The World Series resumes tonight (7:08pm CDT) at Wrigley Field. Game 3 will be the first World Series game at the old ballyard since Oct. 10, 1945.
Since the last World Series game, there have been 5,647 regular season games, 23 postseason games and three All-Star Games at Wrigley Field. And there have been 405 World Series games at 45 different ballparks.
The Cubs were 57-24 in the regular season at Wrigley and are 4-1 in the five postseason games at home this month.
Kyle Hendricks makes the start tonight in Game 3 of The World Series. Hendricks makes his fourth start of the postseason at Wrigley. Hendricks will have started four of the six postseason games at Wrigley. And he will have started each of the last three games at Wrigley … Game 2 of the NLCS, Game 6 of the NLCS and Game 3 of The World Series.
Hendricks was 9-2 in 15 games, 14 starts, in the regular season at Wrigley with a 1.32 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. Hendricks is 1-1 in three starts this month with a 1.65 ERA and 0.80 WHIP.
Wrigley Field will be like no one has ever seen before. It will be beyond electric and it will be up to the Cubs to score first and often. Kyle Hendricks will have to keep the ball down on a night the wind is expected to be howling out.
Kyle Schwarber
Kyle Schwarber met with the assembled media Thursday at Wrigley after Theo Epstein announced he had not been medically cleared to play in the field for the three games at Wrigley. Schwarber will be available to pinch-hit and said he will have a positive impact for the Cubs when he is able to contribute.
The Cubs and Schwarber are obviously disappointed he cannot play in the field this weekend. Although, Schwarber would not admit it.
“Of course, we’re all disappointed. We’d love to see Kyle out there getting four-plus at-bats a game. But I think it was important to talk to a medical professional, who’s objective and detached from the situation. We’re all wrapped up in seeing how well Kyle swung the bat and how it impacted us and the stage that we’re on and our desire to win. There is the possibility of us getting carried away and throwing caution to the wind. But that’s why you have to consult the doctors and follow their professional judgment,” Theo Epstein said.
“It’s not disappointing at all. It was a long shot at the most. Obviously, I want to be out there for my teammates and everything. It’s just the competitor inside me. But facts are facts. I just can’t physically do it,” Schwarber said.
There is just too much risk involved with Schwarber playing in the field right now.
“The doctors were very convicted that there’s just too much risk in playing the outfield because of the dynamic actions involved, the instantaneous reactions, the need to cut in the outfield, the dynamic, athletic movements that are unanticipated in the outfield,” Epstein said. “This was not just an ACL tear. This was a complete blowout of his knee, multiple ligaments an expected eight-month, return-to-play, best-case scenario. We have to look out for Kyle’s long-term interests. We have a lot of confidence in other guys, too. We won 103 games. We have all the faith in the world in our other outfielders. And on top of that, we now have Kyle off the bench to take maybe the most important at-bat in the game at a given point.”
• David Haugh explained in this must-read report how Kyle Schwarber is living the dream and fulfilling one for a 10-year old fan.
• Comcast SportsNet reported how the Cubs used Kyle Schwarber, the self-proclaimed baseball rat, in their draft room. And Doug Glanville figured out how Schwarber does it.
Kyle Schwarber has been an incredible story to this point of The World Series.
Ben Zobrist
Ben Zobrist had a very good season in his first year with the Cubs. Zobrist has been even better in the postseason. And his bunt in Game 4 of the NLCS is credited with turning that series around for the Cubs.
In the first two games of The Series, Ben Zobrist was 5-for-8 with a double, a triple and a walk (.625/.667/1.000) for a 1.667 OPS. Zobrist has 11 hits this postseason, five for extra bases, and he has walked five times with seven strikeouts in 44 at-bats.
According to Joel Sherman, the versatile veteran the Mets couldn’t land is a hit with the Cubs.
News and Notes
• Anthony Rizzo is heating up for the Cubs as The World Series shifts to Wrigley Field according to the Sun-Times. Rizzo is 8-for-19 with two home runs and three doubles after switching to Matt Szczur’s bat.
• Jason Kipnis grew up a big-time Cubs fans and returns home for The World Series. ESPN Chicago asked who will be cheering for him.
• Andrew Miller is anything but soft according to Jon Heyman.
• Terry Francona is expected to start Carlos Santana in left field for Game 3. Santana hasn’t played in the outfield since 2012.
• Mike Montgomery is 1-1 in seven games this postseason with a 3.09 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. Monty has allowed four runs on 12 hits with four walks and 11 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings. Chris Bosio’s advice to Mike Montgomery paid off at the right time according to the Tribune.
• The Cubs may be young, but don’t lack experience according to a report from MLB.com.
• According to FanGraphs, the postseason strike zone isn’t any better.
• Paul Sullivan reported nights to remember are on deck for Cubs fans at Wrigley Field. With The World Series tied 1-1, Jon Paul Morosi detailed a tale of two cities (video).
• The Tribune reported the Cubs playing deep into October “could influence the decisions of players” to participate in the World Baseball Classic in the spring.
• Wrigley Photo – @WrigleyBlog
We can’t all be like @kschwarb12. pic.twitter.com/GQR90v9hyc
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 27, 2016
CLE ➡️ CHI. Tomorrow. #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/C70Mj5MFie
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 28, 2016
This Day in Cubstory
2015 – Cubs granted free agency to Quintin Berry
2005 – Cubs granted free agency to Nomar Garciaparra
2004 – Cubs granted free agency to Matt Clement, Ramon Martinez, Glendon Rusch, Todd Walker and Mark Grudzielanek
2003 – Cubs granted free agency to Antonio Alfonseca and Dave Veres
2002 – Cubs granted free agency to Jason Bere and Joe Girardi
1999 – Cubs granted free agency to Jeff Blauser, Benito Santiago, Steve Trachsel and Mickey Morandini
1998 – Cubs granted free agency to Mark Clark, Terry Mulholland and Orlando Merced
1996 – Cubs granted free agency to Jaime Navarro
1991 – Cubs granted free agency to Rick Sutcliffe
1987 – The Nippon Ham Fighters purchased Brian Dayett from the Cubs
1983 – Esmailin Caridad, born
1975 – Cubs traded Don Kessinger to the Cardinals for Mike Garman and a PTNBL. Cubs received Bobby Hrapmann on April 5, 1976 to complete the trade.
1974 – Braden Looper, born
1964 – Lenny Harris, born
1937 – Cubs signed free agent Tony Lazzeri