North: Arrieta can get it done for Chicago Cubs
The Cubs finally showed up for Game 5 of the World Series at Wrigley Field on Sunday against the Cleveland Indians, who now lead the series 3 games to 2.
The stars — Jon Lester, Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant — came through, and Jason Heyward contributed, so things are looking up for Game 6 as the series moves to Cleveland tonight.
Josh Tomlin, a heck of a pitcher that Cubs fans were introduced to last Friday, will take the mound against Jake Arrieta, who is the perfect guy for this big game.
Winning that final home game (3-2) after losing the first two, I believe, helped to relax the players and they should be swinging loose.
If the Cubs don't close this deal (and they CAN do it), we will hear about what a great year it was.
I won't jump on that train. They were the best team in baseball this season, and I'll consider it a fun year.
We will also hear that they will be back next year. Yeah, just like we thought the 1985 Bears and the 2005 White Sox would repeat. They were both one-hit wonders, but they did close the deal to win a championship.
The Cubs remind me of the Blackhawks, who have won three Stanley Cup championships in six years. But let's remember, it's baseball and the best teams don't always win.
I have to admit I thought Joe Maddon made a mistake by pulling Lester in the sixth inning in Game 5. I thought he had another inning in him.
Gambler Joe, however, later went with fireball reliever Aroldis Chapman in the seventh with only one out and Joe was right. He rode Chapman for the win.
If the Cubs are in the same spot again in either of the remaining games, look for Maddon to do the same thing again.
As for Tomlin, the Cubs will have to lay off pitches out of the zone. There is only one problem with curve balls, sliders and breaking balls, they look good! The Cubs fell for those pitches in that first game at Wrigley, losing 1-0.
Tomlin has a decent fastball too. The Cubs can catch up to it, but it's about being down in the count 1-2 or 0-2 because then that fastball becomes a decoy. That next pitch will be a breaking ball and the Cubs should remember that.
If Tomlin doesn't have good command of his breaking ball, the Cubs will go to Game 7. If he does have it, the task will be tough.
In Game 5, Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer didn't have the breaking ball that we've seen from Corey Kluber or Tomlin. Kluber will pitch in Game 7 if necessary.
The Cubs have a difficult road ahead of them, but don't assume if the Cubs can't get it done they will be back next season.
There are no guarantees. Grab it now! Go Cubs!
Program note: I will be co-hosting with Mancow today from 6-9:30 a.m. on the Loop 97.9-FM.
• Follow Mike North on Twitter @north2north. His column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.