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☆ 2016 WORLD SERIES ☆ Chicago Cubs vs CLEVELAND INDIANS ☆


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☆ 2016 WORLD SERIES ☆ Chicago Cubs vs CLEVELAND INDIANS ☆

 

Welcome to the World Series from Cleveland, Ohio and can you really believe it is really here?

The eyes of the sporting world will be focused upon Cleveland and Chicago for the fall classic.

 

World Series - FOX - And streaming on MLB.tv

 

Game Date Location Time

 

1 October 25 Chicago Cubs @ Cleveland Indians Progressive Field 8:08 pm EDT -

2 October 26 Chicago Cubs @ Cleveland Indians Progressive Field 8:08 pm EDT -

 

3 October 28 Cleveland Indians @ Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field 8:08 pm EDT -

4 October 29 Cleveland Indians @ Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field 8:08 pm EDT -

*5 October 30 Cleveland Indians @ Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field 8:15 pm EDT -

 

*6 November 1 Chicago Cubs @ Cleveland Indians Progressive Field 8:08 pm EDT -

*7 November 2 Chicago Cubs @ Cleveland Indians Progressive Field 8:08 pm EDT -

 

* if necessary

 

GO TRIBE, BRING IT ON HOME TO CLEVELAND!

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Cubs. Indians. World Series.

 

It's about time.

 

Time is truly the essence of this fascinating Fall Classic pairing, because, in a Series that gets underway Tuesday 7:30 p.m. ET air time/8 p.m. game time on FOX at Progressive Field, one of the two longest active championship droughts in the game is about to come to its merciful conclusion.

.

Only adding to the allure, the guys at the helm of these two clubs know a bit about drought

destruction. Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and Indians manager Terry Francona once collaborated on the end of the "Curse of the Bambino" in Boston, so it's oddly appropriate that they'll now have their curse-breaking abilities in other markets tested head-to-head.

 

For the Cubs and their fans, it has been 108 years of unrewarded hope and, for that matter, 71 years of waiting just to even get back to this point of the postseason. And whether you believe that's attributable to bad luck, bad management or a bitter billy goat owner, the bottom line is that this current concoction of the Cubs constructed by Epstein and Co. was built to be a juggernaut. And the 103-win regular season only amped-up the expectations.

 

For the Indians and their fans, it has been a 68-year wait for a title, prolonged by the heartbreak of watching two of the greatest regular-season winning percentages in history snuffed out on the Series stage in 1954 and 1995, and the utter agony of losing a Game 7 lead with two outs in the ninth in '97. The Indians weren't nearly as widely acclaimed as World Series contenders, especially when they lost prominent players like Michael Brantley, Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar to injury, but Francona has again proven himself as a skipper capable of exceeding the sum of his parts.

 

Clearly, there is a decent amount of emotional baggage rolling into this one. While the players and coaches -- and particularly expected Game 1 starters Corey Kluber and Jon Lester -- can't afford to let thoughts of curses or droughts seep into their subconscious, there's simply no denying the storyline is striking for everybody else.

 

The Cubs possess the National League's longest drought, the Indians have the American League's, and so the alignment of angst, which will be extinguished for one organization and extended for another, is pretty much perfect.

 

The Indians, who just so happen to be benefiting from Kluber's claim of the victory in July's All-Star Game at Petco Park, have the schedule strength that accompanies home-field advantage. But by the time the first pitch of Game 1 is thrown, their efficient win over the Blue Jays in the League Championship Series round will have granted them five days of downtime spelled only by full-squad workouts and a Sunday sim game. The rest was probably good for their overworked arms in the back of the bullpen (Andrew Miller, Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw have accounted for 35 percent of the Tribe's postseason innings thrown), but it could throw the bats out of whack.

 

"Because our game is so much rhythm and timing, the rest is good for their bodies," Francona said. "But you also try to let them see some pitching so having five or six days between games doesn't get in the way of their hitting."

 

The Cubs had a slightly more arduous road through the LCS, as they had to rebound from a 2-1 series deficit and overcome Clayton Kershaw in Game 6. But they got where they were expected to be, and in a game that rarely rewards the regular-season hierarchy (2013 marked the only time in the previous six seasons in which a team with the best record in the Majors advanced to the World Series), that's quite a feat, in and of itself.

 

But anything short of a World Series title will be deemed disappointment on the North Side, and so the pressure is once again heightened here.

 

"Obviously, we know that it's something that's going to be talked about with the history of the organization," Cubs starter Jake Arrieta said. "But it's really not something we focus on at all. We just kind of disregard it and go out and play."

 

The Cubs had arguably an on-paper edge over any and all potential opponents on this October stage, and that applies in the matchup with the Indians. Miller, the ALCS MVP, has been the Tribe's separator so far, but this Cubs team finished the regular season with the game's second-highest OPS (.807) off left-handed pitching, so perhaps they're in better position to neutralize that strength.

 

Ultimately, you don't get to this point without belief in your abilities and your destiny. Both of these clubs have had a magical month, and they've each got a fan base hoping, praying and urging the magic to continue, so that a multi-generational dry spell can finally come to a close.

 

The awesome October stories of the Cubs and Indians are colliding on the World Series stage, and they're both on the clock.

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Well TRIBE fans it looks like the Indians are starting out as the big underdogs again in the 2016 World Series, so what else is new?

 

The early futures odds (vegasinsider.com) on Sunday 10/23/16:

 

ODDS TO WIN 2016 WORLD SERIES (10/31/16)

Team Odds

Chicago Cubs 1/2

Cleveland Indians 9/5

 

Looks like Lester vs Kluber will start this classic this Tuesday.

 

So that Homefield advantage and the first two games will be huge, just ask Boston and Toronto. ;)

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On a somewhat related and aaahhh moment in sports and life......

 

The wedding gifts from Indians fans have started showing up on Ryan Merritt's doorstep

 

After Ryan Merritt allowed just two hits over 4 1/3 innings in ALCS Game 5 -- only the second start of his career -- Indians fans rewarded him by buying pretty much every pizza cutter, muffin tin and serving dish on his wedding registry.

 

"I didn't know if it was real or not," Merritt said the next day.

Well, by Friday, it was very much real:

 

Three months before Ryan and his fiancée Sarah tie the knot, their wedding registry is picked clean and the gifts have begun arriving on their doorstep. No wonder he's feeling so generous in return.

 

"If more people want to come [to the wedding], I guess they can come," Merritt told reporters on Friday.

 

Be careful, Ryan. If Cleveland wins its first World Series in 68 years, Indians fans might just take you up on that.

 

Watch the Indians host Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.

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On Salazar. .....

 

.....Getting Salazar back would certainly help Cleveland's chances in the Fall Classic.

In 25 regular-season starts, Salazar went 11-6 with a 3.87 ERA, piling up 161 strikeouts in 137 1/3 innings. The hard-throwing righty went 10-3 with a 2.75 ERA in the first half, earning a spot on the AL All-Star team for the first time in his career. Salazar endured a shoulder issue in June, though, and he then dealt with elbow and forearm troubles through August and September.

 

Salazar last started for the Indians on Sept. 9, when he exited an outing in Minnesota after four innings due to a right forearm strain. During the ALDS, he remained in Arizona to work through a throwing program. Salazar then rejoined the team in Toronto, where he logged a two-inning simulated game on Sunday. He threw more in an indoor cage (due to poor weather) at Progressive Field on Thursday.

 

"He let it go, which is good," Francona said. "He really let it go and threw his changeup with some arm speed. So we'll see how the next one goes."

 

Francona was not willing to speculate on the Tribe's upcoming roster decisions, so it is unclear if including Salazar would mean Merritt would be left out. One possibility -- given that Salazar is not fully stretched out -- would be that the Indians would carry both pitchers, keeping one as multi-inning insurance. Merritt, who worked 4 1/3 scoreless innings on Wednesday in Toronto, said he has not been told anything yet.

 

Ryan Merritt keeps the Blue Jays scoreless over 4 1/3 innings, allowing two hits while striking out three in ALCS Game 5

 

"I'm just here if they need me," Merritt said. "If they want me to start, I'll start. If they want me to come out of the 'pen, be a long guy, it's fine. Whatever they need me to do, I'm here."

In the first two rounds, Francona and Callaway said Salazar would only be viewed as a reliever. Francona changed his tone during Friday's session with reporters.

 

"I think he's ready to pitch," Francona said.....

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MLB.com | 19 minutes ago

 

CLEVELAND -- Indians manager Terry Francona announced on Sunday evening that ace Corey Kluber will start Game 1 of the World Series against the Cubs on Tuesday night, and the right-hander will be followed by Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin in Games 2 and 3.

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MONDAY - Order of Games 2 and 3 starters could change; Salazar in mix for Game 4 nod.

 

Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway was confident that Bauer would be ready to go for Game 2.

"I think he'll be OK again," Callaway said. "He could throw 120 pitches tomorrow if he had to."

 

Trevor Bauer has to leave the game in the bottom of the 1st inning when his previous finger wound begins to bleed while pitching

 

Through three starts this October, Kluber has collected two wins and turned in a 0.98 ERA in 18 1/3 innings, in which he has piled up 20 strikeouts against seven walks. The AL Cy Young Award contender defeated the Red Sox in Game 2 of the AL Division Series, took down Toronto in the ALCS opener and then picked up a hard-luck loss while working on short rest in Game 4 against the Blue Jays.

 

Corey Kluber has been lights out in the 2016 postseason, spinning a combined 0.98 ERA over three starts in the ALDS and ALCS

 

Tomlin has gone 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA in two postseason starts -- one each against Boston and Toronto -- with 10 strikeouts and three walks in 10 2/3 innings. The righty pitched the clinching win over the Red Sox in Game 3 of the ALDS and then took the mound in Game 2 of the ALCS on short notice in the wake of Bauer's injury.

 

Another result of Bauer's injury in the ALCS was the emergence of Merritt, who tossed 4 1/3 shutout innings in the Game 5 clincher against the Jays. Merritt would presumably be in the mix for Game 4, but the Indians are also monitoring Salazar. If Salazar (right forearm strain) gets through a three-inning simulated game Sunday with no issues, he could be in the World Series roster mix.

 

There is also the possibility that Kluber could return on short rest to pitch in Game 4.

 

"It's going to be TBA after Game 3 probably the rest of the way, for obvious reasons," Francona said. "It's not that difficult to figure out. Kluber's certainly an option. It could be a lot of things, so we're just kind of keeping it open. We found out the last series that that's probably a good way to do it."

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INJURY REPORT MONDAY 10/24/2016

 

Cubs Updated Status Due Back Injury Notes

 

Beeler, Dallas (P) 08/19 60-day DL TBD Right shoulder inflammation Placed on 15-day DL on April 3, retroactive to March 25; transferred to 60-day DL on Aug. 19.

Brooks, Aaron (P) 08/19 60-day DL TBD Hip contusion Sent on Triple-A rehab assignment June 9; transferred to 60-day DL on Aug. 19.

Hammel, Jason (P) 10/22 Out Indefinitely Possibly World Series Right elbow tightness Scratched from Sept. 30 scheduled start; was not included in NLDS or NLCS roster.

Rosscup, Zac (P) 02/25 60-day DL TBD Left shoulder inflammation Placed on 60-day DL on Feb. 25.

Schwarber, Kyle (LF) 10/24 Out Indefinitely Possibly World Series Recovering from April 2016 left knee surgery Began playing in Arizona Fall League games Oct. 22, expected to join team in Cleveland Oct. 24.

Villanueva, Christian (3B) 07/03 60-day DL TBD Recovering from February 2016 right leg surgery Rehabbing in Arizona as of April 18 update.

 

Indians Updated Status Due Back Injury Notes

 

Bauer, Trevor (P) 10/23 Any day Game 2 of World Series Lacerated right pinkie finger Left game early Oct. 17; was scheduled to play catch on Oct. 23.

Brantley, Michael (LF) 08/17 Out for Season Likely 2017 Recovering from August 2016 right shoulder surgery Underwent season-ending surgery Aug. 15; expected to recover in four months as of Aug. 16 update.

Carrasco, Carlos (P) 10/03 Out for Season 2017 Fractured fifth metacarpal in right hand Exited start early Sept. 17; in soft cast per Sept. 21 update; transferred to 60-day DL on Sept. 30.

Salazar, Danny (P) 10/24 Any day World Series Mild strain in right flexor musculature Threw simulated game Oct. 16, Oct. 23; included on World Series roster as of Oct. 24 update.

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I think we got this series.

I'm nervous the loveable Cubbies are by far the most dangerous team we've faced so far and in the NO DH NL home field. (They lose either Santana or Napoli when they play in Chicago.)

 

The Indians needs to grab games 1 and 2 before I'll breathe a little bit easier and then we can figure who's pitching next for sure.

 

Oh 3 of the 5 starting pitchers are on the above injury report.

 

GO TRIBE, BIG UNDERDOGS AGAIN!

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TOMMOROW,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,HELL YES

Jon Lester is a great pitcher but so is Cory Kluber, should be wild in Cleveland.

 

.....oh one not so secret weapon MILLER TIME!

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10/25 8:05 PM - WORLD SERIES - GAME 1

 

951 Chi. Cubs open -190 now consensus -110

952 Cleveland open +180 now consensus +100 - Indians opened a BIG underdog, now nearly even

 

Total runs 7 OVER /UNDER

 

Pitchers: (CHC) Jon Lester (L) (CLE) Corey Kluber ®

TV: FOX

 

10/26 8:05 PM - WORLD SERIES - GAME 2

 

953 Chi. Cubs open -110

954 Cleveland open -105 still very close game

 

Total runs - 6½ OVER /UNDER

 

Pitchers: (CHC) Jake Arrieta ® (CLE) Trevor Bauer ®

TV: FOX

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AND FINALLY AS THE INDIANS PITCHING PICTURE HAS CLEARED UP SOME THE ODDS HAVE COME DOWN A BIT......

 

ODDS TO WIN 2016 WORLD SERIES (10/31/16) (vegasinsider.com)

Team Odds

Chicago Cubs 5/9

Cleveland Indians 8/5

 

EXACT GAME ODDS - 2016 WORLD SERIES (10/31/16)

Result Odds

Cubs - 5 Games 3/1 <--- this is the oddsmakers "best bet", Cubs in 5

Cubs - 6 Games 7/2

Cubs - 7 Games 4/1

Indians - 7 Games 11/2

Indians - 6 Games 13/2

Cubs - 4 Games 7/1

Indians - 5 Games 10/1

Indians - 4 Games 30/1

 

So there you go, GO TRIBE! WIN IT IN 4 AND GET 30/1 ;)

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WELL TO THE POINT. ......

 

So watch this Must-C Series.

 

Watch the Indians, who were one of the best baserunning teams in baseball, try to run all over the Cubs. Watch a Cubs club that crushed left-handers (.807 OPS) this season try to do what nobody else has been able to do and score runs off Miller, the ALCS MVP. Watch Miller and Chapman, non-waiver Trade Deadline targets turned October assassins. Watch Francisco Lindor and Javier Baez, former high school opponents who have been making waves on the October stage.

 

Watch Jason Kipnis go up against his hometown team. Watch Ben Zobrist try to win the World Series in two straight years with two different teams from two different leagues. Watch two of the great, game-changing skippers try to gain the tactical edge.

 

But mostly, watch history being made. The awesome October stories of the Cubs and Indians are colliding on the World Series stage.

 

And they're both on the clock.....

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on the Salazar piece, I think Tito has a great 1-2 weapon for game 4. Start Salazar and if it's obvious it's not quite right bring Merritt in. Frankly, I like this option more than going with Kluber on short rest.

Inclined to agree.. But , I'll trust Tito..Manufacturing runs is the greatest tool a Manager can use at his disposal , besides having a stout Bullpen in tow... Of course you need what I like to call "Pesky" hitters in order for this to work. We have that.. And the greatest goddamn manager who is a freakin genious and , dangerousely adept and deft at using it.. Its gonna be a trip boyz!!.. GO TRIBE!!!

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Us in 6...

 

Our 4 will all be stomach churners.

 

Their 2 will be blow outs... Just too good to bottle up for all 6, so funnel all their runs into 2 meaningless games.

 

 

Kluber in Game 4 or 5? When will be out first shot at closing out the series? That's when he goes.

 

 

GO TRIBE!

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Kluber in games 1, 4, 7? If so I'll take the INDIANS in 7! Should be unreal in CLEVELAND, OHIO,

 

GO TRIBE, this is amazing.

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Holy smokes CLE 2-0 end 1st......and this is for keeps folks.

 

Kluber with an early lead.

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Holy smokes CLE 2-0 end 1st......and this is for keeps folks.

 

Kluber with an early lead.

Take all the cheap runs we can get & Kluber's ball has great movement with a little NAZ t

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