CHICAGO — Kyle Schwarber of the Chicago Cubs was followed by cameras and cellphones. A couple of pitchers from the Cleveland Indians played hacky sack in the outfield. The giant videoboard in left field flashed “World Series.”
So no, nothing like the last Fall Classic at Wrigley Field.
GAME 3
WHO: Indians (Tomlin 11-9) at Cubs (Hendricks 16-8)
SERIES: Tied 1-1
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
TELEVISION: FOX
The World Series returns to one of baseball’s iconic ballparks Friday night when the Cubs and Indians face off in Game 3 after splitting the first two nights in chilly Cleveland.
It’s the first World Series game at Wrigley since Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg helped the Detroit Tigers to a 9-3 victory in Game 7 on Oct. 10, 1945.
The expectation is, well, even more bedlam than usual. The Cubs, seeking their first championship in 108 years, played in front of packed, frenzied crowds for much of the season, and even the Indians are looking forward to the scene.
“Tomorrow’s going to be unbelievable,” Mike Napoli of the Indians said. “I watched when they clinched to go to the World Series and how crazy it was, and seeing the fans in the streets where they had to have police escorts.
“So it’s going to be fun. It’s something that I wanted to be a part of, and thought that it would be an unbelievable World Series,” he said.
It’s been pretty great so far, and it’s only getting started.
Corey Kluber pitched the Indians to a 6-0 win Tuesday night, striking out nine in a dazzling performance.
After Josh Tomlin makes his third playoff start in the Wrigley opener, Kluber looms over Game 4 on Saturday night on short rest.
The Cubs returned to Chicago on a high after working over Cleveland’s pitching staff in a 5-1 victory Wednesday night. Trevor Bauer lasted just 32/3 innings, beginning a parade to the mound that included six relievers and a total of 196 pitches.
“That was the plan, to get at least one over there and bring it back home,” Cubs second baseman Javier Baez said. “Everybody is excited to be here in Chicago. Everybody has been waiting for this moment.”
Schwarber will be relegated to pinch-hitting moments for the next three games after doctors said it was too soon after major left knee surgery to risk putting him in the outfield. The move takes one of Chicago’s best hitters out of the lineup after a surprising return for the Series.
“We’re going to respect the doctors,” said Theo Epstein, the president of baseball operations. “They’re the professionals here. Kyle understands that. He wants to play, he’s the ultimate gamer, but he understands that the doctor’s judgment has to rule the day in this case.”
Schwarber was ruled out for the year after tearing two knee ligaments in an outfield collision with Dexter Fowler in Chicago’s third game of the season.
But he had an encouraging checkup on Oct. 17, clearing the way for a short stay in the Arizona Fall League before serving as the designated hitter in Cleveland.
Facing major league pitching for the first time in six months, Schwarber doubled and walked in Game 1. He added a pair of RBI singles Wednesday night, leading to lengthy phone conversations with team doctors that ultimately led to the safe route.
“Facts are facts,” Schwarber said. “I just can’t physically do it. So I’m going to be ready at any time during the game to go out there and pinch hit.”
The lack of a designated hitter for the NL park also affects the Indians, sending Carlos Santana to left field for only the second time in his career. He also played left for four innings on Aug. 12, 2012, against Boston.
The Indians managed just four hits against Jake Arrieta and two relievers in Game 2, and are looking at another challenging matchup with Kyle Hendricks going for the Cubs at Wrigley.
Hendricks, the major league ERA leader had a 1.32 ERA in 15 home games this year.
“It just feels like I’m right at home, honestly,” Hendricks said. “I think that’s part of why I’ve had the success here.”
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