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Chicago Cubs: Is Kyle Schwarber Coming Back This Season?

By Jason Evans

Oct 14, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber (12) throws the ball during workouts the day prior to the start of the NLCS baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber (12) throws the ball during workouts the day prior to the start of the NLCS baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports /
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Could the Chicago Cubs be getting Kyle Schwarber back if they make the World Series?

The Chicago Cubs on the precipice of an NL pennant tonight, which would be their first since 1945. 1,700 miles away in Arizona someone who was supposed to be a big part of their team this season is playing in his first baseball game since April.

Kyle Schwarber was supposed to be a huge part of their team this season. Instead, just one week in he tore his ACL and LCL in the outfield, in Arizona.

Tonight, that will change as Schwarber has reported to the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League. 

"“A very slim chance” caught some reporters’ ears. Apparently, it wasn’t just a slip of the tongue.But the Cubs still need to get through Clayton Kershaw on Saturday and a possible Game 7 on Sunday.And no one is sure if Schwarber can actually handle game at-bats. There isn’t much of a learning curve with World Series rosters due Tuesday morning. But if he can swing, the Cubs can sure use him."

Schwarber came up last season and hit .246 with an .842 OPS. In the playoffs, Schwarber hit .333 with five homers including a titanic homer in the NLDS against the Cardinals.

If Schwarber can prove that he can run and hit a bit the Cubs can certainly use him at DH against the Indians. The only lefty starting option the Indians have is Ryan Merritt, but I can’t see him starting games one or two of the Series. That would most likely be Josh Tomlin and Corey Kluber, who are both right-handed.

Teams don’t usually get to add another powerful bat right when they are going for the title. Schwarber would be a rare commodity.

If they have to face Andrew Miller, the Cubs could easily go to Wilson Contreras, Albert Almora or Jorge Soler to face the lefty.

Next: 5 Ways For the Tigers to Improve for 2017

Schwarber can be a game-changing power bat for the Cubs in the Fall Classic. But first thing’s first, they have to get there.

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