Can Cub’s Go The Distance?

Focus at the start for some individuals were more of being politically correct, than actually playing ball and keeping the game on the diamond.

It’s interesting to note that the home-field advantage goes to the Indians, by virtue of the American League’s 4-2 win in the 2016 All-Star game.

The All-Star game was the 87^th edition and was hosted this year by the Padres on July 12^th at Petco Park.

Once the pitchers took to the mound, the fans rallied behind the home town clubs, in the streets, in the bars and on-line chatting or blogging.

The World Series officially kicked-off two months prior to Christmas, so if you’re a baseball fan, you’re gift came early.

The Indians continued their winning streak trouncing the Cubs in game one, by a 6-0 score with Kluber getting the win.

We are reminded by Rob Fai that Corey Kluber pitched against the C’s August 27th/07 when he pitched with Eugene at the historic Civic Stadium.

The Jay’s are somewhat reluctant to talk about how they passed on his selection (9 times) in 2007, but rather selected Kevin Ahrens (SS), John Tolisano (RHP), Alan Farina (RHP) and Centre Fielder Eric Eiland.

We must remember that the Canadians were affiliated with the Oakland Athletics in that year and that’s the way the world of “wacky sports” travels!

Kluber pitched for Eugene 10 times going 1-1 with a 3.51 ERA and 33 strikeouts against just 15 walks in 33 1/3 innings of work.

Game two saw the reversal as the Cub’s trounce the Indians by a 5-1 score with Arrieta getting the win.

This was followed by the preverbal travel day where Indians’ pitcher Miller was credited with the win with the winning crossing the plate in the 7^th inning.

Game four (October 29^th) the bats were still hot as the Indians hammered the Cubs 7-2 with Kluber getting credited with the win pitching 6 solid innings.

His relievers’ were Miller (2IP), while Otero pitched one inning closing out the game, while Lackey was credited with the loss for the Cubs.

Game five (5) was a due-or-die game for the Cubs and desperately in need of a win that saw starting pitcher Lester face Bauer.

Lester pitched a 6 solid innings, allowing 4 hits, giving up 2 runs and managing an ERA of 3.86, while Chapman was given credit for the SV.

Bauer was relieved after pitching only four allowing 6 hits, scoring 3 runs with an ERA of 5.87.

While the teams are set for game six it’s reported that the Cubs will start Arrieta (18-8) and the Indians will start Tomlin who is 13-9.

While both clubs are looking at grabbing the MLB Crown, it’s interesting to note that the Cubs won back-to-back World Series championships in 1907 and 1908.

They were the first Major League team to play in three consecutive World Series, and the first club to win the championship on two occasions.

They have also appeared in eleven (11) World Series, with the most recent being the current championship.

The Cleveland Indians (World Series teams) won the Championship in 1920 and 1948, but lost the Championship in 1954, 1995 and 1997.

It’s interesting to remember that no team in the history of the MLB has ever rebounded from a 3-1 series hole in more that three decades.

The last being the 1985 Royal’s when Brett’s club rebounded against the Cardinals.

On the reverse only three teams have ever rebounded from a 3-1 deficit by winning game 5 at home then taking games six (6) and seven (7) on the road.

The most recent was Stargell’s 1979 Pirates, preceded by Mickey Lolich’s 68 Tigers and the first being Turley’s 1958 Yankees.

Notes of Importance:

The New York Yankees have managed to win 27 titles, which accounts for 25% of all series games played, which accounts for 43% of the wins by a club in the American League.

The St. Louis Cardinals have managed to win 11 World Series titles, which amounts to 10%, while the 46 National League victories account for 24%.

Teams Still Looking:

San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies have yet to win a single World Series Championship.

The Mariners and the Washington Nationals (formerly the Montreal Expos) have yet to win or even appeared in the Fall Classic, known as the MLB World Series.