batters. The bases were loaded for David Bote with two outs. Bote was facing his final strike when he connected with a ball that was down and in. He clobbered the ball to deep center and won the game with a walk-off slam — bat flip and all.
10. Comeback in Awful Weather Conditions – April 14th, 2018
In a final moment from the last decade to make the list, the Cubs came back from a 10-2 deficit against the Atlanta Braves. The playing conditions were awful and the game seemed chalked from the start, but the mood all changed for Chicago with one inning.
In the bottom of the eight. they managed to put up nine runs. By the time the ninth came around, they were up 14-10. For the few fans that braved the weather, they witnessed an instant classic. In hindsight, the game probably should have been postponed, but then we wouldn’t have seen the wild finish that ensued.
Honorable Mentions
Arrieta’s second career no-hitter – April 21st, 2016
Baez MLB Debut (Go-Ahead Homer) – August 5th, 2014
Hendrick’s 81-pitch shut out vs Cardinals – May 3rd, 2019
Contreras MLB Debut (First Pitch Homer) -June 19th, 2016
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