It's back to the basics for these Cubs and Sox fans

Armed with a Little League foundation of fundamentals, a good attitude and giving it your all, Joey Dreiling and Kyle McGee watch the Cubs and Sox battle through these tough postseason games with trepidation and hope.

No matter that the 9-year-old buddies root for different Chicago teams. They love baseball and they believe their team can win it all, if only they stick to the basics of solid play.

The fourth-graders at May Whitney Elementary School in Lake Zurich revel in their own rivalry, trading jovial jabs throughout their school days.

Thinking it's time for a view from Little Leaguers, the Daily Herald asked Joey and Kyle a few questions about baseball and their teams.

Q. Who is going to win the World Series?

Joey. The Cubs.

Kyle. The Sox.

Q. How long have you been a fan?

Joey. Since I was born.

Kyle. About five years.

Q. Do you want the Cubs and Sox to play each other in the World Series?

Joey. Yes, because it will be a big rivalry.

Kyle. Yes, because it would be really fun to watch. And it would be fun to brag to Joey that the Sox would win.

Q. Who is your favorite player?

Joey. Soriano. I think he's the best player on the Cubs.

Kyle. Probably Jim Thome. No it's Jermaine Dye. He's a really good defensive and offensive player.

Q. When there's a late game, how long do your parents let you stay up?

Joey. It depends if I had football practice. I can stay up until 8:30 if I didn't have football and 9:30 if I did.

Kyle. About 10 o'clock.

Q. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Joey. A professional baseball player. It can't be for a Cubs rival, like the Brewers or the Cardinals.

Kyle. I want to be a baseball player, as long as it's not on the Cubs.

Q. Does it bother you that your best friend is for the other team? What does he do to bother you?

Joey. No. Sometimes he screams, "boo Cubs boo."

Kyle. No. I like to argue with Joey.

Q. What's your favorite position to play?

Joey. Catcher.

Kyle. Center field.

Q. How do you feel about the series so far?

Joey. Not so good.

Kyle. I feel good about it.

Q. Does your team still have a chance? What do they need to win?

Joey. Yes. They need good pitching and no errors.

Kyle. Yes. I think they need better pitching and batting.

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