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CHICAGO (WLS) — This is it: The Chicago Cubs either beat the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday and continue on in the National League Division Series, or call it a season.
But loyal Cubs fans say Wrigley Field will work its October magic.
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“Always optimistic, always love the Cubs, we saw it happen in ’16,” Cubs fan and Wrigleyville resident Andrew Woodruff said.
Woodruff, his son, Nico, and dog, Ivy, were out on a morning walk around the ballpark Wednesday morning with spirits high.
“You have the fans; you have the neighborhood. It’s going to be electric, already is electric. There’s no better home field advantage in baseball,” Woodruff said.
The Brewers have a two-game lead heading into game three.
They just have to win Wednesday to sweep the Cubs and continue on to the National League Championship Series.
But the first two games were played at the Brewers’ home turf in Milwaukee.
Cubs Manager Craig Counsell is hopeful the “friendly confines” will do their thing.
“Look, Wrigley is a special place. I think your moments here are remembered,” Counsell said.
“Every single day of playoffs, people have just been saying ‘Go Cubs,’ and are happy and high-fiving each other,” Cubs fan Mary Claire Sabalaskey said.
Sabalasky and her golden retriever, Addie, were also on an early morning stroll outside Wrigley, mentally preparing for whatever the baseball gods have in store for the Cubs.
“I think they are totally going to win today. It is, the fans have their back. They are going to be excited to come home, and I think they are going to win by a lot,” Sabalaskey said.
A huge crowd gathered ahead of the game for Naperville native and Cubs fan DJ John Summit.
He was sponsored by American Airlines, which hopes to fly Cubs fans to the next round of the playoffs.
“We’re from central Illinois, and we drove all the way here to see a win. And we’re not leaving here disappointed,” Cubs fan Yvette Earnest said.
“It’s a home game. Everyone’s showing up for a win. I think they’ll do it,” Cubs fan Drake Hunter said.
It’s a huge game for fans young and old. Lil Janes, 85, has experienced the agony of the collapse of ’69 and the ecstasy of the 2016 World Series. She’s feeling good Wednesday.
“We’re gonna win, absolutely gonna win,” Janes said.
It’s a beautiful day for baseball and a great day for lifelong family memories for Blake and Rowan Edwards.
“Both out of work early, he got out of school. And we’re here to watch the Cubs win today,” Blake Edwards said.
“What’s gonna happen today? Cubs are gonna win. Can they still pull off the whole series? Yeah,” Rowan Edwards said.
If the Cubs walk away with a W, the next game is set for Thursday night in Chicago.
Game five would be back in Milwaukee Saturday.
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