CLEVELAND — The most anticipated game seven in Major League Baseball happens tonight in the approriately named “city of champions.” The Cleveland Indians find themselves in a similar scenario as another Cleveland team did just a few months ago. As you may recall, in a role reversal of sorts, the Cavaliers were down 3-1 in a best of seven series with the Golden State Warriors with the NBA title on the line. The result? The Cavaliers rallied back to win their first title in the history of the franchise. The Indians were up 3-1 and ready to claim their first title since 1948 just a few days ago. Yet, here we are, on Wednesday Nov.2, Tribe fans biting their collective fingernails.
Here’s what to look forward to tonight at 8 p.m.
Corey ‘Klubot’ Kluber will take the mound for his third start in seven games. Kluber has been magnificent in his first career postseason, going 4-1 in five starts with an Earned Run Average of just 0.89. He has pictched 30 1/3 innings and boasts a strikeout to walk ratio of 35/8. This game seven start comes on just three days rest after Kluber won game four on Saturday Oct.29. Manager Terry Francona is a wise man, but will this prove to be a smart move?
For manager Joe Maddon and the Cubs in game seven, Kyle Hendricks will get the nod as starter. Hendricks is 1-1 this postseason with a 1.31 ERA, 20 2/3 innings pitched and a 17/6 strikeout to walk ratio. The October numbers may not do this kid justice however. Hendricks had the lowest ERA (2.13) in the majors this season and was the surprise in a pitching rotation full of all-stars.
The Cubs power forced a game seven. Addison Russell tied a record with six Runs Batted In, four of them coming on a grand slam in the top of the third inning. Anthony Rizzo added a two-run blast in the ninth inning for the nail in the coffin. However, in a suprise move, Maddon brought in flame thrower Aroldis Chapman in the seventh inning. The Cubs had a five run lead at the time. Chapman threw 20 pitches over 1 1/3 innings, adding to his absurd amount of pitches this World Series. For the Indians, I will simply say Tyler Naquin…Will this have any effect on game seven? Only time will tell…
Speaking of time, a streak ends tonight. Will the Indians claim their first title since 1948 or will the Cubs snap their drought that has lasted since 1908?
