Yan vs Bran: 2019 World Series Preview

The Indians won't be playing in the World Series tonight but two of our former sons will feature, for the Nationals and Astros respectively.

Michael Brantley, of Houston, and Yan Gomes, of Washington, face off for the title in what's set to be a fantastic contest between two truly excellent teams.

Brantley, who spent 10 seasons in Cleveland, enjoyed a fruitful 2019 in his new home of Houston. In 148 games he batted .311/.372/.503 with 22 home runs, 40 doubles and 90 RBI, for an 126 OPS+ and his fourth All-Star selection. I was so sad to see him leave the Indians, as he'd long been my favorite player on the team. I will admit, it hurt to see him play at his consistently superb level in a new uniform, particularly given the Tribe's outfield struggles this year - we could have really used him. If you haven't seen his unbelievable double play in the ALCS yet, enjoy.

Gomes didn't enjoy the same measure of offensive success as Brantley this year, but did control and organize one of the best rotations in the game. An All-Star in 2018, the Brazilian backstop played 97 games this season for the Nats, sharing time with veteran catcher Kurt Suzuki. This platoon has been utilized by manager Dave Martinez into the postseason as well, but Gomes is still expected to flash his elite defensive abilities for the majority of the action. Gomes batted .223/.316/.389 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI, for a disappointing 78 OPS+.

Outside of my support for both Brantley and Gomes, the aspect of the series I'm most excited for is the pitching battles. Both teams boast incredibly stacked rotations and fans aren't expecting a great deal of relief work ahead - just like the old days.

The favored Astros have three legitimate aces they can call upon in Gerrit Cole, Justin Verlander and mid-season acquisition Zack Greinke. At least two of these men will be serious contenders for the AL Cy Young award in the winter.

The Nationals have a trio to reckon with of their own, thanks to Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin. Despite Houston's fearsome lineup of Altuve, Springer, Brantley and Bregman, Nats fans will be optimistic with Strasburg on the mound; in 22 innings of postseason work he's allowed just 4 earned runs thus far.

My personal preference would see the Nationals emerge victorious, despite my love for Brantley. Outside of him, I don't much enjoy the Astro's supporting cast of characters, and Washington's journey has been more fun to follow this season.

A special mention must go to former Indians Asdrubal Cabrera and Joe Smith as well, who will also play some part in the games to come. Infielder Cabrera (Nationals) spent just over 7 years in Cleveland, and Smith (Astros) pitched in relief for most of 5 seasons with the Tribe (with a brief return in 2017).

Even though our current Indians are absent, try and support Brantley and Gomes in the World Series. Once it's all over, we settle in for that excruciating wait until baseball finally returns in March.

Enjoy the show whilst it lasts.

World Series - Game's 6 & 7 - You Already Know How It Ended, Why Hurt Yourself?

They say a picture tells a thousand words and in this case, it's going to have to. After an epic World Series comeback by the Cubs that the baseball media will eulogise for god knows how long, I don't feel particularly motivated to analyse how the Indians lost. I'm proud of this plucky underdog team, who knocked out the big bad Red Sox and Blue Jays, and so very nearly got the best of the Cubs, who were undoubtedly the best team in the majors this year.  But I can't lie and say it's not incredibly disappointing to fall at the final hurdle.

Nevertheless, the Indians will retool over the winter and look for revenge in 2017. The Cubs will celebrate and they deserve to do so, everyone knows they've waited long enough. Cleveland fans had their moment of glory in 2016, their own epic comeback to remember forever (thank you again Cavs). Now Chicago have theirs. But it would have been nice if Cleveland could have had two parades this year.

Thank you for reading and enjoy the off-season.

World Series - Game 5 - Cubs Stay Alive

The Indians had a chance to make history at Wrigley Field last night but couldn't quite edge the home team, as the Cubs prevailed as 3-2 winners to force a game 6 in Cleveland.

In a closely fought contest, the Cubs' skipper Joe Maddon took a page out of Terry Francona's book and used his best reliever at a time when he was needed most, rather than waiting for the final innings. Aroldis Chapman, the man with the 100mph plus heater, entered the game in the 7th and managed to blank the Tribe for 8 outs as the Cubs held on for the win.

After the Indians took an early 1-0 lead thanks to a 2nd inning home run by Jose Ramirez, the Cubs struck back in the 4th. Tribe starter Trevor Bauer had been pitching well up until that point but he was taken apart by Kris Bryant (home run), Addison Russell (RBI single) and David Ross (sac-fly RBI) as the Cubs opened up a narrow lead.

The Indians closed the gap in the 6th inning when Francisco Lindor lined a single into center field to score Rajai Davis to bring the Tribe within a run but that was all the offense could muster for the rest of the night. The press have been focused on the Indians' stellar pitching this postseason, and rightfully so, but Lindor has been sensational as well. The Indians star shortstop has been playing his usual elite defense but has produced with the bat as well, currently leading all postseason players in total hits with 18.

It's obviously disappointing the Tribe couldn't secure the championship at the first opportunity but there are some positives to having a game 6. First and foremost, both game 6 and game 7 will be played in Cleveland and I always think it's so much better to celebrate success in front of your own fans. Also, last night's game didn't see the Indians use Andrew Miller, so he should be ready to go if called upon in game 6 on Tuesday night. And last but not least, if the Indians can't get the job done tomorrow night, then we'll get to see Corey Kluber work his magic on Wednesday in an epic winner-takes-all game 7. As much as I love watching Kluber pitch, let's hope it doesn't come to that, okay Indians?

World Series - Game 4 - One Win Away

Indians' second baseman Jason Kipnis grew up just outside of Chicago, less than 20 miles from Wrigley Field. Raised a Cubs fan, Kipnis always wanted to play in a World Series inside the famous old stadium. However, as an adult he seems to have put any feelings he used to have for the Cubs to one side as he is firmly focused on beating his childhood team.

"I have cousins who are full-on rooting for the Cubs... They’re Cubs fans, and that’s fine by me. I hope to have a great big smile during Thanksgiving and Christmas, and have this to hold over their head, and bragging rights every time I see them. I’d love to just have that little grin on my face knowing that I beat their team. That’d mean a lot to me."

Well Kipnis helped the Tribe get one step closer to making his words become reality as he broke open game 4 of the World Series with a monster 3 run homer into the right field bleachers to put the game beyond Chicago and give Cleveland an opportunity to win their first championship since 1948. The Indians ran out 7-2 winners on the night.

Indians' ace Corey Kluber started for the Tribe and despite gifting the Cubs an early lead on a Anthony Rizzo single in the first inning, he soon settled into his usual rhythm. Kluber lasted 6 innings and gave up 5 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk and he struck out 6 Cubs. Kluber now has a 0.89 ERA during the postseason, the second-best postseason mark in baseball history among pitchers with at least 30 innings in one postseason. The Dodgers' Burt Hooton is the only pitcher who bests him, when he posted a 0.82 ERA over 33 innings in 1981.

Here's a photo of my signed Corey Kluber card just because

Kluber turned the ball over to Andrew Miller to start the 7th inning and Miller struck out 2 in his 2 innings of work, setting a single-postseason record for a reliever with 29 strikeouts, beating Francisco Rodriguez's 2002 record of 28 strikeouts. Miller did see his scoreless innings streak come to an end though, when he served up a solo homer to Dexter Fowler in the 8th inning. Terry Francona opted to rest his closer Cody Allen for the 9th and Dan Otero closed it out instead with a scoreless inning for the Tribe.

The real story of the night was the Indians' lineup breaking out to put the hurt on the Cubs' John Lackey and the rest of their bullpen. The Tribe offense had 10 hits, 3 walks, and Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, Lonnie Chisenhall and Carlos Santana all picked up RBI. Santana's came in spectacular fashion, thanks to a mammoth home run off Lackey in the top of the 2nd inning. Santana's third postseason homer went against a strong wind, but still nestled deep into the right-field bleachers to get the Tribe back in the game.

Overall it was a convincing performance from the Indians and they are now just one win away from winning the World Series. I still can't get over this fact and it feels strange just to say it. Sunday night's Game 5 will see the Indians send Trevor Bauer to the mound on 3 day's rest and he will face off against the Cubs' lefty Jon Lester. I'm not expecting a miracle from Bauer by any means, and whatever happens Cleveland will be going home after this game. But wouldn't it be nice to take the World Series trophy with them on the flight back?

World Series - Game 3 - Tomlin Tames Cubs

The first World Series game hosted at historic Wrigley Field in over half a century didn't have the outcome the home fans wanted, but the Tribe faithful can be elated as Cleveland fought hard for a 1-0 win to take back the lead in the series once more.

It was a bitter night in Chicago and Cubs fans were expecting a win to celebrate the first World Series game at Wrigley Field in 71 years. But not even Bill Murray singing the 7th inning stretch could save the Cubbies as the Indians' timely hitting and remarkable ability to pitch out of jams gave the home team a loss, and Cleveland a 2-1 lead in the World Series heading into game 4.

The Indians sent Josh Tomlin to the mound, and with his father Jerry watching from the stands, the younger Tomlin delivered in the postseason once again. The 32 year-old Texan battled through 4.2 innings of high pressure, shutout baseball and limited the Cubs to just 2 hits, whilst walking 1 and striking out 1 also. Tomlin has been inspirational this October, and has a 1.76 ERA over 15.1 innings of work in 3 starts. With unfavourably windy conditions at Wrigley threatening to punish a notorious fly-ball pitcher like Tomlin, he never let the moment and the elements get to him. There have been a host of impressive and crucial Indians players this postseason and I don't think Tomlin has received quite enough of the credit. He has been essential to this club's success.

Andrew Miller took over from Tomlin in the bottom of the 5th and got the final out, and then proceeded to strike out the side in the 6th, making the Cubs batters look clueless. Miller added to his legacy yet again and now has 15.1 scoreless innings and 27 strikeouts this postseason. He's now a single strikeout shy from tying Francisco Rodriguez's 2002 single-postseason record of 28 for a relief pitcher and his streak of consecutive scoreless innings is a new postseason record for a reliever. At this rate he'll get a statue outside Progressive Field in no time.

Miller was surprisingly lifted from the game in the 7th inning but for good reason. The Indians had started a rally and looked set to score their first run of the night, so the master strategist Terry Francona made his move. With super-utility man Michael Martinez on as a pinch runner at third base and Rajai Davis at first after a walk, the table was set for the Tribe to take the lead. Miller, known for his wipeout slider and not his hitting, was pulled for the pinch-hitting Coco Crisp and the veteran made the most of another big October opportunity. He has been so clutch in the playoffs for the Indians and lined a single into right field that just dropped in front of Cubs RF Jorge Soler. Martinez never hesitated and crossed the plate to make it 1-0 to the Tribe, with Davis getting thrown out at third for good measure. It didn't matter though as the Indians had finally broken the deadlock and didn't intend to let the Cubs mount a comeback.

Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen combined to pitch the final three innings and despite the Cubs doing their best to put the duo to the sword, they couldn't quite get the hit that counted and the home crowd fell silent as Allen struck out Javier Baez on a high fastball to end the game.

The Indians now have the chance to take a commanding 3-1 lead as Corey Kluber will take the mound tonight on short rest after his game 1 victory. John Lackey, a pitcher accustomed to the World Series after trips in 2002 and 2013, will represent Chicago.

World Series - Game 2 - Cubs Even It Up

You didn't think this was going to be easy did you? Unlike the Tribe's ALDS and ALCS opponents, the Cubs were not content to roll over and answered back in game 2 of the World Series, running out 5-1 winners to even the series at one apiece.

Chicago's Jake Arrieta, the 2015 NL Cy Young winner, brought his best stuff to Progressive Field and carried a no-hitter into the 6th inning. The Tribe offense just couldn't get to grips with Arrieta and could never dig themselves out of an early hole. It was a cold night for the Tribe bats and for the fans in attendance. Jason Kipnis was the one to end Arrieta's flirtation with history, hitting a double with one out in the 6th and eventually scoring on a wild pitch.

Trevor Bauer started for the Indians and wasn't very good but wasn't awful either, allowing 6 hits, 2 walks and 2 earned runs in 3.2 innings. He got dinged up early, when Anthony Rizzo doubled to score Kris Bryant in the top of the 1st, and looked to have recovered until he got tagged again in the 3rd, by a Kyle Schwarber single that scored Rizzo. I was hoping he could hold out for longer to save the bullpen but it never materialized. A combination of Zach McAllister, Bryan Shaw, Danny Salazar, Jeff Manship, Dan Otero and Mike Clevinger put in relief appearances but could not stop the bleeding. It was nice to see Salazar back on the mound, even if he did walks 2 guys, but he didn't allow any runs and seemed to have his velocity back which is a huge positive.

This loss was the first time Terry Francona had been on the wrong side of the score in a World Series game. He was 9-0 up until last night, an incredible record. However, it's not over yet and the Indians now travel to Wrigley Field for game 3 on Friday, where Josh Tomlin will face off against Kyle Hendricks.

World Series - Game 1 - Tribe Take Opener

It was a night to remember in the city of Cleveland. The Cavaliers hung their 2015/16 NBA championship banner and the players collected their long sought-after rings, as they topped the Knicks in their season opener. And across the road at Progressive Field, the Indians began their quest to earn their very own championship, by attempting to win their first World Series since 1948. And the hometown team got off to an impressive start, shutting out the Chicago Cubs 6-0 in front of a raucous sell-out crowd.

Both clubs sent their aces to the mound, with Corey Kluber representing for Cleveland and Jon Lester pitching for the Cubs. Lester is a big game pitcher, and has played in two World Series before in 2007 and 2013. He's been on the biggest stage and delivered when it mattered most but tonight he was outshone by Kluber, making his first ever World Series start but you wouldn't know it by looking at his face.

Kluber was utterly dominant, as he shutout Chicago over 6 innings and allowed just 4 hits and no walks. The right-hander from Birmingham, Alabama got off to a hot start, a record setting one in fact, striking out 8 Cubs in the first 3 innings alone. Kluber went on to record a total of 9 K's and picked up the win for his efforts.

He was backed up by an offense who got to Lester early, as the Tribe took a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a Jose Ramirez RBI single and Brandon Guyer being hit by an errant cutter in the leg, forcing home a second run with the bases loaded.

Indians catcher Roberto Perez then proceeded to steal the show. The 27 year-old from Mayagüez, Puerto Rico is having quite a post-season, and in front of millions of viewers he clubbed 2 home runs to put the game beyond the Cubs. Perez's first homer came in the bottom of the 4th inning, a solo shot that just cleared the left field wall to increase the Tribe's lead to 3-0. Then Perez returned in the 8th inning and eliminated any hope Chicago had left, smashing a deep 3 run homer into the left field stands to make it 6-0 to the Tribe. Perez only had 3 home runs in the regular season and has now matched that tally in October alone.

Special mentions must also go to Andrew Miller and Cody Allen for their sterling work out of the bullpen. Miller wasn't his dominant self but still pitched 2 scoreless innings and escaped a few jams, making the Tribe fans sweat a little in the process. Allen pitched the 9th inning and gave up a Willson Contreras double, but he struck out 3 to close out the game with ease.

And just like that the Indians won their first World Series game since 1997. Tonight will see Trevor Bauer pitch against Chicago's Jake Arrieta in game 2, which has been brought forward an hour in an attempt to avoid some incoming rain. I'm not expecting another performance on par with Kluber's but if Bauer can just get through 5 innings relatively unscathed before turning it over to Miler, I'll be happy.

Thanks for reading.