Debuts, NLDS run made 2017 memorable

It may not have ended on as high of a note as 2016, but Cubs gave fans plenty to cheer about

December 16th, 2017

CHICAGO -- There were plenty of highlights during the 2017 season for the Cubs, including 's leadoff home runs, ' incredible saves streak, 's defensive plays and 's homers. Here are five moments to remember from the year.
May 13: made his Major League debut on May 13 in St. Louis, starting in right field. He may have struck out in his first at-bat, but Happ made a good impression in the seventh, when he homered to right field on the first pitch from . It wasn't enough, as the Cubs lost, 5-3, but Happ did finish with 24 home runs in his rookie season. The Cubs set a Major League record with five 20-homer seasons by players in their age 25-or-younger season (Baez, Bryant, , Happ and ).

July 16: The Cubs made a rare crosstown trade with the White Sox, acquiring . In his first start, the lefty struck out 12 and gave up three hits over seven scoreless innings in an 8-0 win over the Orioles. He went 7-3 with a 3.74 ERA in 14 starts for the Cubs, including a huge win on Sept. 24 over the Brewers to take the series against their division rivals.

July 27: Schwarber hit two home runs and collected four RBIs in the Cubs' 6-3 win over the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. Schwarber had been back with the team since July 6 after being sent down to the Minor Leagues while battling .171 through June 21. He finished the year with 30 home runs.

Aug. 3: Contreras belted two home runs and drove in six runs in a 10-8 loss to the D-backs. The young catcher was key in the Cubs' second-half surge, batting .311 with 10 homers and 29 RBIs in 23 games from July 14-Aug. 11, before he was sidelined with a right hamstring injury.

Oct. 12: In the decisive Game 5 of the National League Division Series, the Cubs overcame a 4-1 deficit to post a 9-8 victory over the Nationals, sparked by 's four RBIs. opened the series with a win, giving up two hits over seven scoreless innings. However, the Cubs couldn't advance past the Dodgers in the NL Championship Series, losing the best of seven series, 4-1.