World Series Game 5: Cubs (103-58-1, 8-6) vs. Indians (94-67, 10-2)
- 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
Jon Lester, LHP (19-5, 2.44/1.01/3.41) vs. Trevor Bauer, RHP (12-8, 4.26/1.31/3.99)
The World Series – Game 5
Indians lead Best-of-Seven Series, 3-1
It’s Game 5 of The World Series and for the Cubs it is simple, play like the best team in baseball or the year will come to an end and the Indians will celebrate a championship at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs turn to Jon Lester tonight and he’s been really good this postseason. And with Lester on the hill that means David Ross will be in the starting lineup in his final game at Wrigley Field.
David Ross has been a rock for this Cubs’ team over the past two seasons. Ross is one of the leaders in the clubhouse and will have his teammates loose and ready to play in Game 5. Ross will have his hands full early controlling the Indians running game.
The Cubs could use a play or two to go their way early in the game while at the same time Lester is throwing zeros on the board. The Cubs have been outplayed throughout The Series but it feels like every dribbler, close play and mistake has gone the Indians’ way. A couple of gifts the Cubs are able to take advantage of will take the pressure off the young players in the dugout and keep the crowd in the game at Wrigley Field.
Joe Maddon is expected to use his full Lester Lineup tonight with Ross catching, Javier Baez at second base and Jason Heyward in right field.
One pitch. One inning. One game at a time. Win Sunday.
Tonight all starts with Jon Lester …
Jon Lester struggled with his command in Game 1 and back-to-back two-out walks in the first inning cost him. Lester lasted just 5 2/3 innings and gave up three runs on six hits with three walks and seven strikeouts. Lester must be better tonight in his final start of the year.
Lester had three very good to excellent outings before facing the Indians to start The World Series. Lester earned the Co-MVP Award in the NLCS. Lester is 2-1 in his last four starts with a 1.69 ERA and 0.94 WHIP.
Jon Lester is 7-1 in 15 regular season games against the Indians with a 3.03 ERA and 1.15 WHIP.
Indians Career Number against Jon Lester
- Rajai Davis: 14-for-49 with three doubles, three triples, one home run and four walks
- Carlos Santana: 4-for-16 with four walks
- Mike Napoli: 6-for-17 with one double, two home runs and three walks
- Coco Crisp: 2-for-13 with one home run and one walk
- Yan Gomes: 4-for-12
- Brandon Guyer: 2-for-9 with one walk
- Jason Kipnis: 3-for-11
- Francisco Lindor: 3-for-6 with one walk
- Lonnie Chisenhall: 0-for-3
- Jose Ramirez: 3-for-3 with one double
- Corey Kluber: 0-for-2
- Roberto Perez: 1-for-2 with one home run
- Michael Martinez: 0-for-1
The Cubs were able to put runs on the board against Trevor Bauer in Game 2 and will have to again tonight. Bauer said Saturday that his pinkie is fine. He took batting practice and the Indians expect him to pitch better tonight than he did four days ago.
The Cubs scored two runs on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings against Bauer in Game 2, and it should have been more. If Bauer pitches like he did Terry Francona will not leave him on the mound as long as he did in Cleveland.
Bauer was 6-4 in 16 games, 12 starts, on the road in the regular season with a 3.67 ERA and 1.32 WHIP.
Trevor Bauer has shut down the Cubs once before at Wrigley and he will look to do so again tonight. The only other start Bauer has made against the Cubs at Wrigley resulted in seven innings of shutout ball and an Indians’ win.
Cubs Career Numbers against Trevor Bauer
- Dexter Fowler: 1-for-7 with one walk
- Jason Heyward: 0-for-6
- Miguel Montero: 1-for-6 with one double
- Kris Bryant: 2-for-5
- Anthony Rizzo: 1-for-3 with one double and two walks
- Addison Russell: 3-for-5
- Ben Zobrist: 1-for-3 with two walks
- Chris Coghlan: 0-for-3
- Javier Baez: 1-for-2
- Willson Contreras: 0-for-1 with one walk
- Jorge Soler: 0-for-2
With the Cubs playing in an elimination game, no matter the outcome I wanted to make sure to thank all of the readers and posters on what could be the last Talkin’. You guys have been great and thanks for making Talkin’ a great place to discuss Cubs games. It has been an incredible season and if the Cubs are able to play like the Nationals League Champions that they are, this will not the final game of the year.
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