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Chicago Cubs

Youngsters Addison Russell, Javier Baez have Cubs on brink of World Series

Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY Sports
Addison Russell celebrates with Javier Baez after hitting a two-run homer in the sixth inning.

Wisely, the Cubs opted to keep the other two.

Shortstop Addison Russell and Javier Baez, now a super utilityman who has played mostly second base in the postseason, again had prominent roles as the Cubs closed to within a victory of the World Series by besting the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-4 Thursday in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series.

Chants of “Ja-vy! Ja-vy!’’ cascaded down Dodger Stadium – aka Wrigley Field at Chavez Ravine – after Baez cleared the bases with a double to highlight a five-run eighth that broke the game open.

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“It was impossible not to hear it, with all the Chicago fans we had out there,’’ said Baez, who burst into sudden stardom in the Division Series. “I think with what I’ve done this postseason I’ve earned my spot, my playing time. That’s clear to them, and they’re supporting me.’’

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Two innings earlier, Russell had clouted a two-run homer for the second game in a row, this one snapping a 1-1 sixth-inning tie and giving the game – and the NLCS – an air of finality.

Though the Dodgers will be sending out Clayton Kershaw to the mound when the series resumes Saturday in Chicago, the Cubs will have two chances at home to earn passage to their first World Series since 1945.

The rest of the NL is on notice that this one figures to be the first of a caravan of Cubs trips deep into October. Their infield is loaded, with likely league MVP Kris Bryant at third, Anthony Rizzo at first and the keystone combo of Russell, 22, and Baez, 23. Plus, the pipeline continues to flow with emerging young players like catcher Willson Contreras and outfielder Albert Almora Jr.

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As opposed to Starlin Castro, who was traded to the New York Yankees in December, Russell and Baez are not going anywhere for quite a while.

“They continue to grow,’’ veteran catcher David Ross said. “I’ve watched the growth process for two years now. Guys finding a way to put the bat on the ball, finding a way to take the extra base, finding a way to make a play in a big moment. They don’t seem to get swallowed up by the big moment. They thrive in it, and you’re seeing that now.’’

While staff ace Jon Lester played the biggest role in bringing Chicago to the verge of the Fall Classic, allowing five hits and a run in seven innings, Russell and Baez had their hands all over Thursday’s win. They each scored twice and combined to drive in five runs.

Russell had slumped so badly over the first seven games of the playoffs, going 1-for-24, there were clamors for his benching even though he’s coming off an All-Star season in which he hit 21 homers and drove in 95 runs.

He finally snapped out of it with a two-run homer that capped a four-run fourth in Wednesday’s Game 4, then added two more hits that night. He had another two Thursday, and his four RBI are tied for the second-highest total in the series behind Baez’s five.

“Rounding the bases, it was pretty exciting,’’ Russell said of his animated reaction to the home run. “Pumped up. Not only for myself but for the team and that little cushion that Jonny had to go forward from that. It felt really good.’’

Baez has been feeling good at the plate all October, and his third hit of the game not only boosted his playoff average to .371 but increased Chicago’s lead to 8-2 in the eighth, sending much of the capacity crowd of 54,449 toward the exits.

Just as remarkable as the way he has been swinging the bat was a play he made in the seventh, when the Dodgers were trying to cut into a 3-1 deficit.

Leading off the inning, Adrian Gonzalez tried to take advantage of the shift by bunting toward the spot where the second baseman normally would be. Stationed in short right field, Baez sprinted in, barehanded the ball and whipped a strong throw to first to nab Gonzalez, who was initially ruled safe. The call was reversed after replay review.

“I didn’t think I’d get to it because I was running at top speed and didn’t figure I’d be able to grab it with my bare hand,’’ said Baez, whom some regard as the Cubs’ best defender at second, shortstop and third. “But I was able to pick it up and get him at the last second.’’

Center fielder Dexter Fowler, with a clear view of the play, had plenty of faith.

“Any ball that’s hit to Javier Baez, there’s a chance that he makes the play,’’ Fowler said. “If it’s around him, he’s probably going to make the play.’’

Much to the Cubs’ delight.

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