World Series preview: Cubs and Indians try to end lengthy droughts

The stage is set! It took 162 regular season games, and an intense postseason, but the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians are going to meet in the World Series. No, that’s not a typo … it’s actually happening!

With that said, you can’t really blame fans of those teams for staring at the above sentence in disbelief. Sure, the Indians and Cubs have proved themselves to be baseball’s best teams this season, but both franchises have a long history of losing.

The Indians come into the matchup in the midst of a 68-year championship drought. The franchise last hoisted the World Series trophy back in 1948. The Indians have appeared in the World Series three times since then. They were swept 4-0 by the New York Giants in 1954 and were defeated 4-2 by the Atlanta Braves in 1995. Cleveland also lost a heart-breaking seven-game series to the Florida Marlins in 1997. That level of ineptitude is so impressive that you have to laugh.

Of course, the Indians’ title drought pales in comparison to the Cubs’. It’s been 108 years since the Cubs have hoisted the World Series trophy. It’s been 71 years since they’ve even appeared in the World Series. Between 1909 and 1945, the Cubs went 0-7 in the World Series.

In a way, it’s fitting that even Cleveland’s misery is overshadowed in this matchup. The Cubs were viewed as the best team in baseball all the way back in December. They never relinquished that title, either. Chicago got off to a tremendous start and never took its foot off the gas. The team finished the regular season with a league-high 103 wins. They were baseball’s Goliath.

Does that mean the Indians are playing the part of David? While many expected Cleveland to contend this year, the club has had to overcome quite a bit to reach the World Series. The club managed to unseat the reigning champion Kansas City Royals in the American League Central despite having outfielder Michael Brantley for just 11 games. Injuries struck again in September, as the team lost both Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar right before the playoffs. Those losses would have sunk even the best clubs, but Cleveland continues to overcome the odds.

They’ll have to do so once again to take home the World Series trophy. The Indians come into the series as huge underdogs according to the oddsmakers.

After playing the underdog role all postseason, will the Indians’ magic last four more games? Or will the Cubs give fans on the North Side of Chicago a feeling they’ve never experienced? In just a few days, one long-suffering fanbase is going to reach the pinnacle of sports fandom. The other … well … at least they’ll be used to it.

SCHEDULE
Game 1: Tuesday, Oct. 25, in Cleveland, 8 p.m. ET (TV coverage on Fox)
Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 26, in Cleveland, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)
Game 3: Friday, Oct. 28, in Chicago, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)
Game 4: Saturday, Oct. 29, in Chicago, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)
Game 5*: Sunday, Oct. 30, in Chicago, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)
Game 6*: Tuesday, Nov. 1, in Cleveland, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)
Game 7*: Wednesday, Nov. 2, in Cleveland, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)
*if necessary

PREVIOUSLY
There actually is no previously for the Cubs and Indians since they didn’t face each other in 2016. They did play a four-game interleague series in 2015, which they split 2-2. Even though that was last year, there are a few interesting nuggets. Trevor Bauer and Jake Arrieta faced off in the first game of the series, and while Bauer pitched seven scoreless innings, Arrieta gave up four runs on three hits and only lasted five. In the second game, the Cubs made up for being blanked by the Indians by scoring 17 runs and shutting out their opponents.

The final game of the series featured a preview of Game 1 of the 2016 World Series. Corey Kluber took on Jon Lester, and both players pitched their brains out. Kluber went 7 2/3 innings and allowed one run on four hits, and Lester went 8 2/3 innings, allowing one run on six hits.

Those games were all played well over a year ago, and things have changed for both teams. But they’ve both had ample time to scout each other this postseason, so they’re going in with their eyes open. (Liz Roscher)

PITCHING
Game 1: Jon Lester (19-5, 2.44 ERA) vs. Corey Kluber (18-9, 3.14 ERA)
Game 2: Jake Arrieta (18-8, 3.10 ERA) vs. TBD
Game 3: TBD vs. Kyle Hendricks (16-8, 2.13 ERA)
Game 4: TBD vs. John Lackey (11-8, 3.35 ERA)
Game 5*: TBD vs. TBD
Game 6*: TBD vs. TBD
Game 7*: TBD vs. TBD
*if necessary

The Cubs boast one of the best, and deepest, rotations in the game. Because of that, John Lackey, who would easily be the No. 2 starter for the Indians, will pitch in Game 4. He’ll pitch after postseason hero Jon Lester, reigning National League Cy Young Jake Arrieta and current Cy Young contender Kyle Hendricks have already taken the mound for Chicago.

Cleveland came into the year with that same level of depth, but injuries decimated the club’s rotation just before the start of the postseason. Corey Kluber is the club’s ace and will oppose Lester in Game 1. After that, uncertainty creeps in. Manager Terry Francona has said Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin will start Game 2 and Game 3, but has not revealed the order of his rotation just yet. Tomlin is coming off an exceptional performance against the Toronto Blue Jays, while Bauer lasted two-thirds of an inning in his last start due to a finger injury.

Because of that, Bauer remains a huge question mark. No one really knows how his finger is doing and whether it has healed enough for him to pitch deep into a game. With all that uncertainty, it could make sense for Francona to go with Bauer in Game 2. If his start turns into another bullpen game, the Indians’ relievers will have a day to recover as the club travels to Chicago for Game 3.

Game 4 also presents an interesting dilemma for Francona. If Cleveland is down, he could opt to throw Kluber again on short rest. If they are up, he might go with rookie Ryan Merritt, who dazzled in first-ever postseason start during the American League Championship Series.

Or he could go with Danny Salazar. The 26-year-old righty has been working his way back from a forearm injury, but recently declared himself “100 percent.” If true, that could be a major boost for the Indians’ rotation. Salazar, however, hasn’t pitched in a major-league game since September 9. Going with Salazar in Game 4 is as high-risk, high reward as it gets.

Given the streak they are on, Cleveland’s bullpen deserves the nod over Chicago’s relievers. Andrew Miller has been an absolute monster during the postseason, and Cody Allen hasn’t been far behind. Their ability to take over games and pitch for multiple innings has already singlehandedly won some games for Cleveland.

With that said, you can’t sleep on the Cubs’ late-inning options. The club boasts five pitchers who struck out more than a batter per inning during the regular season: Aroldis Chapman, Pedro Strop, Hector Rondon, Carl Edwards Jr. and Justin Grimm. The Indians may have the edge here, but it’s closer than you think. (Chris Cwik)

THREE KEYS FOR THE CUBS
Get an early lead: As we’ve seen, the Cleveland bullpen is a murderers row of relievers. They have a 1.67 ERA in the playoffs and have been nearly unhittable. The Cubs need to put their offensive woes firmly in the rearview mirror, because they have to score on Cleveland’s starters and get a solid lead by the fifth inning. If they don’t, Cleveland’s bullpen won’t give them a chance to make up for it. After being shut out by the Dodgers twice in the NLCS, the Cubs offense broke through in Game 5 and Game 6. If they can keep that up, they won’t have to worry about the Indians’ bullpen.

Keep on pitching on: Cubs pitchers haven’t been perfect, but they’ve gotten the job done and more. Jon Lester has been amazing throughout, Kyle Hendricks pitched a superb game in NLCS Game 6, and both John Lackey and Jake Arrieta have the ability to start clean after stumbling. That foursome was one of the most powerful and talented pitching rotations in baseball this season, and if they draw on that talent, they’ll be able to handle whatever the Cleveland offense can throw (or hit) at them.

Don’t give an inch: The Indians have cut through the playoffs like a buzzsaw, sweeping the Red Sox and taking the Blue Jays 4 games to 1. They have been relentless, and so the Cubs can’t relax for a second. Their offense has to be hitting on all cylinders, their defense has to be on point, and their pitching staff has to be exemplary. The playoffs haven’t been easy for the Cubs so far, and the World Series doesn’t stand to get any easier. (Roscher)

THREE KEYS FOR THE INDIANS
Get to the fourth inning: The Indians’ postseason success can be summed up with that sentence. As long as the team’s starting pitchers can make it to the fourth inning without completely imploding, Cleveland’s fantastic bullpen should give them a chance to win the game. That’s not really an issue for Corey Kluber, who is normally a lock for six or seven strong innings. Getting Josh Tomlin, Trevor Bauer, Ryan Merritt and maybe Danny Salazar to that point will be the bigger challenge.

Use your relievers carefully: Andrew Miller’s numbers this postseason are absolutely staggering. Over 11 2/3 scoreless innings, he’s allowed just five hits and two walks. He’s struck out an incredible 20 batters. Cody Allen has been almost as impressive, striking out 12 over 7 2/3 scoreless frames. It’s not just their ability to completely shut down opponents this postseason, though, it’s the fact that both guys always seem to be available no matter how many pitches they threw the night before. That hasn’t caught up to either player yet, but their workload could be something to watch in this series. Allen and Miller have been used at a relentless and grueling pace over the past few weeks. The Indians can’t afford to have fatigue set in right now.

Find a way on offense: Fifteen of the Indians’ 27 runs this postseason have come due to the long ball. That’s somewhat of a new development, as the club finished 18th in baseball with 185 home runs in the regular season. The postseason surge isn’t just the usual suspects either. Sure, Carlos Santana and Mike Napoli have gotten in on the act, but Francisco Lindor, Lonnie Chisenhall and Coco Crisp have all joined in on the fun as well.

After looking strong against the Boston Red Sox in the American League Division Series, Cleveland’s bats went somewhat quiet in the ALCS. That’s gone a bit under the radar since the team’s pitching absolutely steamrolled Toronto. We’re not breaking any new ground here by saying home runs are good, but as the ALCS showed, a measly solo shot in the second inning could prove to be enough for Cleveland to come out on top based on how well the team’s pitching has performed lately. (Cwik)

FIVE IMPORTANT NUMBERS
• 1 — The Cubs’ rank in a number of significant stats during the regular season. Chicago led baseball with a 38.7 fWAR, posted the highest defensive UZR in the league according to FanGraphs and had a league-leading 3.15 ERA. They are not only dominant, but they are well-rounded.

• 5 — The number of plate appearances Kyle Schwarber received during the regular season. Schwarber tore his knee up in early April and was expected to miss the entire year while rehabbing. That may not be the case. Schwarber is ahead of schedule, and there’s a chance he could make the Cubs’ 25-man World Series roster and start Game 1 as the team’s DH.

• 0.92 — Combined ERA of both Game 1 starters this postseason. Corey Kluber has given up just two runs over 18 1/3 innings. Jon Lester has given up two runs in 21 innings.

• 5,673 — The number of games played at Wrigley Field since the 1945 World Series. That includes postseason games and three All-Star games.

• 176 — The combined number of years both teams have gone without a World Series championship. That number is going to get significantly smaller in just a few days.

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik