Once in a blue, major league baseball fans have to rejoice with the interleague matchups created.
Less than a season after leaving an erratic Boston Red Sox team, Theo Epstein's Chicago Cubs will host the team in a three-game series at Wrigley Field.
What last year might have seemed like a simple matchup between two of the oldest (or historic, which ever you want to use) franchises in baseballs who went through World Series droughts, now share another story.
In 2004, Epstein led the Red Sox to their first World Series championship in 86 years. Bill Buckner was forgiven, and though very painful to remember, Red Sox fans were able to relieve themselves from the Curse of the Bambino.
Three years later, Epstein and the Sox won another championship when they defeated the Colorado Rockies in 2007.
Last season, the Red Sox had the greatest collapse in baseball history. With nine up on the Tampa Bay Rays and only 27 games to play, the Sox blew it.
Following the collapse, the team went into disarray. They looked for answers and their disorganized clubhouse took the fall.
Terry Francona became the scapegoat and was fired as manager.
Theo Epstein followed and asked to be traded to the Chicago Cubs.
The interesting thing about being the general manager of the Cubs is that they are still "cursed."
Epstein has taken the challenge of trying to lead a team with another horrible history and the longest World Series drought in baseball (106 years). He wanted to win in Chicago.
He immediately traded away the controversial Carlos Zambrano, sent Sean Marshall to the Reds, who is currently struggling in Cincinnati and traded for Anthony Rizzo, the San Diego Padres' former number one prospect.
Recently Epstein signed 20-year old outfielder, Jorge Soler, the most recent Cuban defector to a nine-year $30 million deal.
Epstein is a clear believer in moneyball and seems to be doing a great job getting the right players for the Cubs future.
Ryan Dempster will face Daisuke Matsuzaka in the first game of the series set to start a 2:25 PM.
It will be interesting to see if the Cubs' new GM has any tricks up his sleeve as far as matchups. Remember, Billy Beane ran the show in his early years in Oakland, not the manager.
