3 reasons why the Cubs will win the NLDS

On a windy and cool Chicago night, the team from the North Side of Chicago belted six home runs to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in game three of the NLDS by a score of 8-6.

With a commanding 2-1 lead in the series, the Chicago Cubs need just one more victory to advance to the NLCS and face either the Los Angeles Dodgers or New York Mets.

Here are three reasons why the Cubs will win their first playoff series since 2003.

Depth

It’s no secret that manager Joe Maddon likes to use his bench late in games, whether it be a pinch hitter or defensive substitution. The Cubs have been shuffling players in and out of their starting lineup in the first three games of the NLDS, and they may have a permanent replacement at shortstop.

Rookie Addison Russell left the game in the fourth inning of Monday night’s game with an apparent hamstring injury while stretching out a triple. His replacement, Javier Baez, stepped right in and went 2-2 with a stolen base. Obviously Chicago would prefer that Russell can play in Game 4, but if he can’t, Baez has all the tools to hold down the middle infield.

Another rookie, Jorge Soler, was predicted as the odd man out when the Cubs were deciding the playoff roster. But Soler got his opportunity early in the series and found himself in the starting lineup in games two and three. He even made history by reaching base in his first eight playoff plate appearances.

While Kyle Schwarber is a threat at the plate, he is a liability in the outfield. However, Maddon can replace Schwarber late in games with Chris Denorfia — just another example of the depth of the Cubs, which can carry them to the NLCS.

Wrigley Field

Any team, in any pro sport, that has the chance to clinch a playoff series on their home field has a serious advantage over its opponents. However, the Cubs’ chances at clinching at home are better than good. Why? Well for starters, the Cubs have never clinched a playoffs series at Wrigley Field — the oldest field in the MLB. With just one more win,  Chicago can make history in their own stadium.

It’s bound to happen sometime, right?

Furthermore, Wrigley Field is small, in the sense that the fans are right on top of the game (just ask any Cubs fan how this affected their 2003 playoff run). Because of this, Wrigley Field is the loudest stadium in the league, and fans play a real factor in games.

Just about a mile off of Lake Michigan, Wrigley Field presents some unique playing conditions, as seen on Monday night with twirling winds. Teams hate playing there because any routine fly ball becomes a circus act trying to locate the ball, and then make the catch. The Cubs are use to this and use it to their advantage. Chicago knows that they have an advantage with their field and location and will look to capitalize on this Tuesday night.

Joe Maddon

Many baseball skeptics claim that a baseball manager is the most useless coach in all of sports, but all they have to do is look at what Joe Maddon has done with this Cubs team to think otherwise.

Maddon is known for being a players coach, and even having “pajama parties” on flights back from games.

But Maddon has contributed more than just his loose atmosphere. He is also known for his uncanny coaching technique. For example, Maddon has batted the pitcher eighth (not ninth like the traditional coaches) in every game this year and is known for making early defensive changes and moving players around at different positions.

All this was proved effective when his club won 97 regular season games, which was the most for the Cubs since 2008 — the last time they made the playoffs.

So, the combination of their depth, playing at Wrigley Field and having a fearless manager is exactly what the Cubs need to win the NLDS and advance to the NLCS

Maddon said it best on Monday night.

“To come full circle on this within a year is kind of amazing,” Maddon said, via CSN Chicago. “To be at this particular moment with all that’s at stake — this is what you work for, man.”