Game 5 matchups, decisions and trends to watch

When the Indians and Cubs square off in Game 5 of the World Series tonight at Wrigley Field, it could lead to the crowning of a new champion or the start of a legendary comeback.

For Cleveland, which won Game 4, 7-2, on Saturday night at Wrigley Field, a third consecutive road victory would bring the franchise its first World Series title since 1948. For Chicago, a win would push the Series to Game 6 back at Progressive Field and keep hope alive for breaking a 108-year championship drought.

• Game 5: Tonight, 8 ET on FOX

Here is a breakdown of what to watch for in Game 5:

STARTING PITCHERS

Indians RHP Trevor Bauer: The 25-year-old took the loss in Game 2, when he threw 87 pitches over 3 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks.

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

Bauer must start on short rest for the first time in his career in front of a partisan crowd at Wrigley Field. While Cleveland doesn’t necessarily need him to go deep into the game, it would help if Bauer could improve upon his ratio of 4.8 pitches per plate appearance in Game 2. That was a full pitch more than his regular-season rate.

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