The scene at Wrigley Field was one of pure elation for both the players and the fans.
Fist-pumps, hugs and high fives were doled out in large doses as the Chicago Cubs secured their 17th National League pennant in franchise history and their first trip to the World Series since 1945. That 71-year drought between pennants was a record in Major League Baseball – their 108-year drought since their last World Series win still stands.
With that in mind, it’s fitting that their opponent for the 112th playing of the World Series is the Cleveland Indians, a team who also knows it’s fair share about postseason droughts. The Indians are second – only to the Cubs – with 68 years separating their last title to the one they’re chasing in 2016.
The Cubs weren’t a shock to the make the playoffs, although it might have been a shock what they did in the regular season. Finishing with the best record in the MLB (103-58) for the year, they not only won their division but also notched the highest winning percentage (0.640) while becoming the only team in 2016 to surpass or even reach 100 wins.
After getting getting shut out by the New York Mets 4-0 in the NLCS last year, the Cubs vowed revenge. As a team, they had the lowest ERA (3.15) while posting the best defensive efficiency rating (.731) of 2016. Two of their pitchers (Hendricks, 2.13; Lester, 2.44) had the two best ERAs in all of baseball and Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo combined for 71 homers between them.
Against the Dodgers on Saturday night, they were surgical, precise. In the bottom of the first, a Kris Bryant single scored Dexter Fowler before a Ben Zobrist sac fly brought Bryant home. From there, Fowler singled to allow Addison Russell to make it 3-0 in the second before two big flies, from Wilson Contreras and Anthony Rizzo respectively, locked up the Cubs 5-0 win in the bottom of the fifth.
That phenomenal pitching I mentioned before? Kyle Hendricks threw a shutout in 7.1 innings, allowing only two hits while striking out six. His opponent on the mound – superstar Clayon Kershaw – was pulled after only five innings of work after allowing seven hits, five runs and two home runs.
The Cleveland Indians certainly had a turnaround year, though, and also clinched their division after finishing just above .500 (81-80) last season. Their much improved record of 94-67 in 2016 can also be put down in part to their great pitchers, as the Indians held the seventh best ERA (3.84) in the majors as a team. Corey Kluber posted a 3.14 ERA for the regular season to go along with 18 wins. Jose Ramirez hit .312, with Mike Napoli and Carlos Santana both registering 34 homers on the year.
They’ve certainly had an easier run of it in the postseason too. In comparison to the Cubs’ three dropped games so far, the Tribe only has a lone loss in eight games played. In the ALCS, Kluber pitched just over six innings in Game 1 against the Blue Jays, fanning six in a 2-0 shutout.
In Game 2, Josh Tomlin struck out six before Andrew Miller punched out another five for a 2-1 victory. In Game 5, another shutout awaited, as Cleveland clinched the pennant with a 3-0 victory courtesy of a Napoli double, homers from Santana and Coco Crisp and a three-hit performance from Francisco Lindor.
Going forward, we know the Cubs can score. They posted 17 runs in their NLDS series against the Giants and improved that number to 31 runs scored against the Dodgers in the NLCS.
They’ve shown resiliency too – who can forget their amazing comeback in the ninth against the Giants in Game 6, setting a new record for the largest comeback in postseason-clinching history?
The Indians outscored the Red Sox 15 runs to seven in their 3-0 drubbing of the side in the ALDS, including a 6-0 shutout in Game 2. The only knock on them would be their inability to muster any late-game offense should they fall behind, with all of their runs this postseason coming in the sixth inning or earlier.
However, they may not need it if they show the killer instinct they showed against Toronto.
Whoever wins this World Series will be breaking an incredible drought, and given what’s on the line, I know that we’re in for some incredible games of baseball.
Why not build your own fantasy team? Take on other players for a chance to win cash prizes on your favourite sports. Try out Draftstars and PlayUp to put your money where your mouth is! What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
Nikola Jokic has scored 32 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead defending NBA champions Denver past LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers…
LeBron James is going back to the Olympics for the first time in 12 years. Steph Curry is headed to the games for the…
The extraordinary episodes after his life as an American Football hero quite overshadowed the career of O.J. Simpson, who has died at the age…
Minnesota Timberwolves fans have endured plenty of pain in their 35 years of being a laughing stock in the NBA. In all that time,…
NBA award season is just around the corner and while history beckons for Nikola Jokic, this could be the first time LeBron James misses…
The pendulum has swung way too far towards offence in the NBA and the referees are finally doing something about it. After the three-point…
