The championship dreams of Chicago Cubs fans across the nation are hanging by a thread in this year’s installment of the World Series.
But, until Tuesday, Cubs fans can keep on hanging.
The Cubs and the Cleveland Indians have duked it out for five games, and the Indians hold a 3-2 advantage heading into Game 6 in Cleveland.
Before the series began, the baseball experts had the Cubs coasting to a World Championship.
“I think the Indians will struggle to get a lead in the series,” Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal told Sports Illustrated on Oct. 24.
Rosenthal, along with co-worker Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated writers Ben Reiter and Jay Jaffe, and a host of other pundits all picked the Cubs to win the series.
The Indians were quick to prove those “experts” wrong.
Cleveland won game one of the World Series on Oct. 25 at Progressive Field by a score of 6-0.
Indians’ pitcher Corey Kluber pitched a masterful six innings, striking out eight of the first nine batters that he faced — a Fall Classic record.
He ended the game with a total of nine strikeouts.
Chicago was able to even the series at one game a piece, winning Game 2, 5-1.
The Cubs’ Kyle Schwarber and Addison Russell combined to deliver a pair of two-out runs batted in and Jake Arrieta kept Cleveland’s offense at bay, striking out six.
Both teams used their bullpens extensively in Game 3 of the series, which saw a total of eight pitching changes.
Cleveland outfielder Coco Crisp provided the lone run scored in the game with a one out single in the seventh inning.
The Indians followed up their Game 3 victory with a win in Game 4.
Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis sparked Cleveland’s offense. Each homered in the second and seventh innings, respectively.
The Cubs entered Game 5 with their backs against the wall. Down 3-1, Chicago was 27 outs away from having its World Series dreams crushed.
The Indians jumped to an early 1-0 lead, but the Cubs responded with three runs in the fourth inning.
Chicago went on to win game five 3-2, narrowly keeping their World Series hopes alive.
The series now moves to Cleveland for Game 6, and if necessary, Game 7.
The Cubs will need more from their offense which, up to this point, Cleveland’s pitching staff has stymied.
With Corey Kluber in line to start the if necessary Game 7, it looks like the Cubs fans will have to wait another year for the championship they so desperately crave.