Lester outdueled as bats turned away in G1 loss

CLEVELAND — Waiting for next year has been an unfortunate tradition for the Cubs and Indians for the past seven decades. On Tuesday night, with a cool October breeze blowing through Cleveland and a pair of long World Series droughts endangered, next year had finally arrived.

Ace Corey Kluber and catcher Roberto Perez saw to it that history is now on the Indians’ side. In a 6-0 victory over the Cubs in Game 1 of the Fall Classic, Kluber sliced his way through Chicago’s lineup in a vintage performance, and Perez launched a pair of home runs. Kluber set a World Series record with eight strikeouts in the first three innings and kept his foot on the gas for the duration of his overpowering outing, outdueling lefty Jon Lester.

• Game 2: Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET game time on FOX (6 p.m. ET pregame show on FS1)

The win was the first in the World Series for the Indians since Game 6 in 1997 against the Marlins, who broke Cleveland’s hearts with a win in Game 7. For the Cubs, who have not won a championship since 1908 — 40 years before the Indians’ last title in ’48 — their wait continues. Not since Game 6 of the 1945 Series against Detroit has Chicago won a World Series affair.

Game Date Time (air time/game time) Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 25   CLE 6, CHC 0 Gm 2 Oct. 26 7 p.m. (6 p.m. pregame show on FS1) CHC @ CLE FOX Gm 3 Oct. 28 7:30 p.m./8 p.m. CLE @ CHC FOX Gm 4 Oct. 29 7:30 p.m./8 p.m. CLE @ CHC FOX *Gm 5 Oct. 30 8 p.m. CLE @ CHC FOX *Gm 6 Nov. 1 7:30 p.m./8 p.m. CHC @ CLE FOX *Gm 7 Nov. 2 7:30 p.m./8 p.m. CHC @ CLE FOX * If necessary | All times listed ET • World Series coverageShop for postseason gear: Cubs | Indians

The Indians, who have been one of baseball’s best teams at home all season long, improved to 8-1 in the postseason …

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