World Series Game 4: Cubs (103-58-1, 8-5) vs. Indians (94-67, 9-2)
- Game Time – 7:08pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: FOX – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 89, 844(Cubs), 176, 853(Indians)
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
John Lackey, RHP (11-8, 3.35/1.05/3.81) vs. Corey Kluber, RHP (18-9, 3.14/1.05/3.26)
The World Series – Game 4
Indians lead Best-of-Seven Series, 2-1
Weather permitting … The Cubs are down (2-1) but not out and look to even The World Series tonight behind John Lackey.
John Lackey has talked the talk all season. As the cliché goes, now it’s time for him to walk the walk. The Cubs have their backs against the wall in the best-of-seven series and are in need of a win. The Cubs have their hands full with Corey Kluber and will ask Lackey to keep the Indians off the scoreboard.
The Cubs believe the offense will be able to produce against Kluber the second time around and with him on short-rest. Kluber faced the Blue Jays on three days rest in the ALCS and was not as sharp. Kluber gave up two runs on four hits in five innings in a game the Indians lost 5-1. Kluber said he learned from his first experience with pitching on short rest and claimed he is better prepared tonight.
The Indians are looking for Kluber to dominate the Cubs for five innings. Terry Francona will be able to shift to his pen at that point and unleash Andrew Miller and Cody Allen.
The Cubs must get on the board first and build on the momentum that early runs would create. The Cubs are 5-0 in the NLCS and World Series when they score.
Tonight all starts with John Lackey …
John Lackey has a chance to step up again this postseason and put the Cubs in a position to win the game. Lackey makes his third start of the month tonight. The Cubs are 2-0 in his first two starts and that is the only stat that matters.
Lackey has not completed more than four innings in each of his last two starts. Lackey allowed three runs on seven hits in four innings to the Giants in Game 4 of the NLDS. And in the NLCS against the Dodgers, Lackey gave up two runs on three hits with three walks and three strikeouts in four innings.
In eight innings over his last two starts, Lackey has a 5.63 ERA and 1.88 WHIP. And the bottom line is that with Corey Kluber on the mound, Lackey must be better tonight.
John Lackey was 7-4 in 16 starts in the regular season at Wrigley Field with a 2.62 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. Lackey makes his first start at Wrigley since Sept. 21, a seven-inning outing against the Reds.
In 20 career starts against the Indians, Lackey is 8-9 with a 3.92 ERA and 1.40 WHIP.
Indians Career Numbers against John Lackey
- Coco Crisp: 5-for-38 with two home runs and four walks
- Rajai Davis: 12-for-35 with three doubles and one triple
- Jason Kipnis: 2-for-12 with one double
- Carlos Santana: 2-for-10 with one home run and five walks
- Mike Napoli: 2-for-9 with one home run and four walks
- Lonnie Chisenhall: 1-for-12
- Yan Gomes: 0-for-5
- Chris Gimenez: 0-for-2 with one walk
- Brandon Guyer: 0-for-3
- Robert Perez: 1-for-3
- Jose Ramirez: 1-for-2 with one double
The Cubs get another shot at Corey Kluber tonight. In two career starts Kluber has owned the Cubs, and that includes his dominating performance in Game 1 of The World Series.
Kluber surrendered four hits in six shutout innings against the Cubs in Game 1. Kluber did not walk a batter and struck out nine. In two starts against the Cubs, Kluber has 20 strikeouts and no walks in 13 2/3 innings.
The Cubs must make the adjustments they could not four days ago.
In four starts this month, Corey Kluber is 3-1 with a 0.74 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. All of the work is eventually going to catch up to him, the Cubs must make sure that happens early tonight in Game 4.
Cubs Career Numbers against Corey Kluber
- Ben Zobrist: 3-for-16 with one double
- Dexter Fowler: 0-for-10
- Kris Bryant: 0-for-6
- Anthony Rizzo: 1-for-6 with one triple
- Chris Coghlan: 1-for-5 with one double
- David Ross: 2-for-5
- Jason Heyward: 0-for-3
- Tommy La Stella: 0-for-3
- Miguel Montero: 0-for-3
- Javier Baez: 0-for-2
- Addison Russell: 0-for-2
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …
