World Series Game 5 [BCochran]

So? Does tonight do it? Will the curse of the billygoat continue? Will the Indians shake their nearly 70 year drought while the Cubs extend their 100+ year drought?

The Indians won Game 4, 7-2 behind the arm of Corey Kluber and an offense that was quick to take advantage of the opportunities offered.

Beyond the obvious benefit of going up 3-1, the Indians ensured that there will, at worst for them, be a Game 7...and Kluber would be the starter.

I came across this article the other day and I think it's an entirely plausible scenario for a Game 7.

The Cubs actually struck first in the bottom of the 1st by scoring 1 run off of a Fowler double to lead off and then a Rizzo single. Alas for Cubs fans, Cleveland immediately responded with 2 in the top of the 2nd via a Santana solo HR and a Kluber, yes Kluber, infield single. They extended the lead to 3-1 in the 3rd with back to back hits from Lindor and Kipnis. A sacrifice fly in the 6th added another run, but the death stroke came in the 7th when Kipnis crushed a 400ft, 3 run, bomb to right field. Fowler tried to rally the Cubs with a lead off HR in the 8th, but it was too little too late.

Kluber was not at his best, but was still plenty good enough. 6 innings, 5 hits, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts, 1 run. The man now has a 0.89 ERA in the postseason, to go along with a WHiP of 0.99. He's 2-0...in the World Series. Truly impressive.

Lackey was ok, but not great. 5 innings, 4 hits, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts, 3 runs (2 earned). Montgomery, Wood, and Grimm all were touched up out of the bullpen with each giving up at least 1 run.

So everything is on the line tonight for the Cubs. Win or go home. The Cubs pin their hopes on Jon Lester's experience and the hope that Bauer still isn't fully healed up. Lester has a ton of playoff experience, and solid postseason numbers this year, but he didn't have great control in Game 1 and it cost him. He's publicly said that he needs to really focus on getting ahead in the count early. I've seen Bauer described as "swagger filled" and his loss in Game 2 doesn't seem to have slowed him down. When asked about pitching the potential clincher in Chicago, "The best part of it is hearing them all leave silent."

My prediction for the evening? Cubs win and fly their "W". Lester's experience wins out over Bauer's...youthful exuberance. Plus I don't think you can keep Chicago's offense down. They're going to break out and score some runs. I think they'll do so tonight.

Sorry for the shorter post, but I have a sickly feeling younger Drunken Midget and the biggest outreach function of the year tonight at church. And let's be honest, as Morons we're all about the comments, not the post.

Enjoy the post, enjoy the game.

Thanks, as always, to MisHum and Ace.

Please be kind to us baseball junkies. Politics above or below.

PLAY BALL!

posted by Open Blogger at 08:03 PM

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