Chicago Cubs: A return to Cleveland and the World Series

The Chicago Cubs will return to Cleveland to play two games (funny, right?) against the Indians. The Indians are in 1st place in the AL Central, while the Cubs are 4th in their division.

I have to admit, going to Cleveland to play takes me back. The Chicago Cubs needed three wins to come away with the World Series–and somehow? They did. Now we head back to Cleveland for two games, and while the records say different, the numbers don’t quite add up. While the Indians haven’t got the job done at the plate, their pitching has. Their leading batting average? A .237 by Jose Ramirez. They are getting it done with pitching alone. And if the batting comes around? Look out, Cleveland.

The Cubs, on the other hand, are swinging a hot stick. Three players are about .300, and two more are right behind it in Kyle Schwarber (.293) and Javier Baez (.292). Heck, even Jason Heyward is batting .262. The low man on the totem pole? If you said Ian Happ, you’re wrong. Anthony Rizzo with a .146. Yowzers.

The Indians (12-8) will rely on the starters, although they’re coming to a wild-card in Josh Tomlin. Due to a back flare up early on, the Indians have spread out his starts. The Cubs (10-9) will answer with Tyler Chatwood in the first game.

Where they sit: Chicago Cubs

Record:  10-9, 4th in National League Central

Record (Last 10): 5-5

E.R.A: 4.14 (11th in N.L.)

OBP: .348 (1st in N.L.)

Team HR: 20 (11th in N.L.)

Team Leader – WAR: Javier Baez: 1.2 (Fangraphs)

Riding the offensive wave

The Cubs have found sparks of offense, and not where they usually expect it. After Kris Bryant got hit in the head by a pitch, the Cubs would have to make do without him. Bryant had a small laceration over his eye but passed all of his concussion protocol.

Javier Baez once again stole the show, hitting a solo home run in the second–and then added two more with a double to add to his league-leading 23 RBI. Jason Heyward also got into the mix with a two-out single to center.

But defense wins championships

This was a game for the ages, especially for Albert Almora. Almora made three fantastic catches in the field, keeling at least two runs off the board for the Colorado Rockies. It’s not even worth trying to explain them to you. It’s best I just show them to you.

Cubs got help where needed

For the Cubs, it came from everywhere. From Kyle Schwarber to Tommy La Stella, the Cubs got it done in a big way. And for Schwarber–the guy everyone thinks is bound for a DH role? He’s batting .293 with 14 RBI. The same as Heyward. It’s a little frightening, but just think of when the Cubs start putting it all together as a club.

A short, but sweet set of games

It won’t have the World Series feel it had before, but it will no doubt bring the anticipation of it. The Indians Josh Tomlin (0-2, 8.00) will hope to get off on the right foot as he was skipped in his last start. As he recovers from a back injury, it will be a small feat for Tomlin to go the extra mile for his club. If anything, Terry Francona will look to get five innings out of his starter–if that–and turn it over to the bullpen.

The Cubs’ Tyler Chatwood (0-3, 4.60) like what they see out of his pitches. But they’re going to need to see better control from his in this series. Chatwood has walked 14 in 15 2/3 innings. While he will need to contain his walks, it’s more about keeping the pitches in line so he can go at least six innings or more.

Bauer faces off against Lester

In the second game, it will be the Indians’ Trevor Bauer (1-2, 2.67) to face off against the Cubs and Jon Lester (2-0, 3.10).

Bauer, outside of his first start, has gone 7+ innings in his last three starts. He went eight innings against the Royals but took a loss as he allowed just one run on three hits. He followed that up with seven innings, allowing just two runs on seven hits. In his last start, he allowed three runs to the Orioles but took the loss. In all four of his outings, he’s thrown 100 pitches or more in each game.

For Lester, he comes off a strong start in which he allowed just one earned run on two hits against the Cardinals. For the Cubs, Lester should figure to get around 13 wins this season with an ERA under 4.00. For the Cubs, I’d say they would take that.

Cubs, Indians split the series

The Cubs and Indians will come into this series with plenty riding on this. But between the two teams, the two will split the series and go about their merry way. The Cubs will struggle again in Chatwood’s start, as the walks will get to him again. If there is one thing you can say about a team that struggles to score runs? Walks kill. And they will once again do in Chatwood.

Lester, on the other hand, will be brilliant in his time out. And with Bauer having thrown so many pitches in his first four starts, it might come back to bite him in the end. In fact, I might see Lester pulling the ‘bounce pass’ again for another out. Maybe even Lindor?

Next: Schwarber off to a strong start

It’s a short series, but one that will be filled with emotions as the Cubs and Indians will go at it, once again.