Los Angeles Dodgers: Worst moments of the 30-year drought
By Jamaal Artis
![LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 25: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws his glove after he was unable to catch a ground rule double hit by Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros (not pictured) during the eighth inning in game two of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 25: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws his glove after he was unable to catch a ground rule double hit by Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros (not pictured) during the eighth inning in game two of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/0917348f143802ef423d861de7fa7f3a281d30b38df69d68050e904da14f0d59.jpg)
2016 NLCS (IBB…Gone)
The Dodgers were in the NLCS for the first time in three years, this time they were facing the Chicago Cubs. As much as the Dodgers had a long drought getting to a World Series (28 years), the Cubs had an even longer time.
The Cubs last World Series was a month after the end of World War II, 2016 had been a dream season for them as they won 103 games. On paper, they were heavy favorites to dispatch the Dodgers.
Game one went according to script as the Cubs took a 3-1 lead into the eighth inning, then the Dodgers rallied tying the game against the Cubs hard throwing closer Arnoldis Chapman. It seemed fortune was smiling on the Dodgers and Cubs fans were looking straight into their 108 World Series curse.
In the bottom of the inning, Dodgers set up man Joe Blanton who had not given up a run in the playoffs so far started off by giving up a leadoff double. Blanton sandwiched outs arround intentional walks, bringing up back up catcher Miguel Montero.
This move was made to get Chapman out of the game. Montero seemed to pose a small challenge for Blanton.
A lifetime .200 hitter in the postseason, Montero had never hit a home run in the playoffs. Blanton quickly got an 0-2 count on Montero. On the third pitch, Montero sent a ball sailing into the right field stands sending the Cubs fans into a frenzy.
The Dodgers would go into the ninth down 8-3 and score a run before losing the game. The Dodgers would bounce back from the game one setback to take a 2-1 series lead before losing in six.
The Dodgers were one strike away from getting out of the jam and would have won the game with their run in the ninth. Montero never hit another postseason home run. The Dodgers lost their team record fourth NLCS in a row.