PRELIMINARY ROUND
Series #167
1996 Chicago Cubs (76-86) vs 1956 Chicago Cubs (60-94)
The household names of Sammy Sosa, Mark Grace, and Ryne Sandberg did not translate to a winning season in Chicago in 1996 as manager Jim Riggleman had his real issues with the pitching staff. Jaime Navarro won 13 games and Steve Trachsel lead the team in ERA with 3.03 but that is where the floor falls off for the Chicago arms. Frank Castillo and Jim Bullinger were hit hard and there was little to no support behind them. Eccentric Turk Wendell became the closer with 18 saves and Terry Adams did well in setup but the Cubs pen was surely overworked. Sosa was coming into his own in a big way with 40 home runs and 100 RBI while stealing 18 bases. Grace hit .331 in one of his best seasons with an OPS of .851 while Sandberg drove in 92 runs and scored 85. Luis Gonzalez and Brian McRae were nice pieces in the outfield while the Cubs defense remained quite good. Still if you cant get anyone out, you can win.
The 1956 Cubs lost 90 games and were dead last in the National League lead by Stan Hack. Walt Moryn and a 37 year old Monte Irwin made a nice outfield combination while the center of attention was with 25 year old go lucky shortstop Ernie Banks. Ernie hit 28 home runs and had a 136 OPS+ staying among the very best players in the league. The remainder of the Chicago lineup was quite weak and may not be able to take advantage of their opponents weakness. Bob Rush is a good top of the line pitcher with a 120 ERA+ and Sam Jones pitched two shutouts as a decent #2. This Cubs staff had almost no support however and the likes of Warren Hacker went 3-13 while the pen was very hit or miss. Moe Drabowsky at 20 years old pitched 3 complete games in seven starts and may get a chance in the series. The battle will commence between two not very good Cubs teams.
Game 1 At Wrigley Field
Clear 61
1956 Cubs.....................3
1996 Cubs.....................4
WP: J. Navarro (1-0) LP: M. Drabowsky (0-1) S: B. Patterson (1)
HR: J. Hernandez (1)
POG: Jose Hernandez
1996 Cubs Lead Series 1-0
Jose Hernandez went 2-3 with a home run and three RBI to carry the 1996 Cubs to a tight win in the opening game. Jaimie Navarro was in trouble in and out of his seven innings of work but held the lead and allowed his bullpen to carry the win home. The 1956 Cubs stranded nine runners surprise starter Moe Drabowsky didn't have his best stuff walking five. Ernie Banks flied out deep to right with a man on to end the game.
Game 2 At Wrigley Field
Rain 47
1956 Cubs.....................1
1996 Cubs.....................3
WP: F. Castillo (1-0) LP: S. Jones (0-1) S: B. Patterson (2)
HR: None
POG: Frank Castillo
1996 Cubs Lead Series 2-0
Four errors but the 1956 Cubs wasted a good outing from Sam Jones and allowed the 1996 Cubs to get just enough to win their second game. Frank Castillo had a great mix of pitches to get the win going 8 innings and striking out 8. The visiting Cubs did have the tying runs on base in the ninth but Bob Patterson closed the door. Brian McRae had 2 RBI in the win.
At Wrigley Field
Rain 55 (Delay 45 min)
1996 Cubs..................3
1956 Cubs..................4 (12 inn)
WP: W. Hacker (1-0) LP: K. Bottenfield (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Bob Rush
1996 Cubs Lead Series 2-1
Ernie Banks ripped a walk off double in the 14th inning to get the 1956 Cubs on the board in this series. Gene Baker had tripled in two runs earlier as the home team would not quit behind starter Bob Rush and some fine bullpen work. Jim Bullinger struck out 8 for the 1996 club in the loss but Kent Bottenfield could not hold the tie in extras and takes the loss.
Game 4 At Wrigley Field
Clear 60
1996 Cubs....................7
1956 Cubs....................2
WP: K. Foster (1-0) LP: D. Kaiser (0-1)
HR: W. Moryn (1)
POG: Kevin Foster
1996 Cubs Lead Series 3-1
More struggles for the 1956 Cubs at the dish as this time unheralded Kevin Foster pitches into the 9th inning for the win walking none and allowing just 2 earned runs. The 1996 offense was lead by Mark Grace who went 4-5 and Ryne Sandberg who went 3-4 with 2 RBI. Foster added an RBI triple with the bat in the lopsided win.
Game 5 At Wrigley Field
Clear 44
1996 Cubs....................3
1956 Cubs....................2
WP: J. Bavarro (2-0) LP: M. Drabowsky (0-2) S: B. Patterson (3)
HR: L. Gomez (1)
POG: Jamie Navarro
The series ends in five after a tight game that saw only nine hits combined and a good pitchers duel. Jamie Navarro goes seven and strikes out six before leaving with the lead and depending on a good Cubs pen to bring it home. Leo Gomez hit a solo home run in the 6th that would prove to be the difference Sammy Sosa drove in his first and only run in the five games but he wasnt needed as the 1996 Cubs pitching were just too good to be topped.
1996 Chicago Cubs Win Series 4 Games To 1
Series MVP:
Jamie Navarro
(2-0, 3.21 ERA, 11 K, 3 BB, 1.14 WHIP, 7.1 K/9)