Big lead doesn’t keep Tribe from using Miller

CHICAGO — The Indians were well on their way to a 7-2 win over the Cubs in Game 4 of the World Series on Saturday night — Jason Kipnis had just hit a three-run homer to give Cleveland a six-run lead in the top of the seventh. They would have a commanding lead of three games to one, needing just one more victory to bring home the franchise’s first championship since 1948.

And, best of all, that meant that manager Terry Francona wouldn’t have to use reliever Andrew Miller. He would have the dominant left-hander fully rested for a potential clinch in Game 5 on Sunday night at Wrigley Field.

• Game 5: Tonight, 8 p.m. ET on FOX

And then Miller came out of the bullpen and pitched two innings.

Game Date Time (air time/game time) Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 25   CLE 6, CHC 0 Gm 2 Oct. 26   CHC 5, CLE 1 Gm 3 Oct. 28   CLE 1, CHC 0 Gm 4 Oct. 29   CLE 7, CHC 2 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

Everything is relative, of course. Wins at this point of the season are precious, and Francona wasn’t going to take any chances. Miller whiffed two, giving him 29 strikeouts this October, breaking the postseason record for most …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com