MILWAUKEE _ The bunting along the upper-deck rails around Wrigley Field and the raising of the championship banners will provide an emotionally satisfying experience Monday night for the Cubs and their fans commemorating their first World Series title since 1908.
"I better get there on time," manager Joe Maddon quipped Sunday after the Cubs' 7-4 victory against the Brewers. "I don't know what roads to take."
As soon as the Cubs take the field for their home opener against the loaded Dodgers, they will turn their focus to once again dominating at Wrigley Field.
"We took advantage of it last year," Ben Zobrist said. "We anticipate more of that this year. I know visiting teams don't look forward to coming to Wrigley. So it's a good thing, not just because of our fans and the atmosphere that our fans provide for a visiting team. It's because we're good and play well there."
The Cubs earned home-field advantage throughout the National League playoffs, thanks to 103 victories, including a major league-leading and franchise-record 57 wins at Wrigley _ where they averaged near-capacity crowds of 39,906 in 81 dates.
"It's big for us," said Kyle Hendricks, who was 9-2 with a major league-low 1.32 home ERA, second best in Wrigley history. "Having that home-field advantage in the playoffs was huge."
Hendricks pitched 7 1/3 innings of two-hit ball to blank ace Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers 5-0 in the clinching game of the 2016 NL Championship Series at Wrigley.
"Having that setting in the clubhouse helped a lot, and getting back there will feel more like home," Hendricks said. "If we don't get 57 (wins at home), hopefully it's something high up there."
Jon Lester will be the first Cubs pitcher to warm up in the new bullpen under the left-field bleachers before the opener.
Lester, who posted a 1.74 ERA in 15 home starts in 2016, said the relocated bullpen will provide a sanctuary for the starting pitcher amid the hoopla of pregame festivities.
"I'm just as excited to go home, get my locker situated," Lester said. "It feels like we've been on the road for two months. I'm ready to get there and get underway."
A blend of appreciative fans who suffered through decades of unfulfilled hopes combined with enthusiastic newcomers is expected to provide plenty of energy for Monday's opener.
"When you have a modern park, there's a tendency (for fans) to go for the comfort," Anthony Rizzo said. "You've got the people who go there for the scene. Then you got the true diehards and the tourists. A lot of visiting teams circle their trips to Wrigley.
"But what Mr. (Tom) Ricketts and (President) Theo Epstein have built is something that everyone wants to see _ the team, the video boards and the plaza. It's historic to see."
The Cubs home opener will occur nearly eight weeks after their first workout in Arizona. A longer spring training, because of the World Baseball Classic, followed by a pit stop in Houston and six nights in St. Louis and a weekend in Milwaukee have made it seem like an eternity. But Rizzo is ready to be invigorated.
"You hear the fans, and it's instant adrenaline," Rizzo said. "It's a good feeling."
