Corey Kluber was electric in his first two World Series starts, and the Cleveland Indians will hope he can do it a third time to bring the franchise its first title since 1948.
While the Chicago Cubs carry the weight of over a century without a World Series triumph, the pressure is squarely on the Indians, who are on the verge of throwing away a 3-1 series lead.
Cleveland manager Terry Francona set up his starting rotation so as to have his ace on the mound in a decisive Game 7. Kluber has been great so far, but he's pitching on short rest for the second time in the Fall Classic.
Against a Cubs lineup that is getting back to its best, the 2014 Cy Young Award winner could be in trouble.
Below are a handful of prop bets for Game 7, courtesy of Odds Shark, followed by a preview of the pivotal matchup.
World Series Game 7
When: Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
Viewing Info: Fox, Fox Sports Go
Odds (via Odds Shark): Cubs (-117), Indians (+107)
Game 7 Prop Bets
Game 7 Preview
Starting pitching will be the decisive factor Wednesday night.
In the last two games, Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin combined to allow nine earned runs in 6.1 innings. In comparison, Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta went 11.2 combined innings and surrendered four earned runs.
Lester and Arrieta left with the lead, which rendered Cleveland's best asset—the bullpen—ineffective. Andrew Miller and Cody Allen have been devastating in the postseason, but they can't help the Indians much if they're entering a game with their team down.
That's why it's imperative for Kluber to keep Chicago off the board for five—potentially even four—innings before he hands the ball over to the bullpen.
The silver lining from Games 5 and 6 for the Indians was that Miller didn't pitch whatsoever. Allen, meanwhile, went 1.2 innings in Game 5. Both should be available to handle multiple innings Wednesday night.
Indians fans are feeling a bit uneasy after Cleveland lost the last two games. The Akron Beacon Journal's Jason Lloyd is thinking optimistically:
On the other side, Cubs fans will be confident with Kyle Hendricks taking the mound. The 26-year-old right-hander had a somewhat shaky start to the postseason but has allowed one earned run in 17 innings across the World Series and National League Championship Series.
Despite the massive stakes of Wednesday's game, Hendricks is doing his best to treat Game 7 like any other start.
"Taking that same, ruthless approach, every day, every single start, even in the regular season," he said, per the Chicago Tribune's Paul Skrbina. "So that when you get to these big moments, it's basically like it has been the whole year."
Jon Lester can pitch out of the bullpen if necessary, which may be risky. MLB Network's Jon Morosi noted the left-hander hasn't come on in a relief role in nearly a decade—the 2007 American League Championship Series.
Like Francona, Cubs manager Joe Maddon will want Hendricks to pitch deep enough into Game 7 that the bullpen can take over around the fifth or sixth innings and finish things off.
Maddon took no chances in Game 6, using Mike Montgomery for an inning and Aroldis Chapman for 1.1 innings. Chapman's workload could be an issue after he went 2.2 innings in Game 5, as well. Still, Montgomery and Chapman will be called upon if Chicago is ahead Wednesday night.
Whomever wins the head-to-head matchup between Hendricks and Kluber will likely bring the Commissioner's Trophy to his respective team.
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