World Series Open Thread: Game 5, Indians at Cubs

Cleveland Indians at Chicago Cubs (Indians lead series 3-1)

Time/Place: 8 p.m. ET, Wrigley Field, Chicago, Ill.

TV: Fox

National Anthem: Former Cubs PA announcer Wayne Messmer

First Pitch: Freddie Morales and Andre Dawson

Pitching Matchup: RHP Trevor Bauer (4.26 ERA in 2016) vs LHP Jon Lester (2.44 ERA in 2016)

Outlook

This is a sticky situation for the Cubs. If they are going to win the World Series, they’ll need to win three elimination games in a row. Tonight, their hopes lie on the shoulders of Jon Lester. As long as nobody gets on base (click here for an explanation), he’ll be fine. Trevor Bauer is starting for the Indians.

Hitters to fear are Addison Russel (2-for-3 career against Bauer) from Chicago and Rajai Davis (.325 BA, 1 HR in 40 AB career against Lester) from Cleveland.

Prediction

The Cubs don’t do anything against Bauer and the Indians pop champagne in the visiting clubhouse.

Who are you rooting for?

Note: This could be the last MLB game of the year, and I just want to let y’all know that I am so thankful for this beautiful community. I love each and every one of you with all my heart. Yes, even you, person I’ve never talked to, because you’re reading this right now. Thank you all for accepting me back in May with open arms, even though I got into a huge embarrassing debate/argument that required apologies to at least four people the night I joined (I can’t remember how many exactly). Without your support I wouldn’t have stayed and discovered just how incredibly wonderful it is here. Thank you for sharing this season and this sport with me.