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Heading home, Indians remain in driver’s seat
- Updated: October 31, 2016
CHICAGO — The Cleveland Indians have not been derailed. It is much more likely that they have merely been delayed.
On the brink of their first World Series championship in 68 years, the Indians dropped a 3-2 decision to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday night. That was disappointing, but on the other hand, the Indians will take a 3-2 Series lead home to Cleveland for Game 6 on Tuesday night.
• World Series Game 6: Tuesday, 7:30 ET air time | 8 ET game time on FOX
The Cubs, who have scored only 10 runs in five games in this Series, managed to bunch three in the fourth inning off Cleveland starter Trevor Bauer. That was all they got for the entire evening, but that was one more than the Indians. The Cubs took no chances, using closer Aroldis Chapman for 2 2/3 innings, the longest relief outing of his Major League career.
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 CHC 3, CLE 2 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
Here is what there is to like about the Indians’ chances, beyond the obvious fact that they are ahead in the series and will be playing at home:
• Shop for Indians World Series and AL champs gear
They have come this far behind two starting pitchers, one of whom has been pitching very well. The other one has been pitching at a level that is historically great.
Josh Tomlin is the scheduled Game 6 starter. He is 2-0 with a 1.76 ERA in three starts this postseason. True, he has accumulated just 15 1/3 innings, but with the way Cleveland’s bullpen has performed, long starts have not been a necessary component for this club to succeed.
If the Series goes to Game 7, the Indians’ starter would be their ace, Corey Kluber, who is 4-1 with a 0.89 ERA in five starts this postseason. This is the second-best postseason ERA …
