The Chicago Cubs went 108 years between World Series titles, and beginning Monday, they’ll celebrate their 2016 season across two days. And the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were eliminated from the National League Championship Series by the Cubs, will have an up-close look.
So too will a national audience, at least for Monday’s banner-raising ceremony at Wrigley Field. ESPN has exclusive rights to the series opener, and their coverage begins at 4 p.m. PT with ‘Baseball Tonight.’
The environment figures to be raucous. The Cubs opened the season on a seven-game road trip; one of their contests was postponed due to weather.
On the heels of playing their first home game of the season, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he anticipates the setting at Wrigley Field to mirror that of a playoff game, per Carrie Muskat of MLB.com:
#Cubs Maddon on Monday's home opener: "It'll be 'playoff-esque'"
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) April 9, 2017
After raising the banner at Wrigley Field on Monday, the Cubs will enjoy an off day, then receive their 2016 World Series rings prior to Wednesday’s game. The series concludes with a matinee matchup on Thursday.
Multiple Dodgers players have already said they will look to avoid being in the dugout during the pregame festivities.
