Postseason Hero: Javier Báez originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Postseason hero Javier Báez went from prospect to playoff stardom. In his first postseason start in Game 4 of the 2015 NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals, Báez hit a 3-run homer in the bottom of the second off Cardinals starter John Lackey. Báez's postseason magic gave the Cubs a 4-2 lead. The North Siders beat the Cardinals by a final score of 6-4 and would go on to the NLCS. The 2015 NLDS win was the Cubs first playoff series victory in over a decade.
During the 2016 MLB postseason, Báez was the breakout star. In Game 1 of the NLDS against the San Francisco Giants, the game was scoreless in the bottom of the eighth when "El Mago" hit a high fly ball to left off San Francisco starter Johnny Cueto that just made it into the basket. Baez’s solo homerun was the only run of the game. Named the co-MVP of the 2016 NLCS, Baez hit .318 with 5 RBIs against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Baez helped lead the Cubs to their first pennant in 71 years, and later, their first World Series in 108.
