The Chicago Cubs are playing the Cleveland Indians in the World Series.
Just let that sink in for a moment. Go back and read that sentence again if that hasn’t registered with you yet.
It’s widely know that the Cubs haven’t won a World Series since 1908. The Indians haven’t had much luck either. Their World Series drought stretches back to 1948, which adds up to 68 seasons without bringing home a world championship. One of those droughts will end this year.
Full disclosure, I am an Indians fan, but can I respect everything the Cubs have done this season. They won 103 games for a reason, and on paper, I’ll admit they look better than the Indians with the talent they have in every aspect of the game.
However, while all you Cubs fans have only been paying attention to your team throughout the playoffs, the Indians have quietly been the best team in the postseason. Not only have they taken down powerhouses like the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays, but they’ve also only lost one game while doing so.
I don’t mean to sound like a homer, but the Indians’ story is just as compelling as the Cubs. I get the whole billy goat curse and 108 years and Theo bringing a championship to the Cubs; it’s notoriously popular,but the big story a lot of people seem to be overlooking is the fact that the Tribe are in the position that they’re in against all odds.
First, consider their payroll is nowhere near that of the Cubs. I know the Cubs have some homegrown talent, but they’ve also brought in top-of-the-line free agents such as Jon Lester, Ben Zobrist and John Lackey who have made big impacts.
The Indians have just as much talent from their own system with Francisco Lindor, Jason Kipnis and Jose Ramirez, but they’re unable to sign the big name free agents. They’re left to sign the less known players like Mike Napoli, Rajai Davis and Dan Otero to become important role players on their team.
When the Indians sign these role players, their success hinges on how well they perform. Luckily for them, it worked in their favor this season. Napoli led the team in home runs with 34, Davis led the American League with 43 stolen bases and Otero was a key part to the Tribe’s bullpen with a 1.53 ERA in 62 appearances.
Compare the way the Cubs built their team to the way the Indians built theirs. The Cubs were expected to be in this spot while people doubted that the Tribe could even win a game against the Red Sox in the Division Series.
Yet here the Tribe sit. They somehow found a way to win postseason games with an offense that is led by a 22-year old shortstop and a “washed up” 34-year old first baseman.
Not to mention, the Indians winning ways in the playoffs have also been rather impressive considering they’re missing two of their best pitchers in Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar. If you were to compare that to the Cubs, it’d be like taking Jake Arrieta and Kyle Hendricks away from their starting staff. Who knows where the Cubbies would be without those two in their rotation.
Whatever way you look at it, this should be one hell of a series and one that baseball fans will remember for a long time. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill World Series that features the San Francisco Giants or the Boston Red Sox or even the New York Yankees. The Indians haven’t been in this position since 1997 and for the Cubs, it’s been since 1945.
It’s hard for me to predict what I think will happen. So many variables play a factor when looking at a playoff baseball series, but if I had to go with my gut feeling, I’ll say Indians in six (sorry if you think I’m being a homer again).
Either way, good luck to the Cubs and may the best team win.
