Welcome to Behind the Plate With DJ, a weekly look at what is going on in the world of baseball. This series will weigh in on the interesting, the controversial, and the downright cool. The play of the week could be an incredible play or an unusual one. If something made you scratch your head, you will probably find it here. So sit back, relax, and let’s take a look at the week that was.
World Series
This battle is going to end one of the two longest World Series Championship drought. Either the Indians will win it all for the first time since 1948, or the Cubs will break their curse that has lasted since 1908.
The Indians jumped on Jon Lester early with two in the first frame. Backup catcher Roberto Perez hit two home runs in the game and the Indians won 6-0. Cleveland ace Corey Kluber went six strong innings and the Indian bullpen shut it down.
The Cubs returned the favor, scoring a run in the first and another in the third before breaking out for three runs in the fifth. Jake Arrieta got the win and the Cubs evened the Series at a game apiece.
The two teams combined to put 10 pitchers on the mound in a game that the Indians won 1-0. Coco Crisp had an RBI single in the seventh inning that proved to be the only score of the game. Cub fans were worried about their offense, and for good reason. The did not score a single run in their two losses.
After not scoring for 13 consecutive innings, the Cubs managed to plate a run in the first inning of Game 4 when Anthony Rizzo hit an RBI single. The team that scored first won the first three games, but the Indians had something to say about that. Carlos Santana led off the second with a home run and Kluber reached on a single. An error on the play allowed another run to score and the Indians took a 2-1 lead. Jason Kipnis sealed the win with a 3-run home run in the seventh and the Indians took a 3-1 lead in the series. More importantly for Cub fans, they still have not seen their team win a World Series game at Wrigley since 1945.
http://gty.im/619346514
The Indians drew first blood in Game 5 with a run in the second and they could start to taste the Championship. But the Cubs had other ideas. Kris Bryant, who is a favorite for the National League MVP, led off the fourth inning with a home run. The Cubs would score two more in the inning and took a 3-1 lead. The Indians scored a run in the sixth, but Joe Maddon brought in closer Aroldis Chapman with one out in the seventh. The move worked and Chapman had his longest career appearance with an eight-out save.
The powerful Cub lineup had only scored an average of two runs per game in the first five games. They found their bats on their way back to Cleveland. Bryant hit a 2-out home run in the first and the Cubs took advantage of a miscommunication in the Indian outfield to score 2 more for a 3-0 lead. Addison Russell added a grand slam in the third to take a 7-0 lead. The Cubs would go on to win 9-3.
Now we get to see the 37th deciding Game 7 in World Series history. It comes down to a single game to determine who the official drought breaker will be, Cub President Theo Epstein, or Indian Manager Terry Francona, both of whom were instrumental in the Red Sox breaking the Curse of the Bambino in 2004.
The pitching matchup will most likely be Kyle Hendricks going for the Cubs against Corey Kluber of the Indians. We have been treated to a very good Series and Game 7 should be no different. Would it be too much to ask for extra innings?
Dark Times Ahead
Ready or not, here it is. After tonight’s game, we will have to wait until February when pitchers and catchers report before we see Major League players in action again.
This is a rough time for baseball fans. Sure, there are the trade rumors, free agency, winter meetings, but there are no games. Hopefully your team is making some moves that will get them to the promised land this season.
Once February gets here, we will enjoy the optimism of spring, when every team has a shot. Until then, stay warm, get into football, or hockey, or basketball, and we’ll get though the darkness.
Play of the Week
This week’s play comes from Game 6. In Game 5, Aroldis Chapman did not cover first base to allow a runner to reach. That did not hurt the Cubs, but in Game 6 Chapman did not make the same mistake.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.