Cubs Vs. Nationals: When And How To Watch Game 3 | Live Video From Wrigley

It's October, and the Chicago Cubs get to do something they haven't done in more than a century: defend a World Series title. The North Siders take that first postseason step as they face the Washington Nationals in the National League Division Series. The best-of-five series began Friday, Oct. 6.

Can the Cubs make it back to the World Series this season? Will the 2017 postseason join last year as part of a Chicago dynasty of multiple championships? Patch gets you ready for each playoff game with all the info you need to know before you enjoy the action on the field.

Also, check out the tentative postseason schedule for the Cubs if they advance to future rounds. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Lake View and Chicago — or other neighborhoods. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

2017 NL Division Series: Cubs vs. Nationals

The best-of-five series is tied 1-1.

GAME 3

First Pitch: 3:08 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9

Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago

TV | Radio | Streaming: TBS | 670 the Score (WSCR-AM), ESPNRadio 1000 (WMVP-AM) | MLB.com

Pitching Matchup: Jose Quintana (7-3, 3.74 ERA) vs. Max Scherzer (16-6, 2.51 ERA)

Previous Game Results

GAME 1

Cubs 3, Nationals 0

W: Kyle Hendricks (1-0; 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 K, 3 BB) | L: StephenStrasburg (0-1; 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 10 K, 1 BB) | S: Wade Davis (1; 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 K, 0 BB)

GAME 2

Cubs 3, Nationals 6

W: Oliver Perez (1-0; 0.2 IP, 0 ER, 0 K, 0 BB) | L: Carl Edwards Jr. (0-1; 0.1 IP, 3 ER, 1 K, 1 BB) | S: Sean Doolittle (1; 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 K, 0 BB)

Live From Wrigley Field

Patch is broadcasting live at Wrigley Field before Monday's Game 3. Take a look as fans come out for the the Cubs first postseason game in Chicago for the 2017 season.

Here's what's happening in Wrigleyville as the Cubs and Nationals get ready to face off:

Ceremonial Honors

Cubs manager Joe Maddon had it easy picking Chicago's playoff roster and postseason pitching rotation. The tough decisions come with choosing who will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch now that the NLDS comes to Wrigley Field. The team announced Sunday who will be handling those duties, along with who will be singing the national anthem.

Cubs All-Star outfielder Billy Williams has been tapped to throw out the first pitch before Game 3 on Monday, and Chicago singer John Vincent has the honor of peforming "The Star-Spangled Banner." Former Bears coach Mike Ditka will have the job of calling, "Play ball!" to get the game under way.

As for the seventh-inning stretch, is it any surprise that Bill Murray — the Wilmette native and lifelong Cubs fan who the team embraced as its good luck charm last year — will lead the crowd in the North Siders' first group sing-along of the postseason?

A Visit From "Grandpa"

David Ross has been keeping busy since hanging up his cleats at the end of last season. The former Cubs catcher was the runner-up during a season of "Dancing With the Stars," he opened this summer's Chicago Air and Water Show, and he's been working as baseball commentator for ESPN.

But Grandpa Rossy's full schedule didn't stop him from visiting with his old teammates before Game 2 in D.C.:

Road Warriors

Wrigley Field is known as the Friendly Confines for the Cubs, but the Nationals might feel just as comfortable playing at the ballpark. Washington was the best road team in the National League during the regular season, although manager Dusty Baker isn't sure his players are aware of that distinction. Even so, being able to win in hostile territory is a point of pride for him and something he has stressed to his team.

"It's difficult on the road, but you've got to do more things perfectly, to me, to win on the road," Baker said Sunday, adding that complacency can set in for a team at its home ballpark.

"[S]ometimes the comforts of home are not really conducive to competitiveness as much as being on the road is," he said.

RELATED: Mayors Put Meat, Beer On The Line For NL Division Series

There are other advantages to playing on the road, too.

"I always used to like playing on the road because there are less distractions on the road, you know," he said. "You don't have to go to the bank. You don't have to go to the laundry. You don't have to do anything but just get up, eat and go to the ballpark. You don't have to take the kids to school. You don't have to do anything."

Wrigley has its baggage for Baker, however. The last time he managed there in the postseason was in 2003 as the skipper for the Cubs. Chicago was five outs away from going to the World Series in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series against the Florida Marlins. But the Marlins came back to win after fan Steve Bartman became tangled up with Cubs left fielder Moises Alou while going for a foul ball in the stands. Florida would go on to defeat Chicago in Game 7 at Wrigley.

That was the closest Baker would get to the World Series with the Cubs, and he eventually was let go by the team after the 2006 season. Since then, Chicago finally reached its title dreams last season. Baker, however, is still looking to earn his first-ever World Series ring.

2016 NLDS, Game 3 (Oct. 10)

The San Franciso Giants stopped a three-game sweep with a 6-5 victory in 13 innings. The game ended on an RBI double by Giants second baseman Joe Panik.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo and Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman during Game 2 of the National League Division Series on Oct. 7 at Nationals Park. (Photos by Pablo Martinez Monsivais | Associated Press)

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