The balance of excitement and tension. This team understands it well, and the payoff today was so freaking awesome.
Jon Lester went 8.2 scoreless, but couldn’t quite finish off the Indians today. It was still a very good day for Lester – and the defense behind him. Shutouts are hard.
Corey Kluber was overpoweringly good today against the Cubs, which is something he does to a lot of teams. Fortunately, the bats were at least able to work him a bit, so his pitch count was already approaching 100 by the time the Cubs finally broke through on a Chris Coghlan double and Anthony Rizzo triple in the 7th.
For their part, the Indians didn’t break through until the 9th inning when a HBP, a swing bunt, and a single to left tied the game.
As a number of folks joked at the time – is it really a joke at this point? – the Cubs were just setting up the walk-off. Which Kris Bryant delivered. Since he’s done it before, the picture took care of itself.