For the first time in 71 years, Cubs fans have a good reason to watch the World Series.
With a 5-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night, the Cubs punched their first ticket to the Fall Classic since 1945. They'll face the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series.
Of course, Chicago fans shouldn't get too excited just yet.
The Cubs haven't won a World Series since 1908, the longest championship drought in North American professional sports. They've supposedly been cursed since 1945, which created a franchise steeped in suffering and broken by bad luck.
Still, this World Series appearance hardly feels surprising considering how dominant a team Chicago has become.
The Cubs won 103 games during the regular season -- the most of any team in baseball. They were touted as early favorites to win the World Series by a long shot, earning 4-1 odds from Vegas at the beginning of the year.
Chicago's win over Los Angeles on Saturday proved the team's legitimacy.
The Cubs' offense knocked around Clayton Kershaw -- arguably the best pitcher in baseball -- tagging him for five runs and two home runs in the first five innings of Saturday night's game.
In other words, this team is legit.
With a core of young superstars complimented by a handful of established veterans, the Cubs have gone from baseball's loveable losers to the league's powerhouse.
A ticket to the World Series is cathartic for Chicago, but the curse isn't broken yet. The city won't exhale until that championship trophy comes to Wrigley Field.
There's still some work to be done.
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