NLCS Game 1: Cubs win thriller on Miguel Montero's historic grand slam

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The Chicago Cubs won an absolute thriller in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-4 on Miguel Montero’s historic pinch-hit grand slam in the eighth inning. We say historic, because according to the Elias Sports Bureau Montero is the first player to ever hit a pinch-hit go ahead grand slam in a postseason game.
The relentless Cubs fought off a late rally from the Dodgers, as both teams continued to show the fight that helped them advance in the NLDS. In fact, the Dodgers could have folded several times, but only succumbed once Joe Blanton faltered and allowed five runs in the eighth inning. In the end, it was the Cubs deeper roster that made the difference.
If you only watched the first seven innings, the late drama is probably pretty shocking. The Cubs came out of the gate swinging, running, diving and making plays with a lot of sizzle and flair. It didn’t even look like they’d need that one big swing we’ve become accustomed to.*It was there though when they needed it, but perhaps the biggest takeaway is just how complete this Cubs team is. They can beat teams in every*way possible, under any circumstances. Whether it’s power, patience, pitching, defense or flat out hustle, the Cubs can do it all, and every last one of those characteristics was on display Saturday.
The*scariest part for the Dodgers is that it’s nearly impossible to cover all those bases. When you shut down one area, another will step up until the Cubs are clicking on all cylinders again.

Cubs catcher Miguel Montero watches his game-winning grand slam sail away in NLCS Game 1. (AP) • A managerial game of cat-and-mouse led to a fateful at-bat for Miguel Montero. He could not have delivered any bigger, launching an 0-2 grand slam against Joe Blanton that sent Wrigley Field into a frenzy. Montero is one of three Cubs’ catchers. That means he doesn’t play often, but he’s always ready. That readiness paid off in Game 1.
• After starring in the NLDS, Javier Baez*hustled his way into the history books by pulling off the Cubs first postseason steal of home plate since 1907. His frenetic energy was felt again throughout the entire game, as he contributed a pair of doubles and drove in another run. He’s giving an already dangerous Cubs lineup another dimension that threatens to make them unstoppable.
• As he’s done all season, Dexter Fowler jump started the Cubs offense in the first inning. Fowler started the game with a single and then immediately scored on Kris Bryant’s double off the wall. Beyond that, Fowler was exceptional in the field, robbing extra bases twice on diving plays in the alley. He then capped his big night and the Cubs eighth-inning rally with a home run.
• If the Dodgers found a way to win this game, Adrian Gonzalez was going to be a huge hero. His two-out, two-run single against Aroldis Chapman tied the game in the eighth inning. Unfortunately, it’ll just be a footnote now.

• Joe Blanton has handled the eighth inning many times for Dave Roberts this season. He couldn’t handle it on Saturday. The veteran reliever was tagged for five runs on two homers, including Montero’s slam and Fowler’s solo homer. A couple intentional walks were thrown in as well, but when the pitch needed to be made unfortunately Blanton couldn’t do it.
• Kenta Maeda avoided a disaster start, which didn’t seem likely early on. Unfortunately, he couldn’t give manager Dave Roberts the length he needed from his starter after taxing his bullpen in the NLDS. Maeda pitched four innings, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks. At least four, maybe five of his outs were pretty loud too, so it’s difficult to spin this as a decent outing.

The Dodgers scoring opportunities were limited early. Perhaps their best chance to truly change the game came in the second inning, when pitcher Kenta Maeda ripped a single that should have loaded the bases with two outs. Unfortunately, third-base coach Chris Woodward got a little too aggressive and waved the slow-footed Adrian Gonzalez home. Cubs left fielder Ben Zobrist fielded the ball, took his time and fired a strike to the plate, where Gonzalez was out by 10 feet.

• Dave Roberts and Joe Maddon gave us a great show in the later innings. Roberts has been under scrutiny a lot this season for his pitcher management, particularly in pulling guys on the verge of history. It was much different on Saturday, as Roberts was simply trying to navigate a tricky Cubs lineup while forcing Maddon’s hand to remove closer Aroldis Chapman. The result was two intentional walks that ultimately loaded the bases for Montero, and we all know how that played out.
The thought process was probably pretty sound. Unfortunately, Blanton’s pitch execution wasn’t, and the Dodgers paid for it.
• Joe Maddon’s decision to pull Jon Lester after six innings with only 77 pitches was questionable at the time, and ended up proving costly later. As he did in NLDS Game 3, Maddon also went to closer Aroldis Chapman in the eighth inning and that also backfired, as Gonzalez’s single tied the game. A win is a win, but Maddon’s decisions will end up under the microscope.

Welcome to an exclusive club, Miguel Montero.

Go-Ahead Postseason Grand Slams in 8th Inn or Later
E Martinez '95 ALDS G4
E Alfonzo '99 NLDS G1
N Cruz '11 ALCS G2
M Montero '16 NLCS G1
— James Smyth (@JamesSmyth621) October 16, 2016
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It’s on to Game 2, which comes our way Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1. The Dodgers will look to draw even in the series and they’ll go right back to*Clayton Kershaw (12-4, 1.69), who almost single-handedly saved their bacon in the NLDS.*The Cubs will counter with*Kyle Hendricks (16-8, 2.23), who may end up winning the Cy Young due to Kershaw’s missed time in the regular season.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
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