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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