Kuzul

Get your 3-1 jokes out of the way now.

Thanks to a 9-3 win over the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on Tuesday night, the Chicago Cubs knotted the World Series at three games apiece and will have a chance to cap a comeback of epic proportions in Game 7 on Wednesday night.

The Cubs entered Game 6 having scored five runs over the last three games, but they dwarfed that total by the time the third inning was over.

Kris Bryant opened the scoring with a two-out solo home run in the first inning off Josh Tomlin:

That was just the start of an offensive avalanche, as Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist followed Bryant’s lead with back-to-back singles and the Indians came unraveled when Tyler Naquin and Lonnie Chisenhall misplayed a fly ball by Addison Russell that plated both baserunners.

The New York Post‘s Joel Sherman broke down Cleveland’s first-inning collapse:

As it turned out, Russell had even more left in the tank.

The Cubs loaded the bases and chased Tomlin one out into the third, and Russell stepped to the plate to deliver a decisive blow:

According to USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale, Russell’s grand slam was the first in franchise history in World Series history and the first by any player in the Fall Classic since the Chicago White Sox’s Paul Konerko in 2005.

Cubs starter Jake Arrieta didn’t allow a hit through three innings, but the Indians threatened in a big way when the bottom of the fourth rolled around.

Mike Napoli singled to score Jason Kipnis, who had led off with a double, and Cleveland proceeded to load the bases with two outs. Naquin, however, struck out.

ESPN The Magazine‘s Buster Olney relayed some telling numbers to emphasize just how much the rookie has struggled against Arrieta in the Fall Classic:

Kipnis slammed a solo homer off Arrieta to cut the Indians’ deficit to 7-2 with two outs in the fifth, and Chicago’s starter recorded three more outs before he walked Chisenhall and was pulled in favor of Mike Montgomery. All told, Arrieta allowed two runs on three hits, three walks and one hit batter and struck out nine.

As ESPN Stats & Info noted, that last figure put him near the top of an esteemed list:

Aroldis Chapman—who recorded an eight-out save in Game 5—entered with two on and two out in the seventh, and he induced an inning-ending groundout, beating Francisco Lindor to the bag by a hair, as Fox Sports MLB showed on Twitter:

Chapman also pitched a scoreless eighth, and Rizzo tacked on a two-run shot to right field in the top of the ninth.

With two straight victories in tow, the Cubs now face the possibility of ending their 108-year championship drought in a Game 7 that will feel somewhat familiar, according to NFL.com’s Don Banks:

Per MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat, a team hasn’t come back from 3-1 down and won a World Series on the road since the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979.

But in order to do so, Chicago will need to solve Corey Kluber—who will make his second straight start on three days’ rest in Game 7. In the World Series, Cleveland’s ace is 2-0 and has allowed only one run on nine hits, one walk and a hit batter while striking out 15 over 12 innings.

If Kluber turns in another dominant outing, the Indians will be in line to snap their title drought—which dates to 1948.

The Cubs, meanwhile, will counter with Kyle Hendricks. The National League ERA leader played the role of hero in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, holding the Los Angeles Dodgers to two hits in 7.1 innings, but Chicago lost his only World Series start after Cleveland got to him for six hits over 4.1 innings in Game 3.

So, if recent history is any indication, runs should be at a premium with Kluber and Hendricks on the bump.

In other words, expect plenty of drama as tensions rise with a world championship on the line Wednesday night.

Postgame Reaction

Cubs manager Joe Maddon spoke to Fox Sports’ Tom Verducci about his decision to leave Chapman in for 20 pitches:

Later, Maddon told reporters a certain starter will be available in relief in Game 7, according to Pete Byrne of WSBT in Indiana:

Chapman said he’ll be available to pitch as long as necessary, even though he’s assumed a heavy workload of late, per MLB Network’s Jon Morosi:

Indians manager Terry Francona was upbeat despite the loss, via SportsTime Ohio:

“It’s Game 7,” Francona said, according to Newsday‘s Erik Boland. “You’ve got two really, really good pitchers, and it will be exciting.”

“It’ll be exciting to come to the ballpark tomorrow,” he added, per the Toronto Sun‘s Scott Mitchell. “Shoot, I might just wear my uniform home.”

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It’s not hot-stove season for Major League Baseball just yet, but trade rumblings are starting to crop up with November right around the corner.

When it comes to early trade rumors, most of the teams involved are reportedly seeking the same thing: starting pitching.

Without wasting any time, here’s a rundown of the latest buzz circulating in MLB‘s fall rumor mill. 

Marlins Dangling Adeiny Hechavarria and Derek Dietrich

The Miami Marlins are looking to bolster their starting pitching staff, and they’re reportedly intent on parting with a couple of infielders to improve their depth on the mound.

“The Marlins are expected to consider trade offers for shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria and jack-of-all trades Derek Dietrich in an attempt to acquire pitching,” the Miami Herald‘s Barry Jackson reported Sunday. “They value Dietrich and believe he’s starter-caliber, so Miami would want quality in return.”

While it’s unclear whom the Marlins will target, one scout told Jackson that Dietrich could bring back a potential starter.

“Maybe Hechavarria gets you a No. 4 starter,” the scout added. “[Marcell] Ozuna gets you something pretty good if you want to part ways.”

Dietrich’s versatility makes him an intriguing trade chip, and the fact that he’s coming off the best season of his career at the plate only bolsters his value.

After batting .256 with a .346 on-base percentage during the 2015 season, Dietrich posted a .279/.374/.425 slash line while hitting seven home runs and driving in a career-high 42 runs.

Then there’s Hechavarria, who would be a fine defensive upgrade for a team in need of help at shortstop.

Following 2013 and 2014 seasons that saw Hechavarria post 0.6 cumulative defensive wins above replacement, the 27-year-old posted a 1.6 dWAR mark in 2015 and a career-best 1.7 this past season. 

At the very least, one of those players should help the Marlins land a starting pitcher who can provide relief at the back end of the rotation.

Royals Make Wade Davis Available for Trade

Wade Davis has been one of MLB’s most reliable closers over the past three seasons, but the Kansas City Royals could reportedly look to move the 31-year-old to improve a starting staff that finished ninth among all American League clubs with a 4.21 ERA.

“The Royals intend to pick up Davis’ $10 million option but are open to dealing him,” the Boston Globe‘s Nick Cafardo reported. “A Royals source indicated the team would like to get controllable starting pitching in return. Davis makes sense for a lot of teams, including Boston and Toronto.”

Although Davis has been stellar, it makes sense that Kansas City would want to explore his value on the trade market.

First and foremost, Davis is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after the 2017 season. As a result, the Royals may want to maximize the return on their investment and net a team-controlled starting pitcher in return, as Cafardo‘s source noted.

Additionally, Davis battled right forearm discomfort that sidelined him for half of July and all of August.

Finding a viable No. 3 starter under team control for a one-year rental like Davis could be difficult, but perhaps the Royals can sell a contending team that has starting depth and needs a bullpen upgrade on swinging a deal.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.

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Spending sprees may be a few weeks away for Major League Baseball teams, but impending free agents are already appraising their worth on the open market.

When it comes to the likes of Rich Hill, Yoenis Cespedes and Wilson Ramos, there should be plenty of money tossed around when general managers descend on the winter meetings in National Harbor, Maryland.

As free agency approaches, here’s a rundown of the latest rumors regarding some of this year’s biggest names.

Rich Hill Looking to Capitalize on Surging Value

Hill split his 2016 season between the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Dodgers, but a change of scenery didn’t prevent him from posting gaudy numbers.

Over the course of 20 starts, Hill went 12-5 with a 2.12 ERA, a 0.997 WHIP and 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings.

Thanks to those stellar numbers, the 36-year-old is eyeing a major payday this winter. 

“Could a three-year, $45 million deal be far-fetched for the 36-year-old lefty? It’s the figure major league sources often reference,” the Boston Globe‘s Nick Cafardo reported. “The Dodgers could also make Hill a $17.2 million qualifying offer, which he would likely reject given the limited pitching market.”

A deal that pays out $15 million annually would justify what Hill did throughout the 2016 season, but committing that much money to a pitcher who will be 37 when the 2017 season starts is a risky proposition.

With that said, pitchers of Hill’s caliber are never short on offers when free agency opens. 

A deal approaching $50 million would feel a tad rich, but Hill should be able to field a multiyear offer that exceeds $40 million.

Prediction: Hill signs a three-year deal worth just north of $40 million.

Giants Seeking to Steal Cespedes from Mets?

Cespedes will be one of the hottest names on the free-agent market this year, assuming he opts out of his deal with the New York Mets, and he will reportedly have no shortage of suitors if he chooses to do so. 

One team stands out as a primary competitor for his services.

That would be the San Francisco Giants, according to the New York Daily News‘ Kristie Ackert:

Long before they ended the Mets’ season in the National League wild-card game, industry sources were talking about the Giants as the natural landing spot for Cespedes. They were ranked 28th in the majors in home runs with just 130 and 25th in slugging percentage last year, something that signing Cespedes would quickly resolve. With Angel Pagan a free agent and not likely to be re-signed, they have a vacancy in left field, where Cespedes prefers to play. 

Ackert also noted the Giants have never been afraid to spend on free agents, with Johnny Cueto’s $130 million deal standing out as a primary example.

However, the Mets are still in a good spot even if the Giants pursue a lucrative, long-term deal with the Cuban power hitter.

According to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney, “The Mets’ perception is that, all things being equal, Cespedes would prefer to play for them, something he demonstrated by taking their deal last winter, with less guaranteed money than what Washington offered.”

Considering the success Cespedes has experienced since arriving in New York (48 total home runs, 130 RBI, .554 slugging percentage), he should give the team that gambled on him in July 2015 some preferential treatment as the Mets seek another National League East title.

Prediction: Cespedes re-signs with Mets following intense pursuit by the Giants.

Wilson Ramos Eyeing Long-Term Pact

Ramos had a fantastic 2016 season, hitting .307/.354/.496 with a career-high 22 home runs and 80 RBI. 

However, things came to a screeching halt when he suffered a torn ACL at the tail end of the regular season. Now Ramos is expected to miss a good chunk of the 2017 season as he rehabilitates. 

Despite the setback, Ramos is still looking for a serious commitment from a team in free agency.

Although the Washington Post‘s Jorge Castillo reported the Washington Nationals not offering Ramos a qualifying offer worth $17.2 million “is unlikely but possible,” the catcher’s agent has been adamant that his client is seeking a long-term deal.

According to Castillo, agent Wil Polidor has indicated the catcher “is seeking a four- to five-year contract, which he could secure only if he were to reject the qualifying offer.”

It’s no surprise that Ramos’ camp wants to maximize his value on the open market, but it’s hard to envision a team offering him such a deal.

Rather, it’s more feasible that a team would offer Ramos a prove-it deal that has one guaranteed year and some club options on the back end as protection.

Plus, if Ramos is amenable to signing with an American League club, he could wind up easing a prospective employer’s concerns by serving as a designated hitter.

Prediction: Ramos signs a one-year deal including club option with American League team.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.

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It’s crunch time for the Chicago Cubs. 

Following Friday night’s 1-0 loss to the Cleveland Indians, the Cubs now trail 2-1 in the 2016 World Series and face the prospect of falling behind 3-1 if they can’t solve Corey Kluber on Saturday evening at Wrigley Field.

So as first pitch approaches and tensions in the Windy City grow, here’s a look at when and where you can catch all of the Game 4 action:  

Game 4 Preview

With a chance to take a commanding lead in the Fall Classic, the Indians will hand the ball over to Kluber—who last pitched on short rest in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays.  

Kluber was solid in that outing to the tune of seven strikeouts, four hits and two earned runs allowed in five innings, but the Indians fell 5-1 in Kluber‘s only loss of the postseason to date. 

But this time around, Kluber sounds more confident in his ability to pitch on three days’ rest. 

“The last time was first time on short rest, so I didn’t know what to expect about how I was going to feel,” he said, according to Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes. “Now that I do know I felt fine, it’s just a matter of using those three days to recover.”

And while Kluber is feeling more confident the second time around, so are the Cubs. 

Although Chicago was shut out by Kluber when he went six innings and struck out nine in Game 1, the Cubs appear confident they will have a better approach against the 2014 AL Cy Young Award winner when they hit the field on Saturday night. 

“Anytime you see a guy multiple times in a week, you’re going to feel more comfortable,” Cubs outfielder Dexter Fowler said, according to the Chicago Tribune‘s Mark Gonzales. 

The Cubs will counter with John Lackey, who hasn’t made a postseason appearance since Oct. 19 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

Furthermore, the 38-year-old hasn’t pitched more than four innings in the 2016 playoffs. However, the Cubs aren’t letting those numbers dampen their optimism. 

“I have a lot of faith in John, and I know he’s going to be ready,” manager Joe Maddon said, according to the Chicago Tribune‘s Paul Skrbina. “I never worry about him, man. He has been there, done that, and I know he’ll be ready for (Saturday).”

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Wrigley Field will host its first World Series game since 1945 when the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians square off Friday night with the Fall Classic knotted at one game apiece. If the National League Championship Series was any indication, the atmosphere should be electric.  

“Tomorrow’s going to be unbelievable,” Indians first baseman Mike Napoli said Thursday, according to the Associated Press’ Jay Cohen. “I watched when they clinched to go to the World Series and how crazy it was and seeing the fans in the streets where they had to have police escorts. You could just see the crowd just part ways.”

With excitement building and the Windy City ready to party if the Cubs take a 2-1 lead behind starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks, here’s a look at when and where you can catch all the action: 

What They’re Saying Before Game 3

Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber went 3-for-7 with a double and two RBI as a designated hitter in Games 1 and 2, but his role will be reduced now that the series has shifted back to Chicago. 

With the designated hitter out of play, the Cubs determined Thursday that Schwarber would not be able to play the field after he tore two ligaments in his left knee just six months ago. 

As a result, he’ll be relegated to pinch-hit duty.  

“This is not disappointing at all,” Schwarber said, per the Chicago Tribune’s Mark Gonzales. “It was a long shot at the most. Obviously, I want to be out there for my teammates. It’s the competitor inside me. But facts are facts. I just can’t physically do it. I’ll be ready during the game to pinch hit.”

And according to Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein, it would be too risky for Schwarber to start in the outfield based on the severity of the injury he’s recovering from. 

“Medically, the doctors were very convicted there was too much risk in playing the outfield because of the dynamic actions involved, the instantaneous reactions, the need to cut in the outfield, the dynamic athletic moments that are unanticipated in the outfield,” he said, according to Gonzales. 

With Schwarber out of the starting lineup, Indians starter Josh Tomlin will attempt to tame a Cubs team that rattled off nine hits and chased starter Trevor Bauer from Game 2 after 3.2 innings. 

Take it from Indians manager Terry Francona, though: Tomlin doesn’t figure to be fazed by the size of the stage. 

“You talk about his demeanor, attitude or whatever,” Francona said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times’ Toni Ginnetti. “I just think he’s built to pitch good all the time. I think when you get challenged, like [Friday] is going to be an incredible atmosphere, it feels good to send him to the mound.”

The Indians are 2-0 in Tomlin’s starts this postseason, and his cumulative 2.53 ERA against the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays suggests he’ll be able to find success even though he’ll take the mound in a hostile environment. 

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Wilson Ramos is slated to become a free agent this winter, and he’s reportedly seeking contractual security if the Washington Nationals don’t extend him a qualifying offer worth $17.2 million. 

Continue for updates. 

Ramos Reportedly Eyeing Long-Term Deal 

Friday, Oct. 28

According to the Washington Post‘s Jorge Castillo, Ramos’ agent, Wil Polidor, said the catcher “is seeking a four- to five-year contract, which he could secure only if he were to reject the qualifying offer.”

But after Ramos tore his ACL shortly before the end of the regular season, nabbing a lucrative multiyear deal could prove difficult. 

According to Castillo, it’s “unlikely but possible” the Nationals will extend Ramos a qualifying offer since he will only be available for a fraction of the 2017 season following the ACL tear. 

“We’re going to see what the short-term rehab is,” Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Thursday, per Castillo. “We’ll do all the due diligence on the medicals, which is the most important factor in what our plans are for Wilson. Once we get together with all the medical people that are involved, we’ll have a better idea of where we’re at with Wilson.”

Prior to his season-ending knee injury, Ramos was in line for a hefty raise. 

The 29-year-old put together a career year at the plate for the Nationals, posting a slash line of .307/.354/.496 while hitting 22 home runs and notching 80 RBI. Ramos also recorded a career-high 25 doubles as his OPS skyrocketed to .850 from a mark of .616 the year prior. 

According to Castillo, the Nationals have until five days after the conclusion of the World Series to make a decision regarding Ramos’ qualifying offer. 

Should Washington decide to part ways with Ramos, the backstop could have a hard time selling prospective employers on his long-term viability based on the severity of his knee injury. 

Rather, a club could sign Ramos to a short-term, prove-it deal to see if he’s capable of returning to form before offering him a more lucrative pact.

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The Chicago Cubs were flat as could be in Game 1 of the World Series, but the National League champions struck back with a statement in Game 2, tying up the Fall Classic with a convincing 5-1 win over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday.

And now that both sides have a victory under their belt, the scene will shift to Wrigley Field as the Cubs seek to protect home field and inch closer to their first world championship since 1908. 

But before breaking down how viable a Cubs lead will be with Game 3 on Friday fast approaching, here’s a rundown of when and where you can catch all of the action. 

Preview and Prediction

Fresh off a postseason pitching performance for the ages, Kyle Hendricks will return to the mound Friday night and try to replicate the effort that allowed the Cubs to clinch the pennant in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

In the win, Hendricks tossed 7.1 innings of two-hit ball to give the Cubs all the cushion they needed to set up a showdown with the Indians. 

And if his performance during the playoffs has been any indication, he’ll keep things rolling along Friday night. 

The MLB ERA leader has made three home starts in the 2016 playoffs, allowing a meager nine hits and three earned runs in 16.1 innings en route to posting a 1.65 ERA.

Cleveland will counter with Josh Tomlin, who is 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA to this point in the postseason. And considering it’s been 13 days since he last pitched, the righty should have plenty of juice at his disposal against Chicago’s power-packed lineup. 

Based on Tomlin’s approach against the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox, MLB.com’s Mike Petriello noted the 32-year-old will likely lean on his curveball to keep the Cubs off balance. 

“The only two times in Tomlin’s career that he’s thrown the curve more than 30 percent of the time came in his two 2016 postseason starts—his two most recent starts—against powerful Boston and Toronto lineups,” Petriello wrote. 

Furthermore, Petriello emphasized just how much Chicago struggled against breaking pitches this year: “The Cubs have just a .201 average (the eighth-lowest) on curves, and if you’re now rightfully thinking that you only worry about exit velocity and average when contact is made, well, Chicago had a 32.1 percent contact rate when swinging at curves—which is the lowest in the majors.”

Those numbers should scare Chicago, but if manager Joe Maddon’s club employs the same disciplined strategy against Tomlin that allowed the Cubs to solve Clayton Kershaw in Game 6 of the NLCS, the NL champs could be in good shape. 

Factor in that the Cubs will have a raucous home crowd behind them, and they should be feeling good about their chances of taking a 2-1 series lead. 

“They’re probably just as excited if not more excited than we are to see that game played there,” Ben Zobrist said of the Wrigley faithful, according to the New York Times‘ James Wagner. “It’s been a long time, and they’ve been waiting patiently. They deserve to have these games played there at a Wrigley.”

Prediction: Cubs defeat Indians 4-2 in Game 3.

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Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Danny Salazar hasn’t pitched since suffering an arm injury on Sept. 9 but has recovered enough to be part of the World Series roster.

Continue for updates.

Salazar Added to World Series Roster

Tuesday, Oct. 25

Jordan Bastian of MLB.com noted that Cody Anderson was moved off the roster to make room for Salazar on Tuesday.

“I don’t know if I’m a starter or reliever, but I’m ready,” Salazar told reporters Monday after revealing that Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway told him that he’ll be on the roster for the series against the Chicago Cubs.

Callaway said Salazar could throw 65-70 pitches, via Bastian.

Salazar Throws Simulated Game

Sunday, Oct. 23

Chris Assenheimer of the Chronicle-Telegram provided the latest info on the 26-year-old:

Salazar Provides Indians with Electric Arm When Healthy

Salazar landed on the disabled list in early August with right elbow inflammation that bothered him after the All-Star break, and he returned to the mound on Aug. 18 following 16 days away from the diamond. However, he lasted just five more starts. 

Prior to hitting the shelf, Salazar was one of the American League‘s most imposing forces on the bump. In 17 first-half starts, Salazar posted a 10-3 record, 2.75 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings as Cleveland morphed into a title contender.

However, he faltered in July with a 6.14 ERA in 22 innings, struggling to harness the first-half form that earned him an All-Star nod. He was even worse in August with a 12.41 ERA.

All told, Salazar went 11-6 with a 3.87 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 161 strikeouts and 63 walks as he helped the Indians win the AL Central. 

Cleveland has a depleted stable of arms heading into the World Series, as Carlos Carrasco is out for the season and Trevor Bauer is dealing with hand trouble. Corey Kluber, Josh Tomlin and rookie Ryan Merritt are expected to earn starts, although the addition of a healthy Salazar is a huge boost for the Indians.

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At long last, the 2016 World Series is set. 

While the Cleveland Indians punched their ticket on Wednesday—which feels like an eternity ago—the Chicago Cubs broke through and captured their first National League pennant since 1945 on Saturday with a 5-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field. 

And now that the matchup is official, we can start to pore over the initial odds for this year’s Fall Classic, which have been provided by OddsShark.com: 

Although the Cubs needed six games to put away the Dodgers, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they’re solid favorites to take home their first World Series title in 108 years.

Chicago was a -130 (bet $130 to win $100) favorite to win the World Series following its Game 5 win in Los Angeles, with the Indians holding firm at +160 (bet $100 to win $160).

But now that it’s a sure thing that the Cubs will be representing the NL in the Fall Classic, it makes sense that their odds would increase in a way that reflects their recent play and season-long trends. 

Chicago was the class of MLB all season long and won a league-best 103 games, and the postseason has offered the Cubs a chance to sustain their success despite a few brief hiccups. 

While they once trailed L.A. 2-1, the Cubs mounted a fierce charge and rattled off three straight wins that saw them outscore the Dodgers 23-6 with a couple of strong pitching performances from some of their most dynamic arms. 

Jon Lester was sensational in Game 5, scattering five hits, striking out six and allowing one earned run in seven innings. Then, Kyle Hendricks pitched the game of his life on Saturday, with 7.1 scoreless innings of two-hit ball. 

So while the Indians have wielded the postseason’s most dangerous pitching staff (1.77 ERA, .206 opponent average), the Cubs’ stable of aces can’t be overlooked. 

And if Chicago’s bats get hot, Cleveland could be in real trouble. 

Through nine postseason games, the Cubs have scored a playoff-best 43 runs. Comparatively, the Indians have scored 27 runs in eight games. 

With Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Anthony Rizzo and Dexter Fowler all ready to strike at a moment’s notice, the Cubs have the firepower to supplement one of MLB’s strongest starting staffs and take home a title. 

Based on the way things have played out over the past week, the smart money should be on Chicago to snap the most famous drought in sports. 

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The Chicago Cubs are partying like it’s 1945.

Seventy-one years after the Cubs clinched their last pennant, the National League Central champions set up a World Series date against the Cleveland Indians with a 5-0 Game 6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. It came behind a two-hit gem from starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks, who struck out six hitters in 7.1 scoreless innings at Wrigley Field on Saturday:

The Cubs’ official Twitter account relayed video of the final two outs as they turned a double play to win the National League Championship Series: 

Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw allowed a grand total of two hits in his dominant Game 2 outing, but the Cubs refused to let the three-time Cy Young winner enjoy similar success Saturday.

Dexter Fowler led off the first inning with a double to right, and Kris Bryant brought him home a few pitches later with a single to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead.

The Cubs may have been content with one run in the first, but things took a turn in their favor when left fielder Andrew Toles dropped a fly ball off Anthony Rizzo’s bat, which moved Bryant to third and put two men in scoring position with no outs.

A sacrifice fly by Ben Zobrist allowed Bryant to score, and the Cubs left the first inning with a 2-0 lead.

The deficit represented uncharted territory for Kershaw, as ESPN Stats & Info noted:

Kershaw had tossed 30 pitches by the time the opening frame ended, which represented his highest first-inning tally since 2011, according to ESPN Radio (via the Chicago Tribune‘s David Haugh).

Kershaw escaped the second inning with just 16 pitches, but the Cubs hit him hard. Addison Russell doubled to lead off the second, and Fowler knocked him in three batters later with a single to left.

With the Cubs in possession of a 3-0 lead, ESPN.com’s Jesse Rogers observed that Kershaw did not have his best stuff:

MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy pointed out a statistical disparity that displayed how off Kershaw was:

Meanwhile, Hendricks breezed through the first three innings after striking out five and walking four in an up-and-down Game 2 outing.

The 26-year-old faced the minimum of nine batters through three innings while allowing just one hit, and his command of the strike zone had the Cubs in control, as the New York Times‘ Doug Glanville explained:

Solo home runs by Willson Contreras in the fourth and Rizzo in the fifth put the Cubs ahead 5-0, and at that point, Kershaw was cooked.

With his curveball nonexistent and his slider moving inefficiently, the Dodgers pulled their ace, who allowed seven hits and four earned runs through five innings.

According to the Orange County Register‘s Bill Plunkett, Saturday represented another misstep for Kershaw in a big spot:

Hendricks was brilliant, and his masterpiece set up Aroldis Chapman with five outs remaining.

With their ticket to the Fall Classic punched, the Cubs can turn their attention to the Indians. Cleveland has been off since Wednesday, when it downed the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series.

Although the teams didn’t meet during the regular season, they figure to combine for some theatrics when things get underway Tuesday night at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

While the Indians pitching staff has been the best in the big leagues throughout the postseason, recording a 1.77 ERA while limiting opponents to a .206 batting average, the Cubs have the players to make them pay at the plate.

Considering the Cubs and Indians are seeking to snap championship droughts that span 108 and 68 years, respectively, this year’s World Series should be a sight to behold.

Postgame Reaction

With the pennant in tow, the Cubs took their celebration to the field, as the team’s official Twitter account documented: 

Once the final out was recorded, Rizzo told Fox’s Tom Verducci that he wasn’t letting go of the game ball anytime soon: 

Catcher David Ross was also fired up, as Fox Sports MLB displayed on Twitter: 

“I can’t even describe it right now,” owner Tom Ricketts said, per Haugh. “All I know is we have to win 4 more games.”

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