The Chicago Cubs even the World Series with game two victory

The Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians in game two of the World Series to even the series at 1-1 heading to Chicago.  The game took place at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on Wednesday night and the final score was 5-1.  Jake Arrieta started for the Cubs and pitched very well and their bullpen shutdown the Indians.  Ben Zobrist and Kyle Schwarber led the offense with two hits each.  Trevor Bauer pitched ok, at least he made it out of the first inning this time and the bullpen was pretty good but not great for the Indians.  Mike Napoli led their offense with a couple of hits. 

Arrieta pitched 5 2/3 innings giving up two hits and a run with three walks and six strikeouts and he earned the win.  Mike Montgomery pitched two innings giving up two hits and no runs with a walk and four strikeouts and Aroldis Chapman pitched 1 1/3 innings giving up a walk and he struck out two. 

Bauer pitched 3 2/3 innings giving up six hits and two runs with two walks and two strikeout and he took the loss.  Zach McAllister pitched 2/3 of an inning giving up a hit and two runs with a walk and two strikeout, Bryan Shaw pitched 2/3 of an inning giving up a hit and an unearned run with two walks and two strikeouts and Danny Salazar pitched an inning walking two batters.  Jeff Manship pitched 1/3 of an inning giving up a hit and he walked one, Dan Otero pitched 1 2/3 innings striking out one and Mike Clevinger pitched an inning with a strikeout. 

Dustin Fowler had a hit, Kris Bryant had a hit and Anthony Rizzo had a hit, an RBI and drew two walks.  Zobrist had two hits, an RBI and drew a walk, Schwarber had two hits, two RBI and drew a walk and Javier Baez had a hit.  Willson Contreras drew two walks, Jorge Soler drew a walk and Addison Russell had a hit, an RBI and drew a walk.  Rizzo hit a double, Zobrist had a triple and the Cubs were 3-12 with runners in scoring position and left 13 men on base. 

Jeff Kipnis had a hit, Francisco Lindor drew a walk and Napoli had two hits and drew a walk.  Jose Ramirez drew a walk, Brandon Guyer had a hit and drew a walk and Roberto Perez drew a walk.  Kipnis hit a double and the Indians were 0-4 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base.  Kipnis committed two errors. 

In the first Rizzo hit an RBI double to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead.  In the third Schwarber hit an RBI single to push the Cubs lead to 2-0.  Zobrist hit an RBI triple in the fifth and it was 3-0 Cubs.  Schwarber hit an RBI single and the lead was extended to 4-0.  Russell drew an RBI walk still in the fifth and it was 5-0 Cubs.  In the sixth a wild pitch made it 5-1 but that would be the final score. 

The series is tied at 1-1 with an off day on Thursday.  The series will resume on Friday night in Chicago.  Kyle Hendricks will face off against Josh Tomlin.   

The Cleveland Indians win game one of the World Series

The Cleveland Indians defeated the Chicago Cubs in game one of the World Series on Tuesday night.  The game took place at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio and the final score was 6-0.  Corey Kluber started for the Indians and he was awesome.  Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez led their offense with three hits each.  Ben Zobrist led the Cubs with three hits.  Jon Lester pitched just ok for the Cubs. 

Kluber pitched six innings giving up four hits and no runs with no walks and nine strikeouts and earned the win.  Andrew Miller pitched two innings giving up two hits and two walks and he struck out three and Cody Allen pitched an inning giving up a hit and striking out the side. 

Lester pitched 5 2/3 innings giving up six hits and three runs with three walks and seven strikeouts and he took the loss.  Pedro Strop pitched 2/3 of an inning and had a strikeout, Travis Wood pitched to one batter and retired him and Justin Grimm pitched an inning giving up two hits and two runs with a walk and a strikeout.  Hector Rondon pitched 1/3 of an inning giving up two hits and a run. 

Rajai Davis had a hit, Lindor had three hits and Mike Napoli drew a walk.  Carlos Santana drew two walks, Ramirez had three hits and an RBI and Brandon Guyer had an RBI and drew a walk.  Lonnie Chisenhall had a hit, Roberto Perez had two hits and four RBI and Ramirez, Lindor and Davis each hit a double.  Perez hit two homeruns.  The Indians were 2-9 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base.  Lindor had a stolen base and was caught stealing. 

Kris Bryant drew a walk, Zobrist had three hits and Kyle Schwarber had a hit and drew a walk.  Javier Baez had a hit, Willson Contreras had a hit and David Ross had a hit.  Zobrist, Schwarber and Contreras each hit a double and the Cubs were 1-11 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base. 

In the first Ramriez hit an RBI single to give the Indians a 1-0 lead.  Guyer was hit by a pitch and it was 2-0 Indians.  In the fourth Perez hit a solo homerun to extend the Indians lead to 3-0.  Perez hit his second homerun of the game in the eighth to make it 6-0 and that would be the final score of the game. 

The two teams will play game two of the series on Wednesday night before shifting to Chicago for the middle three games of the series over the weekend. 

The 2016 World Series is set

The Cleveland Indians disposed of the Toronto Blue Jays in five games and were waiting for their opponent.  The NLCS went to game six and on Saturday night in game six the Chicago Cubs finally made the World Series.  It had been 71 years since the Cubs last won a NL pennant in 1945.  The Cleveland Indians haven't been there since 1997 but haven't won a title since 1948.  The Chicago Cubs haven't won a title since 1908.  It should be a great World Series. 

The Cubs have been the sports best team all year and I still believe they are and will be the favorites.  The Indians though should not be overlooked.  The Cubs have a great manager in Joe Maddon but the Indians Terry Francona  is a master in the postseason for sure.  The pitching of the Cubs is probably a little better because they are healthy and the Indians aren't but the Indians staff has done a good job in the postseason.  I would give the Indians the edge out of the bullpen especially with their X factor Andrew Miller.  The Cubs have Aroldis Chapman who is really good also but is their closer.  They were teammates for most of this year with the New York Yankees until they were both traded at the deadline.  It is very compelling that they will now be meeting again as enemies in the World Series. 

I am going to go with the Chicago Cubs in six games but it should be a good, fun series.  I think with the Cubs the ratings will be up and for the casual fans that don't know that much about either of the teams they will be in for a treat.  Very good young ballplayers on both sides.  Javier Baez for the Cubs and Francisco Lindor for the Indians will be two guys to watch.  Another thing to watch is the rumor has it that Kyle Shwarber who has been out all season will be returning to be the DH in the AL park.  We shall see on Tuesday night in Cleveland if that is true.  I can't wait for this series to get going.