It’s time for The World Series … The Chicago Cubs vs. The Cleveland Indians
The Cubs are in Cleveland and ready to rock as the 112th World Series begins tonight (7:08pm CDT) at Progressive Field. It will be Jon Lester versus Corey Kluber in Game 1.
Monday was World Series Media Day. Joe Maddon and the Cubs talked with the assembled media. Maddon announced his rotation for the World Series and fielded quite a few questions about Kyle Schwarber.
The Cubs make their first trip to the Fall Classic in 71 years while the Indians return to the Series for the first time since 1997. The Indians played in the series in both 1995 and 1997. The last World Series Championship for Cleveland was 1948 when the Indians beat the Boston Braves in six games.
The Chicago Cubs will play their first World Series game today in over 71 years exactly five years to the day that Theo Epstein was introduced as the team’s President of Baseball Operations.
Jon Lester – Cubs World Series Rotation
Joe Maddon announced the Cubs rotation for the World Series. And Jon Lester will start Game 1 on Tuesday night.
The Cubs have Jake Arrieta going in Game 2 on Wednesday. Kyle Hendricks will start Game 3, the first at Wrigley, and John Lackey will get the ball for Game 4.
According to Comcast SportsNet, it was a no-brainer for the Cubs to roll with Jon Lester in Game 1
World Series Umpiring Crew
Major League Baseball announced Monday the umpiring crew for the World Series. John Hirschbeck is the crew chief. Hirschbeck will be in his fifth World Series, third as a crew chief. And his crew includes Joe West.
Kyle Schwarber
Kyle Schwarber is expected to be on the World Series roster when it is announced Tuesday morning. Schwarber completed his short-stint in the Arizona Fall League and flew to Cleveland on Monday night.
Schwarber will reportedly be in the starting lineup for Game 1 as the Cubs DH.
Kyle Schwarber is the only Cubs’ player to ever make his big league debut against the Indians. And he will be the first player to DH for the Cubs in the World Series.
Dexter Fowler, Addison Russell, Jason Heyward, Carl Edwards Jr.
Dexter Fowler is expected to leadoff for the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the World Series. When Fowler steps in the box, he will become the first African-American to play for the Cubs in the World Series.
Fowler, Jason Heyward and Addison Russell will make history Tuesday night according to Bob Nightengale. And Carl Edwards Jr. could also play in Game 1.
Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier two years after the Cubs last played in the World Series.
The players had a chance to talk about this Monday during media day at Progressive Field.
“It’s awesome to be the pioneer, the first one,” Dexter Fowler said to the Sun-Times. “It all wouldn’t be possible without Jackie. It’s going to be great just being here in the World Series, but to add that aspect of it definitely makes it that much better. You look at that and you’re like, `Wow.’ That’s when it really sinks in, and it’s like, `You are the first African-American to play in a World Series as a Cub.’ It’s crazy to even think about that. My parents weren’t even alive back then. It’s a lifetime.”
“That’s a huge accomplishment,” Addison Russell said. “To be in this situation is a joy in itself, but to have that and then hopefully be in the record books for something spectacular like that, I think that’s going to be pretty huge, not only for me, but for my family and some of the other guys’ families as well.”
Carl Edwards Jr.
Carl Edwards Jr. is expected to be on the World Series roster when it is released Tuesday morning. Edwards Jr. left Game 4 of the NLCS with two outs in the seventh. Edwards Jr. was dealing with tightness in his left hamstring that turned out to be a cramp. Edwards Jr. said he was available for games five and six but did not pitch in either game.
Edwards Jr. told Tony Andracki that his hamstring is “a non-issue for the World Series” and confirmed it was just a cramp.
Carl Edwards Jr. should be one of seven relievers on the Cubs roster.
News and Notes
• New team, new pressure, but Joe Maddon won’t change in the World Series according to the Tribune.
• Joe Maddon is one of eight managers in Major League history to lead an AL and NL team to the World Series.
• Kris Bryant believes in the Cubs … not goats or curses according to Patrick Mooney.
• According to Tom Verducci, the Cubs’ faithful have finally been rewarded thanks to talent, teamwork and sure, a little luck.
• Jon Lester held an epic part with Eddie Vedder to celebrate the Cubs going to the World Series according to Jeff Passan.
• The kid at the heart of the Cubs order, young veteran Anthony Rizzo sets the tone according to the Sun-Times.
• Scott Miller posted his thoughts on Javier Baez and Francisco Lindor, droughts, relief aces, Terry Francona, Joe Maddon and World Series edges and angles. Miller thinks Theo Epstein and Terry Francona punched their tickets to Cooperstown with the Cubs and Indians both advancing to the World Series.
• Marc Topkin reported ex-Rays manager Joe Maddon deflects credit the Cubs are eager to give him.
• According to David Haugh, ex-Cub Terry Francona’s personal touch is his professional trademark.
• Jon Heyman explained how the Indians look to spoil the Cubs’ World Series dreams.
• Ken Rosenthal reported the amazing story behind the Chicago Cubs’ No. 11. John Mallee never knew his jersey meant so much.
• National Anthem singer John Vincent is really excited about the Cubs trip to the World Series according to Adrian Garro.
• The Hardball Times: Cubs in the World Series … How Does It Feel?
• According to Comcast SportsNet, the Cubs-Indians World Series matchup makes things awkward for Jason Kipnis’ family and friends.
• Comcast SportsNet explained why the Cubs wouldn’t pay the price for Andrew Miller and got Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees. Brian Cashman wanted either Kyle Schwarber or Javier Baez, plus for Miller.
• The Tribune reported the World Series brings reunion for two pairs of Cubs, Indians. Javier Baez and Francisco Lindor were childhood friends, teammates and remain close. Baez and Lindor were selected with consecutive picks in the 2011 draft. Baez went ninth overall to the Cubs. The Indians selected Lindor with the eighth pick. And Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller were in Spring Training and spent the first part of the season in the Yankees bullpen together.
• The Tribune reported Mike Montgomery reunited with high school teammate/rival Trevor Bauer.
• Chris Coghlan forecasted greatness for Andrew Miller according to the Tribune.
• Kenny Lofton is throwing out the first pitch for Game 1 of the World Series.
• Riggs Stephenson and Jose Cardenal are the only two players that played 300 or more games for the Cubs and Indians according to Christopher Kamka.
• The last time the Cubs won The Series, MLB’s career home run leaders were Roger Connor (138), Sam Thompson (126), Harry Stovey (122) and Jimmy Ryan (118).
• Click here for a must-listen audio montage from Chris Tannehill … Cubs Win the Pennant
And last, but not least, Anthony Rizzo did not sleep with the ball from the final out of the NLCS that punched the Cubs ticket to the World Series … Russell to Baez to Rizzo.
This Day in Cubstory
2012 – Mets selected Anthony Recker off waivers from the Cubs
2011 – Theo Epstein was introduced as the President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs
2006 – Cubs signed amateur free agent Starlin Castro
1994 – Cubs granted free agency to Dan Plesac
1988 – Alberto Cabrera, born
1977 – Cubs traded Jose Cardenal to the Phillies for Manny Seoane
1977 – Cubs acquired Larry Cox from the Mariners for Steve Hamrick
1977 – Cubs traded Jim Todd to the Mariners for Pete Broberg
1973 – Cubs traded Ferguson Jenkins to the Texas Rangers for Vic Harris and Bill Madlock
1965 – Leo Durocher was named manager of the Chicago Cubs … and ended the failed College of Coaches experiment that last five years.
1923 – Bobby Thompson, born
1869 – Jack Doyle, born