Cubs and Indians Split First Two Games of World Series

After being dominated by Cleveland pitching in Game 1 of the 2016 World Series on October 25th, the Chicago Cubs bounced back with their own dominant performance October 26th to even the Series at one game apiece. The Series now moves to Chicago’s Wrigley Field for the first World Series game in that venue in 71 years.

The Indians started ace Corey Kluber in Game 1, and he looked like the Cy young Award winner that he is. Kluber, Andrew Miller, and Cody Allen combined to shut out the Cubs 6-0. Catcher Roberto Perez did his best Gene Tenace impression, hitting a pair of homers and driving in four runs.

The Cubs started Jake Arrieta, their own Cy Young Award winner in Game 2. Arrieta took a no hitter into the sixth inning, the Cubs bats came alive, and the Cubs won their first World Series game since Game 6 of the 1945 World Series with a final score of 5-1.

Speaking of Cubs hitters coming alive, how about Kyle Schwarber? The 23 year old up anc coming slugger for the Cubs suffered an ACL injury back in early April and missed they rest of the regular season and post season through the NLCS. Then it was announced that Schwarber’s rehab had been so successful that he took a few at bats in the Arizona Fall League, and was activated for the World Series, and would serve as the designated hitter in Cleveland. Schwarber had been out nearly seven months, had had only five plate appearances in the majors and a few AFL at bats and was starting in the World Series against a Cy Young Award winner. That was certainly a tall order.

Schwarber was up for the challenge. He was one for three in Game 1, hitting a long double of Kluber. He also showed a good eye at the plate, walking once. In Game 2, Schwarber was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 RBIs. Schwarber had not been medically cleared to play the field, which means he would be limited to pinch hitting duty at Wrigley Field, but the Cubs were having him reevaluated to see if he could play in, presumably, left field where he normally plays. If he gets the OK, expect to see him start in left, with Ben Zobrist moving to right field for the struggling Jason Heyward. Heyward could be in as a defensive replacement late, but Schwarber’s bat is an unexpected bonus that the Cubs will try to utilize as much as possible.

The World Series resumes Friday October 28th.