The Chicago Cubs bounced back from an abysmal Game 1 performance to beat the Cleveland Indians 5-1 on Wednesday, leveling the 2016 World Series 1-1 as it heads to Wrigley Field.
Earning a road win is critical for both teams, as each was among the best in the majors while playing at home. Cleveland was tied for the top home record in the American League with the Texas Rangers at 53-28, while the Cubs led MLB at 57-24. Chicago did its part in stealing a road victory, so now the Indians will have to do the same to stay alive in the Fall Classic.
With two games in the books, let's take a look at the updated television and live-stream schedules for the rest of the 2016 World Series.
After Cleveland took the series opener with great pitching and timely hitting, the roles seemed to reverse Wednesday night.
Jake Arrieta nearly matched Corey Kluber's performance in the previous game, with the Chicago starter going 5.2 innings while allowing only two hits and one run. Kluber may have been slightly better in Game 1, going 6.0 innings with four hits and no runs allowed, but Arrieta got off to a historic start, per SportsCenter:
The Cubs' bats also woke up. After going 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position in Game 1 to Cleveland's 2-for-9, Chicago went 3-for-12 Wednesday to the Indians' 0-for-4. This resulted in RBI from four different Cubs in the win.
Another major reason why this series is tied is the re-emergence of Chicago's Kyle Schwarber.
After missing practically the entire regular season with a knee injury, Schwarber battled back in his rehabilitation to make a surprising appearance on Chicago's World Series roster, and the team's faith in the 23-year-old is paying off. Through two games, Schwarber is 3-for-7 with two RBI and a pair of walks, generating two runs in Wednesday's win.
His teammate Kris Bryant, who could be the National League MVP this season, raved about Schwarber's play so far, per CSN Chicago's Cubs Talk:
There is a "plot twist" to this story, though. Per Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, Schwarber has been cleared thus far only to hit and run the bases but not to play the outfield. He only served as the designated hitter through two games, but the team wants to be cautious about rushing him back into the outfield just six months removed from serious knee surgery.
Rosenthal reported that Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein will talk with team doctors Friday, but Epstein said Schwarber will get a chance to impact the game in some capacity during the three-game stretch at Wrigley Field.
"He’s got tremendous strength and flexibility in the knee, as demonstrated by what he’s done out there," Epstein said. "We’ll see. If he does end up playing out there, we’ll make sure he’s smart about it. If he doesn’t, we’ll put him in a big spot (as a pinch hitter) to take one of the most important at-bats of the game."
Having Schwarber in the lineup is critical to helping a Cubs offense that has failed to establish any consistency this postseason. He's been the best hitter for the team through two games this series, and one has to believe Chicago will do everything it can to get him on the field at Wrigley without jeopardizing his future.
For Cleveland, a young star of its own is making some big noise this postseason.
Francisco Lindor continues to be the team's best position player, making an impact at the plate, on the basepaths and in the field. He is hitting 3-for-7 in this series with a double, walk and stolen base, which continues his terrific overall 2016 playoff numbers of a .342 average with four RBI.
The 22-year-old credited his teammates for his success when speaking before Game 2, per Cleveland.com's Paul Hoynes:
I think it has to do with my teammates. Michael Brantley, Mike Napoli, Jason Kipnis, Roberto Perez and Jose Ramirez—all of them.
We've kept that same mentality in the clubhouse, in the dugout and on the field since day one. I'm just trying to do the exact same thing since day one, just somehow get on base. Just find a good pitch to hit and get on base. If I don't get on base, I just try to find a way to help the team win that day.
Cleveland will need Lindor to pace the offense in Game 3, as the Indians have a difficult matchup.
Kyle Hendricks, who led the majors with a 2.13 ERA in the regular season, will take the hill against Josh Tomlin, which seems to favor the Cubs on paper. Tomlin was a decent 13-9 this season with a 4.40 ERA, and he has been good this postseason with wins in both of his starts for 2.53 ERA in 10.2 innings.
However, Hendricks has been excellent all year. He went 16-8 in the regular season, and through three postseason starts, the 26-year-old has allowed just three runs in 16.1 innings.
Chicago seems to have the edge in pitching in Game 3, but Cleveland has proved people wrong all season as it sits in this position despite dealing with a slew of injuries. Thus, it looks like this could be a close, exciting contest in Wrigley's first World Series game since 1945.
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