World Series on Sling: It's Back to Cleveland, Where Indians Try Again to Finish Off Cubs
Chicago Cubs (Arrieta 18-8) vs. Cleveland Indians (Tomlin 13-9, 4.40)
Cleveland leads Series 3-2
8pm ET Tuesday on FOX
The Cleveland Indians jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning Sunday night, but couldn’t make it stand up as the Cubs rallied for 3 runs in the 4th off Indians starter Trevor Bauer, including a solo home run from Kris Bryant. Cleveland got one back in the 6th on Francisco Lindor’s RBI single, but Lindor would get caught stealing for the second time in the Series to end the rally. Cleveland would threaten again in the 7th, but Aroldis Chapman came on in relief to record 8 outs for the save and a 3-2 final. It was a huge win for Chicago, but now they must go win two more in Cleveland.
Jake Arrieta hasn’t been his dominant self this postseason, but he pitched well in Game 2 of the World Series, giving up just 1 run in 5 ⅔ innings to help the Cubs pull even at a game apiece. Now he has a chance to help the Cubbies pull even again, but this time the margin of error is much thinner – it’s win or go home.
Josh Tomlin has continued to be the Indians’ lucky charm in the playoffs, winning each time he takes the hill, pitching 15 ⅓ innings while giving up just 3 runs on 9 hits and 4 walks, for a WHIP on .85 and an ERA of 1.76. His last start was his best so far, holding the Cubs scoreless for 4 2/3, with just 2 hits and a walk in the Indians 1-0 win in Game 3.
In addition to having homefield advantage, the Indians also got Andrew Miller some much-needed rest by not using him Sunday. Miller has pitched 17 innings this postseason, 4 more than any other reliever, and more than all but five starters. The Cubs' Chapman, meanwhile, is coming off the longest outing of his career.
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All stats courtesy ESPN and Baseball Reference.