Cubs to host Dodgers in NLCS Game 1 at Wrigley Field
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Game 1 of the National League Championship Series is set. The Chicago Cubs will host the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field at 7 p.m. Saturday.
The first wave of fans who won the opportunity to win face-value tickets in the Cubs postseason ticket lottery were notified by email Wednesday.
There will be another lottery drawing if the Cubs make it to the World Series. Fans should make sure to sign up.
Tickets are still up for grabs. Outside of Wrigley Friday night, some fans camped out at the box office.
"We have been out here since yesterday, hoping to get tickets for tomorrow," said Mare Cruz.
Jerry Pritikin, a life-long Cubs fan known as the "Bleacher Preacher," will be able to afford to see the action in person thanks to a gift from Gilbert's Craft Sausages.
"This year, the Promised Land is in reach, I'm not only seeing it but I can touch it, I can feel it, I can hear it. And I want to be there, believe me, I want to be there," Pritikin said.
On StubHub the prices range from $166 to $10,000. Another option is the app GameTime, for fans who don't mind waiting until the last minute. Tickets remain on sale on the app up to 90 minutes after the first pitch.
Ticket holders are advised to take public transportation to Wrigley Field and to arrive early due to enhanced security measures.
Parking restrictions will go into effect beginning at noon Saturday and last through the weekend. Violators could have their cars towed and will be ticketed.
It has been 108 years since the Cubs won the World Series. Grant DePorter, president and managing partner of Harry Caray's Restaurant Group, may be the world's leading expert in Cubs numerology. He believes this is the year the Cubs will go all the way - because of the number 108. He even wrote a book on the subject.
"John Lester, (Saturday's) starting pitcher, was born in Tacoma, Washington, the 108th largest city in America. I started looking further and I was looking at big projects in the city of Chicago. They're all assigned a planned development number. (There are) 1,336 unique planned development numbers in Chicago. Number 108 belongs to Wrigley Field," DePorter said.
The war of words started between fans of the Cubs and the LA Dodgers ahead of Saturday's game.
"They are all so trendy! They think they are so trendy? They are gonna be coming out here to Chicago," said Cubs fan Evan Vladem. "I mean LA is cool, but they can't walk into Wrigley and beat the Cubs.
On Twitter, both teams poked fun at each other, with the Dodgers tweeting, "Let's go to Chicago! #LALovesOctober."
The Cubs quickly responded with a gif featuring Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant giving them a "we are looking at you" stare down.
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck and Chicago Police Department Supt. Eddie Johnson made a friendly wager ahead of the series. If the Dodgers win, Supt. Johnson will send Al's Italian Beef sandwiches to the LAPD; if the Cubs win, Chief Beck will send hot pastrami sandwiches from Langer's Delicatessen Restaurant to the CPD.
"I am so excited. I feel like it's been a long time coming so, it's just the vibe around here is great. It's amazing," said Briana Wagner.
The sidewalk around Wrigley Field were washed down and spruced up in time for Game 1 of the National League Championship Series.
Los Angeles and Dodgers flags fly next to the Cubs and Chicago banners on the marquee.
BAEZ PICKS UP SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
His dynamic defense, the clutch hits and his enthusiasm have everyone talking about Javy Baez. The Cubs' breakout postseason star makes it look so easy.
"I just go out there and have fun and enjoy the game. I'm young and I like to have fun out there, I play like a little kid," Baez said.
To long-suffering Cubs fans 23-year-old Baez is a kid, but his life experiences hardly make him young. Baez lost his father when he was 12 and last year his sister Noely died of spina bifida.
"One of my biggest dreams was letting my sister see me play baseball in the highest level. She finally did. She knows I will always do this for her and my dad," he said.
Family is what drives Baez. Friday, his mother and brother helped him accept a National Hispanic Heritage Month Sportsman of the Year award from Secretary of State Jesse White.
Born in Puerto Rico, the Baez family emigrated to the mainland U.S. to give Javy and his siblings a better life. His mother said they were poor, but she and her husband did everything they could to support their children, and advised other parents to do the same.
"She has been very big for me and my brother, and my whole family," Baez said.
And Baez said there's nothing better than living his dream with his family, a dream that will hopefully include making history.
"You've just got to play the game. If we make it, we do. If not, we come next year again," he said.
