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After coming back from a 2-1 deficit to go up 3-2 in the National League Championship Series, the Chicago Cubs have pushed the Los Angeles Dodgers’ back against the wall, as L.A. will enter Saturday’s Game 6 in win-or-go-home mode.

The pitching contest will be a rematch of the Game 2 affair the Dodgers won 1-0, with ace Clayton Kershaw going up against regular-season NL ERA leader Kyle Hendricks. With two top-flight hurlers on the mound, runs could be difficult to come by once again.

With the Cubs just one win away from reaching the World Series, here is everything you need to know about when and where to watch Game 6, as well as a prediction for which team will prevail.

Where: Wrigley Field in Chicago

When: Saturday, Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. ET

Watch: Fox Sports 1

Dodgers Player to Watch: Clayton Kershaw

Great pitchers can almost single-handedly carry teams through the playoffs at times, and the Dodgers may need that type of performance out of Kershaw in Game 6.

After struggling to the tune of a 5.84 ERA in the NLDS against the Washington Nationals, Kershaw bounced back in a big way in Game 2 of the NLCS, firing seven innings of two-hit, no-run baseball in a 1-0 Dodgers triumph.

The Cubs were also shut out by Rich Hill in Game 3, but the bats have since come back to life in the form of 18 runs over the past two contests.

Despite that, the Dodgers appear to have plenty of confidence entering Game 6.

According to MLB‘s official Twitter account, manager Dave Roberts feels good about his team’s chances with Kershaw on the bump:

The same can be said for Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register:

Kershaw’s career playoff record leaves plenty to be desired, as he is just 4-6 with a 4.39 ERA despite the gem he threw in Game 2.

Even so, the fact he has been on the big stage so often means the moment shouldn’t overwhelm him. He is of the belief he is well prepared and equipped to take on the challenge, according to Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune:

Obviously the fans are pretty excited about their team this year, and rightfully so. They have been waiting a long time for them to win. … Pitching on the road is obviously different, but you try and keep it the same as possible. D.C. was one of the louder environments that I’ve pitched in. So I have gotten to do that now a few times. I guess I’m as prepared as I’ll ever be for that.

The Dodgers bullpen has struggled during the NLCS, so it is incumbent upon Kershaw to pitch well and pitch deep into Game 6.

If he is locked in, then the Dodgers won’t have to do much against Hendricks, much like in Game 2.

Pitching in Game 6 does take a potential relief appearance in a possible Game 7 out of the equation for Kershaw, but Game 7 won’t even occur if he doesn’t come through Saturday.

Cubs Player to Watch: Javier Baez

Great defense and timely hitting are paramount in high-pressure playoff games, especially when elite pitchers are on the mound. Because of that, Javier Baez could be the most important position player in Game 6.

The 23-year-old is enjoying a spectacular playoff run in 2016, as he is hitting .368 with five RBI and two stolen bases in the NLCS.

According to MLB Stat of the Day, his penchant for extra-base hits is already historic through five games of the series:

As good as Baez has been at the plate, it can be argued that his defense at second base has been even better.

While Baez played all over the diamond during the regular season, he has settled in at second base during the playoffs and regularly made difficult plays look routine, such as the one on Gonzalez in Game 5 that features in this MLB Twitter post:

Many have taken notice of Baez’s defense reaching an elite level, including ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark:

Although Chicago’s offense has exploded over the past two games, Kershaw is skilled at silencing bats, much like he did in Game 2.

If Kershaw pitches another gem, every play and every out will be of the utmost importance, which is why Baez’s defense will be key.

He has also been the most consistently productive hitter in the Cubs lineup during the postseason, and he seems the likeliest candidate to get a big hit for Chicago in a tight game, which could push the team into the World Series.

Game 6 Pick

Cubs fans have been starved for a World Series berth since 1945, and they are just one win away from finally making their return.

The crowd promises to be raucous at Wrigley Field Saturday, and it won’t be an easy atmosphere for Kershaw and the Dodgers to deal with.

Kershaw already managed to do so once in Game 2, however, and now he has seemingly found his playoff stride, the Dodgers enter Game 6 with an advantage.

Hendricks had a spectacular regular season, but he has struggled to give the Cubs length during the playoffs, going just 3.2 innings in the NLDS against the San Francisco Giants before leaving through injury and 5.1 innings in Game 2 of the NLCS.

He also had control problems in his last start, as he walked four batters, while Kershaw offered just one free pass.

The Los Angeles offense has been largely stagnant in the series, but if Yasmani Grandal, Corey Seager, Joc Pederson and Co. are able to run into a pitch or two, Kershaw may not need much more run support than that.

Kershaw is a three-time Cy Young Award winner and has been the best regular-season pitcher in baseball for years. He’ll carry that trend over into the playoffs for a second consecutive start to force a Game 7.

Game 6 prediction: Dodgers 2, Cubs 1

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The Chicago Cubs might be one win away from making the World Series for the first time since 1945, but Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw stands in the way in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series on Saturday night.

While the Dodgers look to stay alive and overturn a 3-2 series deficit, the Cleveland Indians will be waiting for the winner after their five-game triumph over the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series. 

A quick turnaround awaits the National League champion, as the 112th Fall Classic will begin on Tuesday in Cleveland:

The final three teams have been thirsting for a title with significant droughts, with some obviously larger than others.

Odds Guide

Odds to Win World Series

Cleveland Indians: 163-100

Chicago Cubs: 50-59

Los Angeles Dodgers: 27-4

Relayed by Odds Shark

Cleveland Indians

World Series Appearances: 6 (including 2016)

World Series Wins: 2 

Last World Series Win: 1948

Last World Series Appearance: 1997

The Indians have shown throughout the 2016 season that they are one of the most well-rounded rosters in all of baseball, and that’s been highlighted through slumps and injuries. 

With a roster that’s lost starting pitchers Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, Cleveland’s arms have stepped up in a big way, especially this postseason, as they’ve been able to work alongside a limited offense that’s hit just .208:

In terms of starting pitching, ace Corey Kluber has been supported by veteran Josh Tomlin and the 25-year-old Trevor Bauer until the latter sliced his pinky open while repairing a drone. 

The most recent hero came in the form of Ryan Merritt, who started Game 5 after recording just one regular-season start during his rookie campaign, putting him in sparse company, per MLB Stat of the Day:

He went 4.1 innings, allowing just two hits in Game 5 to help the Indians clinch the pennant. 

In the bullpen, it’s been all about reliever Andrew Miller, who has been the definition of untouchable during October. The ALCS MVP has pitched 11.2 innings in the postseason, allowing no runs on just five hits while striking out 21 batters.

Against either a Dodgers or Cubs team that has scored over 30 runs during the postseason, that dominant Indians pitching will have to be just as good to secure a championship for the first time in 68 years. 

Chicago Cubs

World Series Appearances: 10

World Series Wins: 2 

Last World Series Win: 1908

Last World Series Appearance: 1945

The longest, most well-documented drought in major North American professional sports looks like it could come to an end this year. 

Baseball’s best regular-season team, with a 103-58 record, barnstormed through the league this year behind a core of young, powerful stars in the batting order and a strong pitching staff. 

But those big Chicago bats fell upon hard times in the postseason, as they scored one run or less in three games, including two straight shutouts in Games 2 and 3 of the NLCS.

They’ve come alive over the past two games, though, scoring a combined 18 runs on 26 hits, which is something that could cause any pitching staff stress.

Pair that with Jon Lester’s postseason dominance, and the Cubs will most likely feel confident about their title hopes if they can get by the Dodgers:

Getting to the World Series would be a massive accomplishment for this franchise regardless of what happens as they are one win away from breaking another sizable drought of 71 years without a Fall Classic appearance.

Los Angeles Dodgers

World Series Appearances: 18

World Series Wins: 6 

Last World Series Win: 1988

Last World Series Appearance: 1988

The last time the Dodgers were in the World Series, Kirk Gibson delivered one of the most memorable home runs in baseball history:

While a 28-year drought is a considerable one, it is nothing compared to the other two that could be ended this postseason. 

But the Dodgers have their back up against the wall for Game 6 of the NLCS. One more loss, and they will fall one series short of the World Series for the fourth time since 2008. 

Luckily for them, Kershaw is taking the hill and has already taken care of the Cubs once in the NLCS. In fact, he joined some elite company in shutting them out in Game 2, per ESPN Stats & Info:

He’s been the lone bright spot in a Dodgers pitching staff that has gotten hammered throughout the playoffs. In 10 games, they’ve allowed 50 runs, 45 of them earned, which will make it extremely difficult for the offense to overcome, even if the Dodgers can find a way to come back against the Cubs.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. 

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The Chicago Cubs acquired Aroldis Chapman because he’s a flamethrower.

In the 2016 postseason, he’s ignited a disconcerting number of fires.

Yes, Chapman can melt the radar gun with his triple-digit heater, and he’s impersonated his unhittable self in stretches.

The recent numbers, however, paint a less flattering picture.

In 6.1 playoff innings with the Cubs, Chapman has allowed six hits, three walks and three earned runs and has converted only three of five save opportunities.

Chicago is up 3-2 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series, so it’s not as if Chapman is destined to become a footnote in the franchise’s futile October saga.

Still, this is a troubling development for the Cubs, who acquired Chapman as a rental from the New York Yankees at the trade deadline with the sole purpose of shoring up the back end of their bullpen.

They wanted a stopper, no hand-wringing added.

So far, it’s been hit-and-miss.

Take Game 1 of the NLCS. Chapman yielded a two-run single to Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. It tied the game.

Granted, Chapman entered in the eighth inning with the bases loaded, no outs and the Cubs clinging to a 3-1 lead. He got two-thirds of the way to his destination, fanning Corey Seager and Yasiel Puig. 

Gonzalez, however, enjoyed the last laugh.

“We talk about baseball, you know he’s got the best fastball in the game,” Gonzalez said afterward, per Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald. “But you know, you just throw fastballs. It’s going to get hit. Doesn’t mean it’s going to get hit all the time, but eventually it’s going to get hit.” 

Gonzalez is a reputable swinger. And the Cubs went on to win that game, 8-4.

Chapman, however, has coughed up other key knocks this October, including this one in Game 3 of the division series against the San Francisco Giants to implausible autumn hero Conor Gillaspie:

Chapman can make hitters look like they’re swinging a wet noodle blindfolded underwater. He’s struck out 15.2 hitters per nine innings in his career, if that does anything for you.

But while the Cleveland Indians‘ Andrew Miller has been the Platonic Ideal of a no-doubt fireman since the conclusion of Game 162, the Cubs closer has been mercurial.

That’s never a word you want associated with any postseason player, especially a reliever.

Whenever we analyze playoff results, we tread knee-deep into the small-sample swamp. There’s your caveat.

Chapman’s issue appears to be getting ahead in the count, as ESPN.com’s Sam Miller outlined:

When Chapman is ahead in a count and he throws a pitch down the middle, batters’ isolated power—slugging percentage minus batting average—is .036; when batters are ahead, it’s .300. When he’s ahead and he throws a pitch down the middle, batters hit .270 on balls in play; when he’s behind, it’s .444. His home run rate goes up by a factor of four. …

The difference is that when he’s behind in counts, he throws fastballs 93 percent of the time, which might as well be 100 percent of the time for a batter trying to guess what’s coming. Batters can ignore his slider and sit on the heater, take a big swing and connect enough to do damage.

The thing, then, is for Chapman to throw an effective slider and to get batters behind. When he does that, he’s a baseball wizard sent from the future.

When he doesn’t, he learns that MLB hitters—including the Gillaspies of the world—can punish even the most blinding fastballs.

It doesn’t help that Chapman’s most recent hiccup came in Thursday’s Game 5 against Los Angeles, as he allowed two hits, a walk and two runs. The Cubs once again won 8-4, but Chapman’s struggles were magnified.

The Cubbies are headed home for Game 6 on Saturday and Game 7 on Sunday if necessary. They’ll lean on Kyle Hendricks and, maybe, Jake Arrieta. They’ll surely depend on their young, versatile lineup.

This curse can’t be busted by any single player.

Chapman, however, will matter. He’s a southpaw, and L.A. was the worst offense against left-handers in the regular season.

More than that, he’s the man they summon when the game—and possibly the whole kit and caboodle—hangs in the balance.

There’s also no immediate heir apparent.

Righties Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon sport identical 4.91 postseason ERAs, and overall Chicago’s bullpen owns the seventh-highest ERA (3.71) of the 10 postseason qualifiers. 

If he keeps nudging his velocity into the mesosphere and harnesses his slider, he could get back to being quasi-unhittable. In fact, we’ll bank on that, because stuff like Chapman’s doesn’t come around often.

For the title-starved Cubs, however, the risk of more fires is real.

Can you feel the heat? Here’s betting Chapman can.

All statistics current as of Friday and courtesy of MLB.com unless otherwise noted.

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Don’t be fooled by the optics of the Detroit Tigers’ 2016 campaign, one that saw the organization miss the playoffs by a mere 2.5 games.

They’re stuck in one of the worse places in today’s win-or-rebuild world of baseball.

The Tigers own MLB’s fourth-most expensive roster, but it’s one that isn’t talented enough to be considered a serious World Series contender. While every team seems to be trying to get younger, Detroit’s key players are aging.

So it came as no surprise Tuesday when general manager Al Avila revealed the organization will pivot.

Avila told Jason Beck of MLB.com:

We have to be open-minded to anything. That doesn’t mean that we’re dangling Player A out there and seeing what happens, but it does mean that in our conversations with other clubs, we will be open-minded, and if somebody has interest in a certain player, we’ll take a look at it. If it makes sense for the Detroit Tigers present and future, then we certainly will consider things that we feel will make us better.

Read: Starting pitcher Justin Verlander, first baseman Miguel Cabrera and other Detroit veterans could be traded this offseason.

What was most suggestive of the fact that two Tigers cornerstones and a slew of other high-priced players could move was that Avila said “this organization has been working way above its means as far as payroll for many, many years.”

ESPN.com’s Buster Olney confirmed the notion Saturday, writing: “But the message being received from the rest of the industry is a dramatic shift for one of baseball’s oldest franchises: They will listen to trade offers on everybody. Miguel Cabrera. Justin Verlander. Ian Kinsler. Anybody.”

Verlander and Cabrera, both 33, are two of four Detroit players above 30 years old who are making at least $18 million per year, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts.

But they can also still make a major impact on contending rosters.

Given that baseball’s 2017 free-agent class is drier than August in Death Valley, this could be the ideal time to trade them, too.

First baseman Edwin Encarnacion and outfielders Jose Bautista, Ian Desmond and potentially Yoenis Cespedes are among the cream of this year’s free-agent class in terms of high-impact position players. The market for starting pitchers is without a front-line starter like last year’s class, which included David Price and Zack Greinke, their performances this season notwithstanding.

So teams may forgo spending money in free agency and instead try to add via the trade market.

While Verlander may not be the top-end ace he was earlier this decade, his 3.04 ERA still suggests he has top-of-the-rotation stuff and could make an impact on a playoff roster.

The Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox, who were swept out of the playoffs this year, saw the Cleveland Indians cruise to the World Series with outstanding starting pitching, which each of them lacked all season.

Both the Red Sox and Rangers are loaded with young talent, which they could send to the Tigers to bolster their respective rotations.

Cabrera still swings an All-Star bat—he hit .316/.393/.563 with 38 homers and 108 RBI—and could become the centerpiece of a World Series hopeful’s lineup.

And immediate thoughts gravitate to a particular AL playoff team that lost a prolific slugger to retirement. Ahem, the Red Sox and David Ortiz.

In fact, Cabrera has better offensive numbers than any potential free agent.

But it seems in their current spots on the Tigers’ hole-filled roster, Verlander and Cabrera are playing useless roles. They’re like unused chops at a high-end steakhouse, thrown away when the restaurant closes.

Detroit appears as if it’ll be closing for business every October.

Without giving them the opportunity to impact a postseason, Detroit is wasting what few prime years Verlander and Cabrera have remaining.

The Tigers seem pointed toward a rebuild. Or a retooling. Or a reworking. Or whichever way the organization wants to spin what is to come.

Regardless, this much is clear: Detroit may not contend for a title the next few seasons.

By then, Verlander and Cabrera will be in their twilight years. And though they still may be effective, the Tigers can’t bank on the duo’s impacting a long-term rebuild.

Simply, the dearth of high-impact free agents could create the highest possible demand for both players. It may be the perfect time to deal them, and it could net the Tigers the highest possible return in younger prospects.

And that is Avila’s stated goal: to get “younger and leaner.”

So as the general manager opens his mind to all possibilities, it might be time to open the phone lines, too. Because Detroit is certain to get calls on Verlander and Cabrera.

The demand for them may never be higher.

Seth Gruen is a national baseball columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @SethGruen.

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The odds may still be with the Chicago Cubs to advance to their first World Series since 1945, but they are listed as small home underdogs Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers for Game 6 of the NLCS at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark.

That’s what happens when facing a three-time Cy Young Award winner who has turned things around in the postseason and blanked the Cubs for seven innings in a Game 2 victory.

Los Angeles ace Clayton Kershaw (2-0, 3.72 ERA in the playoffs) allowed only two hits at Chicago in his most recent start there last Sunday, walking one and striking out six. The Dodgers have won every game in which he has appeared, including a relief appearance resulting in a save in the deciding Game 5 of the NLDS versus the Washington Nationals.

Kershaw (game log) did not face the Cubs during the regular season but was 5-3 with a 2.18 ERA in eight previous starts, as they hit just .218 against him and struck out 68 times in 53.2 innings.

Meanwhile, Chicago will send MLB ERA leader Kyle Hendricks (0-1, 3.00 ERA in the playoffs) to the mound for the second time in the series, as he also opposed Kershaw in Game 2. Hendricks allowed only an Adrian Gonzalez solo homer in that 1-0 loss along with two other hits over 5.1 innings with four walks and five strikeouts.

Hendricks (game log) was nearly perfect at Wrigley Field during the regular season, going 9-2 with a 1.32 ERA in 15 appearances.

The key for the Cubs will obviously be hitting and generating runs, as they have failed to score in their two losses and outscored Los Angeles 26-10 in their three wins. For the Dodgers, they will need to hold Chicago’s bats in check and leave the pressure on their opponent, who has not won a World Series since 1908.

The Cubs won four of the seven regular-season meetings, according to the Odds Shark MLB Database, and dropped four of seven the year before. They are hoping it does not come down to a deciding Game 7 on Sunday like it did when they were last in this position back in 2003 and lost.

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The 2016 World Series has yet to be set, but we’re close to having clarity following the Chicago Cubs’ 8-4 Game 5 National League Championship Series win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night. 

The Cleveland Indians punched their ticket Wednesday night by virtue of a 3-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays to clinch their first trip to the Fall Classic since 1997, and they figure to pose a stiff test for either squad when things get underway next Tuesday.

So with just a few days between now and the final series of the 2016 MLB season, here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about the upcoming championship clash. 

World Series Schedule

World Series Odds

Ticket Info

Tickets have yet to be listed since the NLCS is ongoing, but monitor ScoreBig.com for the latest World Series offers. 

Predictions

Since we can’t make any definitive predictions with the NLCS still in progress, World Series projections will stay general for the time being.

But if we can count on one thing, it’s Indians reliever Andrew Miller remaining an ace of the highest caliber.

Through six postseason appearances to date, he has scattered five hits, struck out 21 and walked just two over 11.2 innings. In the American League Championship Series alone, Miller pitched 7.2 innings, struck out 14 and didn’t allow a run or a walk. 

With that performance behind him, Miller sounds ready to go when the Fall Classic rolls around. 

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” he said, according to Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes. “Cleveland is going to be rocking. The AL won the All-Star Game so we’ve got our chance to play in front of our fans. And Corey Kluber was the winning pitcher in the All-Star Game, so that’s even better.”

Buoyed by Miller in the bullpen and a starting staff that features Kluber, Josh Tomlin, Trevor Bauer and Game 5 hero Ryan Merritt, there’s plenty of reason to believe the Indians could continue to retire batters at postseason-best rates. 

Thus far, the Indians have posted a collective team ERA of 1.77 to go with 81 strikeouts and just 19 walks. Those stellar numbers have allowed Cleveland to survive with a cumulative batting average of .208

The Dodgers and Cubs both have hitters who can make opposing pitching staffs pay, but it will take a disciplined effort from the eventual NL champion to thrust the Indians bullpen into action earlier than usual. 

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While the Cleveland Indians already punched their ticket to the World Series, the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers continue to battle it out in the NL championship. The Cubbies are just one win away from taking the next step toward breaking a century-long drought.

Chicago’s offense broke out of a funk in Game 4 and Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead after trailing 2-1. The Cubs are favored to win the series with a one-game cushion at their disposal, but the Dodgers have a pair of aces up their sleeve with Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill set to take the mound in Game 6 and Game 7, respectively.

With Game 6 on the horizon, here is a look at the current odds of interest in the NLCS, as well as a prediction for which team will come out on top.

NLCS Game 6 Odds: Dodgers 10-13, Cubs 6-5 (via OddsShark)

NLCS Series Odds: Cubs 10-17, Dodgers 7-5 (via OddsShark)

Remaining NLCS Schedule

NLCS Prediction

After getting shut out in both Game 2 and Game 3, things looked somewhat grim for the Cubs, but they bounced back in a big way over the past two games to take firm control of the series.

The Game 5 triumph was an especially big one, as teams that win Game 5 of a best-of-seven series that is tied 2-2 historically have gone on to win the vast majority of the time, according to ESPN Stats & Info:

Chicago’s biggest key to success over the past two contests has been the fact that first baseman Anthony Rizzo and shortstop Addison Russell broke out of massive slumps and led the Cubs’ offense, much like they did all season long.

Both players are 5-for-10 in their last two outings with a combined three home runs and eight RBI.

Although that is a great sign for the Cubbies, Rizzo and Russell have done their damage against struggling starters and relievers.

That can be said for much of Chicago’s lineup, as Kershaw and Hill thoroughly dominated the Cubs hitters in Game 2 and Game 3, per Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com:

While neither Kenta Maeda nor Julio Urias pitched particularly well in the Dodgers’ three losses during the series, most of Chicago’s success has come against L.A.’s struggling bullpen:

If Kershaw and Hill are able to replicate their previous performances in the series, though, the Dodgers won’t have to worry much about their relief pitching woes.

Kershaw has often been ridiculed for his playoff record in comparison to how good he has been during the regular season over the course of his career.

Although the lefty had an up-and-down NL divisional series, he pitched like a true ace in Game 2 of the NLCS by allowing just two hits and one walk in seven innings of shutout baseball.

After that showing, Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez is confident that Kershaw can get them back in the series, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register:

Assuming Kershaw comes through in the clutch, the series will go to a Game 7 featuring a pitching matchup pitting Hill against Jake Arrieta.

Hill easily won that battle in Game 3 by allowing two hits and two walks in six shutout innings, while Arrieta scattered six hits and four runs over five frames.

While Hill was great during the regular season, he struggled against the Washington Nationals during the NLDS and has yet to prove he can string together consecutive great starts in the playoffs.

Arrieta hasn’t been the same pitcher since starting off 2016 in dominant fashion and winning the 2015 NL Cy Young Award, but his recent history against the Dodgers prior to Game 3 was impressive, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today:

Now that Chicago’s big bats have come to life, it once again looks like the all-around elite team it was over the course of the entire regular season.

The Cubs’ lineup depth is amazing, thanks to the likes of Rizzo, Russell, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and others, and it is difficult to envision them being held down once again in consecutive games.

A locked-in Kershaw will find a way to force a Game 7, but with the Wrigley Field faithful behind them and Arrieta on the mound, the Cubs will win that decisive game and finally get back to the World Series.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.

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Miguel Cabrera has been the face of the Detroit Tigers since they acquired him before the 2008 season, but with the franchise boasting a large payroll featuring a lot of players over the age of 30, the two-time American League MVP could find himself on the trade block this offseason.  

Continue for updates. 

Tigers Open to Trades

Friday, Oct. 21

Per ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Tigers are willing to listen to offers for everyone on their roster, including Miggy.

The key phrase there is “willing to listen.” There’s a difference between taking a phone call when an opposing general manager asks about a player and actively shopping a player. 

The Tigers are in a difficult spot right now. They won 86 games in 2016, finishing two losses out of a wild-card spot, so it would be easy for general manager Al Avila to make a few tweaks in hopes of making a playoff push next season.

Per MLB.com’s Jason Beck, Avila said at his end-of-year press conference the Tigers want to add more youth and be able to run an organization “without having to go over our means.”

At some point, though, the front office can’t continue to spend so much money. The Tigers spent $198.5 million on payroll in 2016 and have $176.2 million on the books for 2017, per Cot’s Baseball Contracts. 

Cabrera is signed for $212 million through 2023 with vesting options for 2024 and 2025 at $30 million per season, so if he makes it all the way through his deal, he will be 42 years old. 

While he is still a great hitter, posting his eighth straight season with at least a .300 average and .500 slugging percentage, owing a player who is already 33 years old that much money over such a long period is a way to cripple the payroll. 

It’s a bad time to trade Cabrera because of his age and what he’s still owed, especially since the Tigers could seek multiple top-tier prospects in exchange for him. But Avila has to try whatever he can to help the team keep pace with the Cleveland Indians in the American League Central. 

With players such as Cabrera, Ian Kinsler, Victor Martinez, Justin Verlander, Anibal Sanchez and Jordan Zimmermann all on the wrong side of 30, this Tigers are built around an aging core that’s not going to have many years of peak performance left. 

A team needs to take drastic measures when it is spending more than it ever has without making a playoff appearance since 2014. Exploring the market for a hitter like Cabrera would fall into that category. 

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The Cleveland Indians are in the World Series, but they will have to keep waiting patiently to see which team they will face in the upcoming round.

While the Chicago Cubs earned a 3-2 advantage in the National League Championship Series thanks to their 8-4 Game 5 victory, the Los Angeles Dodgers still have an opportunity to win the next two games and earn a spot in the World Series.

Regardless of who survives the NLCS, fans should be treated to an outstanding final round between two great teams. Here is what to expect no matter who advances.

Indians vs. Dodgers

There are a lot of similarities between these two teams, most notably when it comes to pitching. While plenty of squads around the league have their set starters in a rotation followed by developed bullpen roles, the Indians and Dodgers don’t adhere to that plan.

Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts was forced to get creative in Game 5 of the NLDS against the Washington Nationals, using closer Kenley Jansen in the seventh inning before starter Clayton Kershaw closed the game on one day’s rest.

The team was forced to react to a handful of pitching injuries during the year and it is now capable of handling adversity to the staff.

Of course, the Indians know all about injuries to the rotation after losing Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar and, most recently, Trevor Bauer to various injuries. Manager Terry Francona explained how this transformed his strategy in the postseason.

“When you lose two pitchers like that late, I’m not sure you can move on conventionally and cover that,” Francona said, per Ben Reiter of Sports Illustrated. “So we’ve tried to not feel sorry for ourselves and figure out, okay…how do we win four games before they do?”

Francona was forced to be more aggressive than usual, but it worked out for him, as noted by Richard Justice of MLB.com:

Andrew Miller and Cody Allen have been nearly flawless in the postseason, and this duo is capable of stealing a win or two against a Dodgers lineup that can be inconsistent. With Corey Kluber also playing outstanding baseball with a 0.98 ERA in three starts, this pitching staff should once again be able keep the Indians winning.

On the other side, the Dodgers will still be recovering from what will have to be a seven-game series against the Cubs, meaning the rotation will not be ideal. Kershaw is as good as any starter in baseball, but he won’t be available for Game 1.

While an extended break sometimes hurts teams, Cleveland has a good enough lineup to beat the Los Angeles pitching and come through with a solid performance to win its first World Series since 1948. 

Prediction: Indians 4, Dodgers 2 

Indians vs. Cubs 

Both fan bases think these teams are following destiny to win a title, but only one of them will be left standing at the end.

While the Indians have been able to get by thanks to their bullpen, there are serious questions about the rotation behind Kluber. Josh Tomlin is inconsistent and it’s tough to know what you will get out of Ryan Merritt. While the rookie did pitch 4.1 shutout innings against the Toronto Blue Jays, it will be tougher against the Cubs in the World Series.

What Chicago has going for it is the depth of elite players both in the pitching staff and in the lineup. The hitters went cold for a couple of games during the NLCS, but key players have bounced back at the right time.

Kris Bryant is the likely National League MVP, but players like Addison Russell and Javier Baez are the ones turning heads in the postseason. Jayson Stark of ESPN.com praised the second baseman during Game 5:

With Anthony Rizzo also turning things around over the last two games, there should be a lot of confidence in this lineup.

Additionally, the starting rotation keeps coming at you with Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks, Jon Lester and even John Lackey. The last two are especially valuable thanks to their postseason experience.

Francisco Lindor, Jason Kipnis and others are capable of a big game here or there, but facing top talent on the mound each game is a problem. The Indians are hitting just .208 as a team in the postseason and the Cubs pitchers will make sure those bats don’t come alive.

Cleveland’s bullpen still has a clear advantage and once again Kluber has been lights out, although this won’t be enough to stop the Cubs from winning their first title since 1908.

Prediction: Cubs 4, Indians 3

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Imagine Clayton Kershaw dealing at the height of the Steroid Era or Mike Trout lining up in center field for the New York Yankees during their post-war dynasty.

Thanks to the magic of the proprietary B/R baseball time machine, we have the good fortune of doing just that.

We’ll set the time and we’ll adjust the date, as we drop five of the game’s current megastars into past eras that were perfectly suited for their respective skill sets. For each of those five, we’ll compare them to one of the giants of that by-gone time.

We begin with a trip way back to the dawn on modern baseball when one of the best October aces—not just of today but in history—would have been right at home.

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