Top 5 Major League games of 2016

The 2016 regular season was full of homer-fueled slugfests, tense pitching duels, riveting rallies, dramatic walk-offs and meaningful personal milestones. It concluded with an exciting stretch run that set up a memorable postseason, capped by the Cubs’ first championship since 1908.

With the end of the year approaching, MLB.com decided to look back at the best of those games.

• Most amazing American League games of 2016

We first narrowed down the pool to one candidate from each team, with input from the MLB.com beat writers. Next, we created a formula that accounted for several factors, including a game’s stakes and level of competitiveness, giving credit for factors such as late comebacks and walk-off wins.

• Most amazing National League games of 2016

Without further ado, here is a look at the top five games of 2016.

1. Nov. 2: Cubs 8, Indians 7

What made it special: The Cubs broke the longest championship drought in professional sports (108 years), winning a World Series they trailed three games to one. They did so in a dramatic Game 7 at Progressive Field, blowing a 6-1 lead before triumphing in 10 innings.

How it happened: Dexter Fowler went deep to open the game, and Javier Baez and David Ross added homers as the Cubs jumped ahead. But in the bottom of the eighth, Rajai Davis tied the score with a two-run shot off closer Aroldis Chapman.

After Chapman’s perfect ninth and a brief rain delay — during which Jason Heyward provided a pep talk — the Cubs retook the lead on RBI hits from Ben Zobrist and Miguel Montero. Cleveland rallied again to pull within one, but Mike Montgomery retired Michael Martinez for the final out. Full recap >

2. Oct. 13: Dodgers 4, Nationals 3

What made it special: The Dodgers rallied late and held on (barely) in the winner-take-all finale of a hard-fought National League Division Series in D.C.

How it happened: Eventual NL Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer mostly cruised through six innings with a 1-0 lead, but Joc Pederson homered on the first pitch of the seventh. The Dodgers added three runs in the frame against the Washington bullpen, two on Justin Turner’s triple.

After Chris Heisey’s two-run shot in the seventh made it a …

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