World Series preview: Cubs-Indians guarantees memorable Fall Classic

MLB broadcaster Dan Shulman discusses what Cleveland's pitching staff will have to do in order to limit the Cubs potent offensive lineup, and touches on Javier Baez as the guy to watch in the World Series.

Baseball fans were assured of a memorable World Series the moment the Chicago Cubs clinched their first National League pennant since 1945.

Either the Cubs end a so-called curse that began in 1908, or they lose to the Cleveland Indians and prolong the pain of a fan base that’s already suffered for more than a century. Chicago’s easily the better team here, but Cleveland has more than enough talent to upset the Cubs and win their first World Series since 1948.

There’ll be no shortage of angles to follow when Corey Kluber delivers the first pitch at Progressive Field Tuesday night.

Tuesday, Oct. 25 – 8:00 p.m. ET
Jon Lester @ Corey Kluber

Wednesday, Oct. 26 – 8:00 p.m. ET
Jake Arrieta @ TBD

Friday, Oct. 28 – 8:00 p.m. ET
TBD @ Kyle Hendricks

Saturday, Oct. 29 – 8:00 p.m. ET
TBD @ John Lackey

STUCK IN NEUTRAL

Jon Lester seemingly has a problem throwing to bases. Cleveland led the American League in stolen bases. On paper that’s a potential advantage for the likes of Rajai Davis, Coco Crisp and Francisco Lindor when Lester takes the ball in Game 1.

Oddly enough, though, opposing runners have had trouble taking advantage of Lester this year. Catcher David Ross helped prevent 32 per cent of stolen base attempts with Lester on the mound, beating the league average of 27 per cent. Chances are Cleveland attempts to exploit this weakness at some point, even if it’s not as easy as it looks.

DOMINANT LEFT-HANDERS

Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman will finish the season opposing one another after beginning the season as teammates in New York. While the Yankees undoubtedly did well to land prospects Gleyber Torres, Clint Frazier and Justus Sheffield in mid-summer trades, Miller and Chapman have played major roles in delivering their new teams to the World Series.

Miller has two years and $18 million remaining on a contract that now looks like a bargain. Chapman, who hits free agency after the World Series, could shatter records for relief contracts along with Kenley Jansen this winter.

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Andrew Miller (24) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during seventh inning, game two American League Championship Series baseball action in Cleveland on Saturday, October 15, 2016. (Nathan Denette/CP)

LEVERAGING MILLER

If Cleveland’s ALCS decision making offers any indication, they’re positioned to get more than an inning per game from Miller. The left-hander pitched 7.2 innings in five ALCS games, striking out 14 Blue Jays on his way to an ALCS MVP award. Cleveland had five days off before the World Series and with scheduled off days Thursday and Monday, Terry Francona can rest Miller once the games resume.

In other words, the Cubs will need to score early against a vulnerable Cleveland rotation that includes Trevor Bauer, Josh Tomlin and, potentially, Ryan Merritt.

JUST THE BEGINNING

Not only are the Cubs the best team in baseball right now, they’re positioned to contend for years to come. Core players like Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Willson Contreras, Kyle Schwarber and Lester are under team control through 2021 or later, while Kyle Hendricks won’t hit free agency until after the 2020 season. Right there you have the structure of a team that has a legitimate shot at many more pennants.

RETURNING STARS
Each team will welcome back a star player Tuesday, when Kyle Schwarber and Danny Salazar return. Schwarber, who became the Cubs’ all-time playoff home run leader with five October dingers last year, suffered a knee injury on April 7 that was expected to sideline him for the remainder of the year. But his rehab went well and the Cubs saw enough in the Arizona Fall League to activate the left-handed hitting 23-year-old.

Salazar last pitched Sept. 9 because of forearm tightness in his pitching arm.

DEFENSIVE FLEXIBILITY

The Cubs owe their stellar run prevention to strong defensive players with exceptional versatility.

Bryant, a frontrunner for NL MVP, played nine or more games at four positions; Baez and Ben Zobrist played 20-plus games at three positions; Contreras played 20-plus games in two spots.

The Cubs deserve credit on many levels here, just as Cleveland’s relievers, manager and front office contribute to their creative late-inning relief strategy. Chicago’s front office obtains defensively talented players, Joe Maddon takes advantage of their versatility and the players themselves buy in by contributing wherever they’re asked.

The result? The Cubs converted 74.5 per cent of batted balls into outs thanks to a defence that was easily the most efficient in the sport.

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