Chicago Cubs

"I don't believe in damn curses. Wake up the damn Bambino and have me face him. Maybe I'll drill him in the ass." - Pedro Martinez, Boston Red Sox, 2001 

Nobody likes to lose, and getting swept, as the Chicago Cubs were by the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series, only makes losing sting that much more. While feelings of disappointment are to be expected, there shouldn't be a Cubs fan moping around the streets of Chicago.

Game 4 of the NLCS could be the last chance for the upstart Chicago Cubs and manager Joe Maddon.

But there is hope, at least for this game, and it has to do with the offense.

Wrigley Field was a haunted house for the Chicago Cubs in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series. Daniel Murphy of the New York Mets again played the ghoul. 

CHICAGO — A 17-year-old Kyle Schwarber stood straight across from the man-child who would eventually end his football career. Schwarber, who was recruited by a slew of Division I football programs, made the fruitful decision to pursue baseball. Still, it was Schwarber’s intent to end his football career of his own accord—presumably at the Ohio state high school football championships.

That would not happen.

The Chicago Cubs' official Twitter account doesn’t mess around.

During the team's Game 2 showdown with the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series on Sunday night, one fan took a shot in the dark and requested a Kyle Schwarber jersey:

Matt Harvey had made one start in the postseason in his short career in the majors, and that was earlier this season. Jon Lester had started 13 games and carried a 2.66 postseason ERA over his long tenure with the Red Sox, Athletics and Cubs.

Through their first five games, the Chicago Cubs made hitting in the postseason look easy. Maybe a little too easy.

As such, a reality check like the one the Cubs were dealt in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series was coming sooner or later. But given that it was the New York Mets who dealt it, the question now becomes whether the Cubs' bats will be able to recover.

The MLB Playoffs have reached the Championship Series and the matchups in the American and National Leagues have been set.

Before we delve into the top 10 players remaining, let's set the ground rules.

In a somewhat surprising move Thursday, the Chicago Cubs officially named Jon Lester their starter for Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, per MLB's official Twitter account. Cy Young candidate Jake Arrieta will start Game 2.