When the Cubs lost the first two games at home against the Dodgers I wasn’t especially surprised. For all of the talk about a new vibe at Wrigley this year, these were still the Cubs after all. They’d need to win at least one round before I started to truly believe.

I called my oldest friend in the world, Lizzie Plummer, whose father, rest his soul, was a long-suffering Cubbie fan. I had been thinking about him for weeks, knowing he would have been reserved about all the good cheer.

"You know what he would say?" Liz told me over the phone. "They’ve come further only to fall farther."

He would not have batted an eye at a first round sweep.  Still, my heart does go out to Cub Nation or whatever they are called.  This one is for you.

At the same time, I’m thrilled for Dodger fans. Yowza La-La Land, pinch yourself–youse one series away from the World Serious.