Game 7 of the World Series will wrap up the 2016 MLB season on Wednesday night in Cleveland.
The fate of the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs will come down to one night at Progressive Field in Cleveland, and for two fanbases, it will be either one of two scenarios. One will end either a 108-year or 68-year drought and have a historic celebration. Meanwhile, the other will have another year of heartache and a winter spent wondering what went wrong this past week.
With the Cubs, they will have their third best pitcher in Kyle Hendricks starting the game. Hendricks has been very good and will likely get some Cy Young consideration for his 2016 season.
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But he will be opposing a pitcher who’s been lights out this October and in this World Series in Corey Kluber. The former American League Cy Young winner has been everything the Indians have needed in an ace during this series; keeping the Cubs offense from spraying the ball all over the field; something Josh Tomlin couldn’t do in Game 6 with a chance to close out the series.
Kluber was dominant in Game 1 and giving Cleveland a quick 1-0 lead in the series and then on short rest, gave another dominating performance in Game 4 to put the Indians ahead 3-1 in the series. Now, Cleveland needs one more big game performance from their ace.
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With a possible win, Kluber has a chance to do what very few pitchers have been able to accomplish. He could be the first pitcher since Randy Johnson to win three games in a World Series, as the Big Unit did against the New York Yankees in 2001. Johnson started two of them and came into relief for Game 7.)
Kluber will also look to become the first pitcher to win two games pitching on three days rest; something that was also last done in the 2001 World Series by the other World Series MVP of that series; Curt Schilling. It’s good company for Kluber to have if he’s up for the task.
The Indians have had two attempts to close this series out, but have yet to do it. But on Wednesday night, the Tribe will have their big gun on the mound. The guy you pay big money for.
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When you think of who you want on the mound for Game 7; the likes of Chris Carpenter, Jack Morris, Sandy Koufax and Madison Bumgarner; plus Johnson and Schilling, are immediately thought of.
Kluber could instantly join that group and forever be known as a postseason hero and Cleveland icon if he can get the Indians their first World Series crown in 68 years.In a big game like this, he’s precisely the guy you want on the mound taking the ball in what will be the biggest game in franchise’s history. And tonight, all of Cleveland will want Kluber to be the guy for one more night.