Oct. 17--With the Cubs and New York Mets set to face each other in the National League Championship Series, I asked celebrities to pick which team will win the best of seven series and move on to the World Series.
George Lopez, "Lopez Tonight" star
"Cubs have a manager in Joe Maddon that manages players, not numbers. The Cubs' bats and pitching are strong at the right time and Chicago is a city that will not be denied! Cubs in 6."
Danica Patrick, NASCAR driver
"Cubs win! I live in Chicago and anyone who knows a Chicagoan knows we have a lot of pride and excitement for our home teams. I've thrown out the first pitch twice over the years, so if they need a relief pitcher, don't call me if you want to win!"
Linda Cohn, ESPN "SportsCenter" anchor
"Mets in 7. I just feel the Mets have a deeper starting staff, which will help stymie the Cubs young sluggers. I also feel the Mets are an opportunistic bunch who are confident after having success against two of the best pitchers in baseball in (Clayton) Kershaw and (Zack) Greinke. So (Jon) Lester and (Jake) Arrieta will have to work harder than they needed to against a weaker Cardinals lineup. I also think the Mets have a better closer."
Ike Barinholtz, "The Mindy Project" star
"The Ghost of '69 must be busted. I'm calling it, Cubs win in six and go to the World Series and I can't believe I just said that. I have to lay down now."
Joe Mantegna, "Criminal Minds" star
"Cubs in 6. 1969 is avenged!"
Bonnie Hunt, "The Bonnie Hunt Show"
"Have to go with the Cubs in 6. Both teams have had great seasons, but over the course of the series the Cubs offense may simply be too much for the Mets pitchers to handle. This is the year! Ernie (Banks) is smiling!"
Thomas Ian Nicholas, "Rookie of the Year" star
"Recently, I did an interview with Rolling Stone and told them that I hope 'Back to the Future Part II' is correct. We already have hover boards so let's hope they get the Cubs part right as well. And now it's Cubs vs Mets, just like the final scenes in 'Rookie of the Year.' Let's hope that life imitates art. I'm not gonna guess the number of games it'll take, just gonna root root root for the Cubbies!"
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