 They defeated the San Francisco Giants in the National League Division Series and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship series, breaking the Curse of the Billy Goat, and securing the franchise's first National League pennant and World Series appearance since 1945.Once there, they fell to a 3–1 deficit in the series, but won games five and six to force a game seven.After ten innings, a rain delay, and a blown 5–1 lead, the Cubs finally emerged victorious in game seven, 8–7.