Another Former Tiger Punches Ticket to Championship Series

Chicago Cubs catcher David Ross (Photo: Associated Press/Paul Beaty)

Former Auburn Tiger David Ross and the Chicago Cubs have advanced to the National League Championship Series, after defeating the San Francisco Giants in the Divisional Series, in four games. In a game that provided plenty of fireworks, Ross played a key role in the win that would move the Cubs one step closer to a World Series title. Ross would get the nod to start at catcher for the Cubs, which would be his second start of the postseason. He finished the night 1-3 at the plate, with two RBI. His lone hit would put the Cubs on the board in the third inning. In the third inning, Ross delivered a 1-0 pitch over the right field wall, for only his second career postseason home run. That home run had historical value. At 39 years old, Ross became the oldest Cub to hit a home run in a postseason game. Also in the third, Ross, with the aid of Cubs second baseman Javier Baez, threw out San Francisco’s Denard Span on a pickoff attempt. Ross would plate his final run of the night in the 5th inning when his sacrifice fly would be deep enough to score Baez at third. So far this postseason, Ross is batting .167 (1-for-6) with a home run, and 2 RBI. The Chicago Cubs await the winner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals Divisional Series, which will be decided on Thursday. Game one of the NLCS will be in Chicago, beginning Saturday. Grant Dayton, a relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, also has a chance to advance with his team to the championship series.