3 Logical Reasons For Red Sox Fans To Root For Cubs - Blue Jays In The World Series
BOSTON (CBS) -- What do you usually do when the Red Sox miss the playoffs?
Do you stubbornly abstain from viewing postseason action as you lament a lost season and ruminate on what went wrong? Do you stay glued to every pitch for the sheer entertainment value? Do you hate-watch rivals play October baseball as you project your Sox-fueled jealousy onto Joe Maddon's stupid face?
Red Sox fans should deal with the team's second straight season missing the playoffs by taking the third option. While there's reason for optimism on Yawkey Way - new President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski has a proven track record of building contenders and will add quality pitching to the staff, and the young, talented offense (led by potential batting champion Xander Bogaerts) is on the rise - but the best way to accelerate the rebuilding process is to see your enemies succeed.
You'll have to sweat two AL East foes this season, as the Blue Jays clinched their first AL East title since 1993 and the Yankees have all-but-locked up the top Wild Card spot. Forget rooting for the Evil Empire, that's blasphemy - but you should root for the Jays to make the World Series, for reasons I will explain.
In the National League, there's former Red Sox curse-bros the Chicago Cubs, who are now in year 107 without a World Series crown. They haven't even played in the World Series since 1945, but now things are looking up - thanks to some former Red Sox talent on and off the field.
There are a few reasons that you should root for the Cubs and Blue Jays to meet in the World Series, but let's start with the big one...
It will force the Red Sox front office into action
Theo Epstein and Jon Lester could make the Red Sox pay for letting them both go. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
Of course, nothing would do this more than the Evil Empire in the Bronx winning it all. But if Toronto wins the Fall Classic and establishes itself as the real team to beat for the Red Sox, it will drive John Henry and Tom Werner to slam fists, throw chairs, and invade radio stations until Dombrowski fields them a legitimate contender.
As for the Cubs...Can you imagine Henry's face if Theo Epstein raises a World Series trophy with the Cubs, becoming the fearless savior of Chicago who built his way to the franchise's first championship in over a century, while dust collects at a flaccid Fenway Park? And does it with Maddon, everyone's favorite vacuum-mouthed, wine-sniffing narcissist in hipster glasses, as his manager?
Fortunately, the Red Sox have a talented up-and-coming lineup and a revamped baseball ops department that could launch the Red Sox back into contention as early as next season. And nothing would spark that more than one of their rivals taking a champagne shower in November.
A potent mix of veterans and exciting young talent
The Cubs have one of baseball's brightest young lineups, led by slugger Kris Bryant. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Epstein and Maddon winning with the Cubs is one thing. What if Jon Lester delivers yet another dominating playoff campaign and hoists the trophy in a different uniform? It would instantly justify every penny of his 6-year, $155 million contract, which the Red Sox were unwilling to give him. Did I mention the Sox essentially traded Lester for Rick Porcello? And not to mention, there's former Oriole Jake Arrieta - who might be the NL Cy Young winner and was available for the Sox in the offseason, before signing a one-year deal with the Cubs.
The Cubs also boast some of the brightest young stars in the game, led by top prospect Kris Bryant who is a shoo-in for NL Rookie of the Year and at 23 is already a force in the middle of their lineup. Addison Russell is one of many great up-and-coming shortstops around baseball, and Anthony Rizzo (whom the Sox traded for Adrian Gonzalez) has established himself as one of the best all-around first basemen in the game.
The Blue Jays, meanwhile, boast baseball's most *ahem* powerful lineup, led by MVP candidate Josh Donaldson's career year. They still have thumpers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, and added superstar shortstop Troy Tulowitzki via trade.
Speaking of deadline acquisitions, the Jays also added ace David Price - who hasn't missed a beat in his return to the AL East (9-1 with a 2.30 ERA in 11 starts). If Price can pitch to his potential deep into October, the Jays should be the favorite to come out of the AL.
HISTORY!
The Cubs could be a month away from breaking their century-old curse. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
If the Cubs win the World Series, you will witness something that barely anyone on Earth has seen before. Entire lives have been lived in between the time it's taken for the Cubs to win the World Series, but with Chicago's current roster (again, partially built by Theo Epstein) it looks as close as ever to breaking the century-long curse.
The Blue Jays last won the World Series in 1993 - when Joe Carter blasted them to victory over the Philadelphia Phillies - which was also the last time they made the playoffs. The franchise's first championship in 22 years would undoubtedly change the landscape of the AL East for years to come.
You know the Red Sox will be active this offseason, but would they be as aggressive if it were, say, Pirates-Astros in the World Series? Hell no!
My fellow Red Sox fans (that's what I am in case you can't tell by now), it's time to swallow your pride and root for a rival to win the World Series and shove it in our collective faces. For both the immediate and long-term future at Fenway, it's for the best.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com and devout Pedro Martinez worshipper. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read more from Matt here. Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
