Pitching beats hitting. They put the mighty Red Sox and Blue Jay line ups to shame. Cubs have Hitters but Indians have the secret weapon. Andrew Miller.
Pitching beats hitting. They put the mighty Red Sox and Blue Jay line ups to shame. Cubs have Hitters but Indians have the secret weapon. Andrew Miller.
Three of the four best starters in the series are Cubs. The pen is certainly an advantage but if Rondon and Chapman are on the Cubs have plenty there too.
Pitching beats hitting. They put the mighty Red Sox and Blue Jay line ups to shame. Cubs have Hitters but Indians have the secret weapon. Andrew Miller.
Cubs have pitching as well. Arrietta, Hendricks, Lester, Lackey
others have already chimed in, but yes Cubs hands down have the better pitching. starters 1-4 is no contest and the bullpens are closer than people likely think.
In both of the series they won, and they only lost 1 game. Cubs in 5, but understanding that somehow, some way the Indians may find a way to pull this off.
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Why the Cleveland Indians Will Win the World Series
Eric Schaal MORE ARTICLES
October 24, 2016
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The Cleveland Indians celebrate defeating the Boston Red Sox 4-3 in game three of the American League Divison Series to advance to the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 10, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts.
After 68 years without a trophy, a Cleveland Indians World Series title in in the cards | Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Did anyone pick Cleveland to win the World Series? How about after we learned Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar would miss the postseason? Given the depleted rotation and the ALDS matchup against the Red Sox, things did not look great. The hot bats of Toronto posed the same challenge in the ALCS. No problem — the Indians won seven out of eight games against these powerful lineups. With the roster firing on all cylinders, Cleveland’s ready to win its first World Series since 1948.
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Call it “mojo” or “aura” if you like. Perhaps the most surprising part of the Indians steamrolling the Red Sox in three games was the club’s collective confidence. Whether knocking around Cy Young candidate Rick Porcello or shutting down David Ortiz, Tribe players looked cool as could be. By the time it got around to starting the unknown Ryan Merritt to clinch the ALCS in Toronto, you expected he would twirl a gem in his second career appearance. But mojo alone doesn’t win you a title. Here’s why Indians fans should prepare to celebrate a championship in 2016.
Clutch hitting
Cleveland dominated Boston in several aspects of the game, but the difference in clutch hitting was enormous. Red Sox hitters went 3-for-21 (.143) with runners in scoring position (RISP) and left 28 men on base (Ortiz stranded seven). On the other side, Indians batters went 7-for-16 (.438) and stranded 31. This clutch showing won the Tribe the ALDS.
Corey Kluber of the Cleveland Indians throws a pitch
Corey Kluber’s return to form on the mound is a giant boost to Cleveland’s title hopes | Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
While Boston led the AL in both batting average (.282) and average with RISP (.283) during the regular season, Cleveland hitters maintained a more balanced attack in the postseason. Eight different Indians players produced RBI, with Lonnie Chisenhall leading the way with four. Unlikely contributions from players like Roberto Perez and Brandon Guyer were huge.
Toronto pitchers were much more effective than Boston starters and held Indians hitters down most of the ALCS. But Cleveland took a different tack by turning to the long-ball, hitting six home runs, each of which was a back-breaker for the opposition. The menacing Blue Jays lineup only hit two out of the park, and Cleveland only started two members of its rotation the entire series.
Also look at how the two pitchers are used and what the expectations are.
Cubs strategy will be for their starting pitchers (who are all quite stellar) to pitch deep into the game and ideally hand off a lead to Chapman in either the eighth or ninth inning.
I like this strategy. I like it because it is tested and works.
The beauty of the 104mph fastball is that placement is not all that important within the strike zone. Chapman can be a little off and still very effective.
Most other pitchers need to have excellent command or they get abused.
As I said earlier my bias towards Chapman is based on his overall record and not just how he has pitched recently.
Chapman is the pre-eminent relief pitcher in baseball and the contract he will command this coming off season will reflect that
I understand that Miller pitched well recently but there is a reason he has bounced around in his career.
i'll go with the guy with the long term record of success
Three of the four best starters in the series are Cubs. The pen is certainly an advantage but if Rondon and Chapman are on the Cubs have plenty there too.
Cubs have pitching as well. Arrietta, Hendricks, Lester, Lackey
Why the Cleveland Indians Will Win the World Series
Eric Schaal MORE ARTICLES
October 24, 2016
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
LINKEDIN
STUMBLEUPON
REDDIT
The Cleveland Indians celebrate defeating the Boston Red Sox 4-3 in game three of the American League Divison Series to advance to the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 10, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts.
After 68 years without a trophy, a Cleveland Indians World Series title in in the cards | Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Did anyone pick Cleveland to win the World Series? How about after we learned Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar would miss the postseason? Given the depleted rotation and the ALDS matchup against the Red Sox, things did not look great. The hot bats of Toronto posed the same challenge in the ALCS. No problem — the Indians won seven out of eight games against these powerful lineups. With the roster firing on all cylinders, Cleveland’s ready to win its first World Series since 1948.
What Kind of Caramel Matches Your Personality?
Let your love of caramel guide you in this quiz and discover once and for all which of these delicious treats matches you the best!
ads by Swoop
Call it “mojo” or “aura” if you like. Perhaps the most surprising part of the Indians steamrolling the Red Sox in three games was the club’s collective confidence. Whether knocking around Cy Young candidate Rick Porcello or shutting down David Ortiz, Tribe players looked cool as could be. By the time it got around to starting the unknown Ryan Merritt to clinch the ALCS in Toronto, you expected he would twirl a gem in his second career appearance. But mojo alone doesn’t win you a title. Here’s why Indians fans should prepare to celebrate a championship in 2016.
Clutch hitting
Cleveland dominated Boston in several aspects of the game, but the difference in clutch hitting was enormous. Red Sox hitters went 3-for-21 (.143) with runners in scoring position (RISP) and left 28 men on base (Ortiz stranded seven). On the other side, Indians batters went 7-for-16 (.438) and stranded 31. This clutch showing won the Tribe the ALDS.
Corey Kluber of the Cleveland Indians throws a pitch
Corey Kluber’s return to form on the mound is a giant boost to Cleveland’s title hopes | Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
While Boston led the AL in both batting average (.282) and average with RISP (.283) during the regular season, Cleveland hitters maintained a more balanced attack in the postseason. Eight different Indians players produced RBI, with Lonnie Chisenhall leading the way with four. Unlikely contributions from players like Roberto Perez and Brandon Guyer were huge.
Toronto pitchers were much more effective than Boston starters and held Indians hitters down most of the ALCS. But Cleveland took a different tack by turning to the long-ball, hitting six home runs, each of which was a back-breaker for the opposition. The menacing Blue Jays lineup only hit two out of the park, and Cleveland only started two members of its rotation the entire series.
Likely to happen but still not official
Likely to happen in the AM
The Cubs do not have better relievers. At best it's a tie, and that would be very generous to the cubs.
I agree with everything else though
So you're going to ignore because he throws 104 mph that he simply isn't as good as Andrew Miller
He's given up 3 ER, 6 hits, 4 walks, 10 strikeouts. 2 blown saves I believe.
Miller has pitched 11.2 innings, 5 hits, 2 walks, 21 strikeouts. 0 earned runs.
Chapman is very good, but Miller is on a different level right now
Based on?
The other hasn't even given up a run, never mind blown a save.
But I'll take Chapman in the offseason for a blank check still in The Bronx
Quote:
Chapman over anyone period
Based on?
The period.
They don't make him only get 2 outs in the 9th inning because he throws 104 mph.
Also look at how the two pitchers are used and what the expectations are.
Cubs strategy will be for their starting pitchers (who are all quite stellar) to pitch deep into the game and ideally hand off a lead to Chapman in either the eighth or ninth inning.
I like this strategy. I like it because it is tested and works.
The beauty of the 104mph fastball is that placement is not all that important within the strike zone. Chapman can be a little off and still very effective.
Most other pitchers need to have excellent command or they get abused.
As I said earlier my bias towards Chapman is based on his overall record and not just how he has pitched recently.
Chapman is the pre-eminent relief pitcher in baseball and the contract he will command this coming off season will reflect that
I understand that Miller pitched well recently but there is a reason he has bounced around in his career.
i'll go with the guy with the long term record of success