The Chicago Cubs are showing the baseball world why they are the defending World Series champions. Not too many MLB experts or fans outside the Windy City gave the Cubbies much of a shot to win Game 3 against the great Max Scherzer. However, the Cubs showed resolve, patience, and heart as they battled out a tough 2-1 win, and more importantl, they grabbed a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five series.

Quintana outduels Scherzer, Murray brothers turn the tide?

While Max Scherzer was absolutely incredible in Game 3 of the NLDS, let's not overlook how great Chicago's Jose Quintana was in his first career playoff appearance.

Quintana matched Scherzer pitch for pitch and got some great defensive plays as well from Jason Heyward in right field and Jon Jay in the center. Quintana struck out seven Nationals while carrying a two-hit shutout into the sixth inning. While Quintana was dealing, some Cubs fans also believe that actor Bill Murray may have had a hand in the Cubbies comeback victory.

If you haven't been to Wrigley Feld, or just don't know how things work on the North Side, during the 7th inning, the Cubs always have someone sing the classic baseball song ''Take Me Out To The Ball Game'." Actors and brothers Bill and Joel Murray had the honor for Game 3 and the star of "Groundhog Day" and Chicago native fired up the crowd of 42,445 by screaming with positivity that "one run ties it, and two runs win it!" Who knows, maybe the Murray brothers brought a bit of luck to Wrigley!

Why history shows it matters who wins Game 3

For most of Game 3 of the NLDS, it not only didn't look like the Cubs had a shot to win, but the question was would they even get a hit? In the end, the Cubs did just enough to get the win - and history shows that winning Game 3 is huge in terms of winning a five-game series.

When a series is tied 1-1 in a best-of-five scenario, the winner of Game 3 goes on to win the series 69.8% of the time.

With Game 4 scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, Wrigley Field will be electric as the Cubs are just one win away from advancing to the NLCS.

Washington will send Wilmington, IL native Tanner Roark to the mound, while the Cubs counter with Jake Arrieta.

Roark will try to defeat the team he grew up rooting for as a youngster. Roark has had good success going against his one-time favorite team. The right-hander is 3-1 with a 3.24 ERA in five career games at Wrigley Field. As for Cubs starter Jake Arrieta, he hasn't pitched in a game since Sept. 26 in St. Louis.
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