The Cubs first World Series game at Wrigley Field did not go the way many thought it would. It was a disappointing loss on a night that was described as beyond electric at the old ballyard.
With the wind blowing out at Wrigley there was a grand total of one run scored in the game. The Cubs were shutout for the fourth time this postseason and second time in The Series. The Cubs were blanked six times in 162 regular season games. The Cubs tied the all-time record set by the 1905 Philadelphia A’s by being shutout for the fourth time in the postseason. And on the flip side, the Indians set a new postseason record. The Indians have five shutouts this postseason, the most in a single year.
Kyle Hendricks has now started two of the three postseason games in which the Cubs have lost 1-0.
“It’s rare that you see those conditions, and it’s a 1-0 baseball game,” Joe Maddon said. “But that’s how it works out sometimes. From our perspective, we got out of the zone way too much. We’ve got to get our strike zone organized again for tomorrow night’s game.”
The Cubs expanded their zones and chased pitches they should have let go. And the hard contact that was made seemed to find gloves. Maddon did not think his players were overwhelmed with it being the first World Series game at Wrigley Field in 71 years.
“I don’t think it was the residue of our guys being overwhelmed by the situation at all. I thought our guys, evidenced by how well we played defense, we had great awareness on defense, so the minds are working good. We just chased a little bit,” Maddon said.
The Cubs are trailing in a best-of-seven series 2-1 with a big mountain to climb, sound familiar?
World Series News and Notes
Here are the post-game reports from Game 3 …
• The Tribune reported the winds were blowing out, Wrigley’s atmosphere was electric, but the Cubs found themselves harnessed and baffled. The bats took another hiatus as Cubs lost 1-0 to Indians in Game 3 according to the Sun-Times.
• Comcast SportsNet reported the Cubs still believe after not living up to the Wrigley, World Series hype that they will be going back to Cleveland. The Indians pushed the right buttons in Game 3 of The World Series according to Comcast SportsNet.
• The importance of managers and bullpens are on display in The World Series according to Bruce Levine.
• ESPN Chicago reported the bats are quiet and the Cubs are down. Can they rebound?
• MLB.com reported the Cubs offense stalls in Game 3. Tim Brown asked if Jorge Soler could have scored.
• Kyle Hendricks did not allow any runs on Friday night in Game 3 despite having a one of his worst starts at Wrigley this year. Hendricks finished the season (regular season, postseason) with a 1.32 ERA and 0.88 WHIP at home according to Christopher Kamka.
• Prior to Game 3, Joe Maddon would not rule out Jason Heyward starting another game in The World Series. Heyward’s incredibly disappointing season at the plate has prevented Maddon from using him in The Series, which has also cost the Cubs.
• Justin Grimm induced the first double play of his season to get out of the bases loaded jam in the fifth inning of Game 3.
Four.
Six.
Three. pic.twitter.com/2c7eNQHXMJ— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 29, 2016
• Willson Contreras is the only player on the Cubs roster that was signed before the Ricketts family bought the team.
• Comcast SportsNet reported Indians bullpen throws 4 1/3 scoreless innings in World Series Game 3 win over the Cubs. The Tribe blanked the Cubs and ruined the Wrigley homecoming according to ESPN.
Indians Rotation
Terry Francona confirmed Friday that Trevor Bauer will start Game 5 on Sunday. The Indians are sticking with a three-man rotation for The World Series.
Francona has Corey Kluber (Game 4), Trevor Bauer (Game 5), Josh Tomlin (Game 6) and Corey Kluber (Game 7) on tap for the next four games.
Cubs Baseball Operations Department
The Cubs honored their baseball operations staff prior to Game 3 of The World Series. As the front office did last year prior to the first game of the NLDS against the Cardinals at Wrigley, the baseball operations department was recognized at Wrigley Field on Friday night.
Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod simply get it and what the Cubs did for all the people behind the scenes is not common practice throughout the league.
Thanks to our #Cubs Baseball Operations staff! ???? #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/lx6bYjx2EU
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 28, 2016
From Cubs Scouts to minor league coaches everyone in the organization is here. pic.twitter.com/E06yWBZvEm
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) October 28, 2016
News and Notes
• Jed Hoyer made the ‘mistake’ of trading Corey Kluber and now the Cubs GM must beat him according to the Sun-Times. Comcast SportsNet reported Jed Hoyer replays Corey Kluber trade that could define The World Series.
• The Sun-Times asked where Kyle Schwarber goes from here and does he catch again.
• Chip Caray shed a tear Friday at Wrigley Field according to the Sun-Times.
• ESPN Chicago reported on the former Cubs, celebrity fans that are expected to attend games at Wrigley Field this weekend.
• According to Dan Haren, the Cubs scouting department also provides starting pitchers with detailed information on the homeplate umpire’s strike zone.
• Curtis Granderson is the 2016 Roberto Clemente Award Winner.
• Jim Bowden addressed several World Series issues, including four-hour games and botched home-field advantage.
• The Tribune reported with or without Cubs clinching Series, the Ricketts family as a $2 billion ballclub. Forbes values the Cubs at $2.2 billion.
World Series edition of the W rally towel. #Cubs Game 3: https://t.co/6KMMWDP0w6 pic.twitter.com/ss357bOaZa
— Brian Cassella (@briancassella) October 28, 2016
Counting down to Game 3 with a look at the @Cubs in 1908 and today #FlyTheW #WorldSeries ???? pic.twitter.com/g4QTK82FFW
— Getty Images Sport (@GettySport) October 28, 2016
This Day in Cubstory
2015 – Cubs granted free agency to Jonathan Herrera
2014 – Cubs granted free agency to James McDonald
2012 – Cubs granted free agency to Alfredo Amezaga, Shawn Camp and Justin Germano
2008 – The Brewers claimed Casey McGehee off waivers from the Cubs
2007 – Cubs granted free agency to Cory Bailey, Mike Mahoney, John Nelson, Ryan O’Malley, John Webb, Ben Howard and Kerry Wood
2004 – Cubs signed free agent Rene Reyes
2004 – Cubs granted free agency to Paul Bako, Nomar Garciaparra, Ben Grieve and Tom Goodwin
2003 – Cubs granted free agency to Mark Grudzielanek and Tony Womack
2001 – Cubs signed free agent Ben Ford
1996 – Cubs granted free agency to Dave Magadan
1991 – Arismendy Alcantara, born
1990 – Jae-Hoon Ha, born
1990 – The Hanshin Tigers purchased Marvell Wynne from the Cubs
1949 – Cubs signed amateur free agent Jim Fanning
1929 – Cubs selected Les Ball off waivers from the Boston Braves