MLB Playoffs: World Series Uniqueness and X-Factors
For baseball, the World Series is the highest stage on which a ballplayer can perform. Legends are born, history is made and this year will not disappoint.
Undoubtedly, this World Series will be unlike any baseball has seen before. Not only does it feature two teams whose last championship appearances were over 60 years ago, the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians are owners of baseball’s two longest title droughts. In addition to the uniqueness of the series, a number of x-factors will play a role in the outcome of the Fall Classic.
Party Like It’s 1908
After making considerable improvements during the offseason and regular season, the Cubs were destined for the postseason by mid-September. They finished the season 103-58 and won the NL Central title by 17.5 games. However, their path to the World Series was not as easy as one would expect.
After extinguishing the San Francisco Giants’ attempted comeback in the NLDS, the Los Angeles Dodgers put Chicago fans on the edge of their seats during the NLCS. Three games into the championship series, the Cubs fell one game behind the Dodgers as they were shut out in Games 3 and 4.
Not only does this mark the first time since 2014 that the Cubs were shut out in consecutive games, but it is the fourth time in postseason history that a team was held scoreless in back-to-back championship series games. In fact, none of the three preceding teams went on to win the World Series.
However, they completed their comeback with a victory over Clayton Kershaw in Game 6. As a result, Dexter Fowler will become the Cubs’ first African American player to start in the World Series. Their last World Series appearance came two years before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball. Each African American Cub before Fowler, such as Ernie Banks and Fergie Jenkins, left Chicago without seeing the World Series.
Now Joe Maddon is four wins away from his first managerial World Series title and breaking the Cubs’ 108-year title drought.
Believe-land
However, the Indians are not the first Cleveland team to deliver their city a championship this year. Just over four months ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers chipped away at a 3-1 deficit in the 2016 NBA Finals to beat the Golden State Warriors. Prior to their playoff run, Cleveland was championship-less for over 50 years.
Ironically, when the Indians won the World Series in 1945, the Cleveland Rams bested the Washington Redskins in the NFL Championship. They joined cities such as New York, Detroit and most recently Pittsburgh, which all brag of at least two sports championships in the same year.
It is also important to note the success that has followed manager Terry Francona throughout his career. During his inaugural season as the manager of the Boston Red Sox, Tito led his team to a historic comeback and 2004 World Series title. Three seasons later, he brought Boston another championship in 2007. Through 16 managerial seasons, Francona is 1,381-1,209 and brags only four seasons with a negative record.
Better Late Than Never
In an effort to make last minute improvements, both the Indians and Cubs reinstated a pair of injured players to their World Series rosters. While each club will be cautious in bringing them back, Kyle Schwarber and Danny Salazar could make comebacks in the World Series.
Kyle Schwarber
Just three games into his sophomore season, Schwarber missed all of 2016 after an outfield collision. In what resulted with an insider-the-park home run, Schwarber collided with Fowler, tearing his ACL and LCL in his left knee.
“The timing is just a little bit off. But that’s to be expected; this guy hasn’t played in a game since April … As talented as this young man is, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he’s ready to contribute with the bat in a couple of days.”
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During his rookie season, Schwarber rewarded the faith of the Cubs, who selected him fourth overall in 2014. Through 69 games, he hit 16 homers with an .842 OPS and held a .979 fielding percentage.
Since his injury on April 7, Schwarber did not face live pitching until Saturday, Oct. 22. Although he went 0-3 for the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League, he showed enough improvement to earn himself a spot on the roster.
More than likely Schwarber’s role will be that of designated hitter, but his return gives the Cubs a powerful bat to keep in their back pocket.
Danny Salazar
Regardless of his absence, Salazar’s disabled list stint did not affect the Indians final full month of the season. Before the injury, Salazar was 11-6, posting a 3.87 ERA with 161 strikeouts. The All-Star pitched four innings against the Minnesota Twins before exiting the game early with soreness in his left arm on Sept. 9. As it turned out, Salazar mildly strained his left forearm and missed the remainder of the season.
Just over two weeks later, the Indians clinched the AL Central crown on Sept. 26.
An encouraging three-inning simulated session on Oct. 23 ensured his roster spot, but his role is yet to be decided. While Corey Kluber and Josh Tomlin will start Games 1 and 2, it is uncertain who will fill in the rest of the rotation. With Carlos Carrasco‘s fractured hand and Trevor Bauer‘s injury-by-drone, the Indians’ options are quite thin. Ryan Merritt‘s four-inning performance in Game 6 makes a case for the starting spot, but the Indians are cautious to overwhelm the rookie in his third career start.
Next: Cubs vs. Indians Great for MLB
Needless to say, Salazar could be called upon by his team to make a comeback in at least Game 3 of the World Series.