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Cubs wait for winner of Dodgers-Nats Game 5

Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

CHICAGO - Best in the majors this season, the Chicago Cubs cleared their first big October hurdle. Now, they wait to see who's next.

The Cubs advanced to the NL Championship Series for the second straight year by knocking out the San Francisco Giants in a thrilling four-game NLDS. They will face the winner of Thursday's Game 5 between the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers in what they hope will be another step toward the World Series championship that has eluded the franchise since 1908.

Whether it's Washington or Los Angeles, either series would offer intriguing storylines.

If it's the Nationals, how does Dusty Baker going against the Cubs in the postseason sound? Not that anyone would mention Chicago's collapse five outs shy of the World Series in the 2003 NLCS against the Marlins, when he was the Cubs' manager. No need to recall Steve Bartman, or shortstop Alex Gonzalez's error on a potential double-play grounder.

If it's Los Angeles, well, there's the connection between Maddon and Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, his boss in Tampa Bay.

But for now, the Cubs can rest. Avoiding a Game 5 against San Francisco means Maddon could go with Lester in Game 1 of the NLCS on Saturday. It also quiets talk of curses for at least a few days, though this group refuses to buy into superstitions.

Little seems to rattle these Cubs, for that matter.

''They're so balanced, great pitching staff, great bullpen, that's why they won over a hundred games,'' Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. ''So whoever plays them has their work cut out. That's how good they are. And we played them tough.''

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