The Cubs fought back from a 3-1 deficit to even the World Series and force a game seven. Wednesday night, one team will end an epic World Series championship drought. The odds shift back in the Cubs favor for the series now, as they have a 61.4% chance of winning any particular game against the Indians.
This is not any particular game, however. Kyle Hendricks faces Corey Kluber. Hendricks led the National League in ERA, and owns a 1.31 ERA in the 2016 post season. Kluber finished fourth in the AL in ERA in a very tight race, just 0.14 runs off the number one slot. He owns a 0.89 ERA in the 2016 post season Hendricks, with a lower strikeout rate, makes more use of his defense, and the Cubs defense is great. Kluber, with more K than innings pitched, (35 in 30 1/3 innings during the post season), gives the defense a break. With these two on the mound, it’s closer to a 50/50 game.
With John Smoltz in the broadcast booth, I’m sure we’ll be hearing quite a bit about game seven of the 1991 World Series. Smoltz pitched a shutout into the eighth, while Jack Morris went ten innings for the win in a 1-0 game.
This game probably won’t be anything like that.
That’s not to say it won’t be a low scoring, extra inning game, but it’s unlikely either starter will come anywhere near the eighth inning, let alone a complete game. Because game six was a blow out, the Indians rested their big three relievers, and they will pitch as much as needed Wednesday night. Joe Maddon trusts his bullpen less, as he felt he needed to use Aroldis Chapman to defend a five-run lead. I don’t think it’s that big a deal. Chapman pitched a lot in game five, but had a day off. Closers should be able to throw 20 pitches two days in a row. The Cubs might need him to throw 40 pitches, tonight, however, and that might cause trouble.
I’m looking forward to an epic battle. Enjoy!
from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/2fcb4Ho
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