Cubs, Indians prepare for a guaranteed date with history in Game 7

Baseball, if nothing else, lends itself to be a poetic game, built on the back of tradition and reverence for its history, in real time. So it is only right that the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians – two franchises that have waited a combined 176 years to see their next World Series title – have a series that goes the entire distance. In all actuality, it would probably be appropriate that this final game even goes into extra frames to sort it out, just to drive the nail of desperation and unavoidable anguish for one side, as far as possible.

One thing that the game does not need is a wasted wording in framing the importance of it. It is Game 7 of the World Series, the definitive sporting stage. Probably the most fantasied about and re-enacted moment of all-time throughout the minds of child and adult alike. Two teams that have traveled different paths through both their respective seasons, and this series, will face off to settle a score rooted both in the present and posterity.

Regardless, history will be made tonight. Neither of these franchises has ever won a Game 7 in the World Series, with the Cubs losing one last in 1945 and the Indians in 1997. So, with Game 7 pending, what new roads could this series take on? Yet likewise, could World Series final game history be echoed again?

For the Indians to succeed

Kluber continues his historic pace

There has been no pitcher that has grabbed control of the series with more emphasis than Corey Kluber has. He has delivered two of the Indians’ three wins in the series, and holding Chicago to one run over 11 innings so far, while striking out 15 and allowing only a single walk.
Kluber could be on the brink of one of the greatest World Series performances of all time, and could become the third pitcher ever to win five games in a single postseason. Even Madison Bumgarner did not start three games in his tremendous 2014 World Series performance, as he made his final impact in relief during Game 7. The last pitcher to make three World Series starts was Chris Carpenter in 2011, who won two of those starts, including the series clinching Game 7.

If Kluber can continue to mystify Cubs hitters, he would become the first pitcher in 48 years to start and win three World Series games. Mickey Lolich last pulled off the feat in 1968, when he pitched the Detroit Tigers to a 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals and Bob Gibson.

And it just so happens that Gibson, like Kluber’s opposition on the mound in Kyle Hendricks, was the MLB ERA leader himself that season, with his legendary 1.12 mark.

A Kluber/Miller collaboration should be the game plan

There have been many starters that have been charged with carrying the bulk of the load in a Game 7 scenario solely on their shoulders. The effort of Jack Morris to win the 1991 Series for the Minnesota Twins is considered to be the greatest pitching performance in World Series history, as he shutout the Braves 10 innings. Such has been the case with Lolich, Sandy Koufax and Johnny Podres in the history of the game, each of whom turned in classic complete game efforts in route to closing out the Series.

It is fairly safe to say that Kluber will not be asked to carry the Indians solely on his own shoulders tonight. Rather, his most important job may be to deliver the game into the hands of Andrew Miller in the best possible shape. Miller has been the most pivotal pitcher in this postseason, allowing a single run over 17 innings in nine games, while striking out 46% of the batters he has faced. After not factoring into Game 6 at all, he will be ready to go at a moment’s notice tonight.

Any notion of what Kluber – or Miller for that matter –  could have left in the tank can easily be referenced back to the most dominant combined pitching effort in Game 7 history, which belongs to the duo of Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling in 2002. The pair started four of the first six games, and then split duty in Game 7, with Schilling taking the first 7.1 innings, before Johnson came in during the eighth inning to close things out, picking up his third victory of the series. The pair split MVP honors that year, which could be a case made for Kluber and Miller as well, if the Tribe pulls it out.

Beat a potentially closer-less pen

For the second game in a row, Joe Maddon made the decision to turn to Aroldis Chapman during the seventh inning to preserve a lead. Despite the fact that the Cubs had a five run lead, the decision was still made to pull the closer into the fray, and it could be a decision that weakens his offering for tonight’s contest. If the Indians offense sets into what has been an inconsistent Cub bullpen, they could find a less than premium Chapman, which leaves the door wide open for late inning theatrics. This would harken back to another deciding game situation, when the 1982 St. Louis Cardinals took down the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 7 knowing that future Hall of Fame closer Rollie Fingers was out of action. While Chapman is not injured, the fact that he could be even a hair less than what he usually is could open a great advantage in late innings.

For the Cubs to succeed

A late call to Lester

Maddon has indicated that Jon Lester will be available to pitch out of the bullpen, which should not be surprising. Lester has already started two games in the series, and despite the fact he has gone winless so far, the Indians are still a lefty-dependent club at some critical parts of their lineup and he presents a substantial upgrade from most other-non Chapman lefties in their pen. In the spots that Mike Montgomery previously has been called on, it could very well be Lester tonight.

It would represent a chance for a late series revival for the Cubs’ ace in the fashion that Walter Johnson received in the 1924 Series. After losing his first two starts, the legendary Washington Senator entered in relief pitched four scoreless innings before the Senators won it in extras. A prolonged look to Lester could definitely be in store, especially if the Indians get to Hendricks early… and even if they do not. All hands on deck means that the World Series vet will definitely be one of the top options to mix things up on the mound tonight as the game advances.

The whole Chapman ‘fatigue’ angle is overblown

Even if he is slightly worn down from more extensive usage, it is not showing in what Chapman is delivering to the plate. Even if his fastball is knocked down a tick, he still has more fastball than any other pitcher in the Series and has to pitch with absolutely no reservations tonight.
The odds should be on the side of the Cubs if they can deliver a winnable game to the late frames and their gun-for-hire in Chapman. He could stand to join the ranks of impressive relief outings in Game 7 history, which is captained by the improbable effort of Pete Alexander in 1926.

Alexander, who is still a renowned drinker some 90 years later, entered the late frames of the ’26 series freshly after winning Game 6 (celebrating it as well). Despite his dubious condition, the 373-game winner notched the only save of his postseason career, and clinched the Cardinals’ first World Series title in turn. So don’t doubt what could be left in the tank for Chapman, for there have been far greater obstacles (self-made or not) that have been overcome before.

Deliver the knockout, early

Every Game 7 is not one of the nail biting variety, and despite who may be on the mound and what they have done before, sometimes an offense just owns it from the start. The Cubs’ bats proved this to be resounding possible on Tuesday night, burying the Indians underneath an avalanche of runs by the third inning and effectively killing the vibe in Progressive Field before it could be answered back. 

In 1985, the Kansas City Royals decimated the St. Louis Cardinals 11-0 in Game 7, scoring five runs by the fourth and sealing the deal with six in the fifth inning. In 1956, the Yankees crushed the Dodgers 9-0 after a pair of two-run Yogi Berra homers. Ironically, in the Cubs last World Series until this year, they lost Game 7 9-3, after the Tigers posted five runs in the top of the first.

These Cubs are capable of a similar type of jump out of the blocks. The Game 6 onslaught was fueled by the combination of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist and Addison Russell combining to go 11-for-19 (.578) while driving in all nine Cub runs. And considering the fact this was done while Dexter Fowler, Kyle Schwarber and Javier Baez only reached base twice, it could have been much worse.

Chicago has the offense to both put a game out of reach or to catch up rapidly with the more tame Indians attack. They could simply bury the Tribe yet again if Cleveland pitching – and more importantly its defense  – is lackluster again. Terry Francona has already admitted his team has to play far more mistake-free games than the Cubs do in order to succeed. Last night was a prime example of how true that statement is.