Game-by-Game Breakdown
While home field advantage is up in the air with the All-Star Game, the better record will dictate this fictional series.
Game 1: Indians at Giants, Kluber vs. Bumgarner
Both pitchers are in top form in San Francisco on a warm October night. Neither offense can mount much of anything through the first six innings, other than a lone two-run homer from Buster Posey in the fourth inning.
The Indians mount a comeback in the eighth when Bumgarner is taken out and Napoli hits a solo homer, but Cleveland falls short and loses 2-1.
Game 2: Indians (0-1) at Giants (1-0), Salazar vs. Cueto
Cueto, eager to earn another World Series ring, comes out of the gates firing through the first three innings. The Indians gain momentum in the third as Lindor hits a double, and later comes around to score on a single from Chisenhall. They score another two runs later in the inning.
The Giants don’t go down that easy, though. Despite seven strong innings from Salazar, the Giants manage to tie the game right before he’s taken out. The Giants go on to win with a walk-off home run from Pence in the ninth (yeah, this is a fantasy. It’s not going to be any less heroic than the movies).
Game 3: Giants (2-0) at Indians (0-2), Samardzija vs. Carrasco
Jeff Samardzija implodes in the first two innings, leaving the Giants to turn to Matt Cain to come on in relief down 6-0. He doesn’t pitch much better, and allows three more runs in the next three innings.
Pagan hits a two-run double to decrease the deficit to 11-2, but it’s not enough as the Indians cruise to a victory.
Game 4: Giants (2-1) at Indians (1-2), Peavy vs. Bauer
Bauer finishes the season strong and displaces Tomlin as the Indians’ fourth starter, but is mediocre in his first World Series appearance. He gives up five runs after six innings, but strikes out nine. Peavy isn’t much better, but manages to give the Giants a 5-3 lead going into the seventh.
Lindor goes up to bat in the eighth with the bases loaded, but only scores one on an RBI groundout. Brantley bats next and hits a double to score one more run, but is thrown out trying to take third to end the inning.
The game winds up going into extras, and the Giants win in the 11th on an RBI single by Brandon Belt.
Game 5: Giants (3-1) at Indians (1-3), Bumgarner vs. Kluber
The Indians, looking to stave off elimination, put Kluber back on the mound to pitch despite limited rest, and he pitches admirably. The Giants use Bumgarner hoping to close out the series in Cleveland, but isn’t enough to match Kluber.
Kluber finishes the game going eight inning while allowing two runs on five hits, while Bumgarner goes six and allows three. The Indians go on to score three more in the ninth and secure a victory to head back to the west coast.
Game 6: Indians (2-3) at Giants (3-2), Salazar vs. Cueto
Both Salazar and Cueto go six innings while allowing four runs, but the Giants threaten after Panik hits a triple. He comes around to score on a single by Posey, and the Giants bullpen is dominant the rest of the way.
Lindor and Brantley do their best to mount a comeback in the ninth, but it’s too little too late as Giants’ closer Casilla shuts down the rest of the Cleveland lineup. Another even year, another title for San Francisco.
The Giants ultimately win the series because of their shutdown pitching and experience, and the city of Cleveland is once again left without a championship… unless the Cavs pull off something spectacular over the next two weeks.
Next: Toronto Blue Jays Trade Deadline Overview
Let us know your thoughts on the NBA Finals in the comments and what you think would happen in a potential Giants vs. Indians World Series!