Pre-World-Series-Gamin’: Cubs at Indians (7:00 CT) – Lineup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

I can’t tell you to breathe and I can’t tell you to you to just enjoy it, because I will not be able to do either of those things myself tonight.

These are stressful times, Cubs fans, there’s no doubt about it, but it’s what we’ve signed up for.

The Chicago Cubs are probably the best “true talent” team in baseball, but that no longer matters. They’ll have to beat the Indians in two straight games on their home turf, against pitchers that have mostly dominated the Cubs this series. It’s not going to be easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

I genuninely believe in them. Or rather, I genuinely believe that each and every one of the Cubs will fight as hard as they can down to the very last strike. They have all season long, and nothing has changed. These are your Chicago Cubs, and if history is going to be made, it might as well be historic.

Jake Arrieta takes the ball for the Cubs, after taking a no-hitter against these very Indians in this very stadium into the sixth inning of Game 2. He didn’t have his best command that night, but the movement on his pitches overwhelmed the Indians’ hitters as it tends to do with so many hitters across baseball. There is not a more confident pitcher in baseball than Jake Arrieta. I’m glad he’s going tonight.

Opposing the Cubs is righty Josh Tomlin, who gave them serious fits in Game 3 of the World Series. He may have only gone 4.2 innings that night, but it took him just 58 pitches and he was cruising through the Cubs lineup. With a well-rested Andrew Miller available (with nothing but the offseason in sight), the Cubs will very much need to get an early lead, but I have faith. Two more wins is all they need. Let’s. Go.

#CubsInSeven

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Game Info

Cleveland Indians at Chicago Cubs (Indians lead 3-2) – 7:00 pm CT on FOX, 670 The Score, ESPN Radio

Game Thread and Series Preview

Your game thread is down in the comments, so let’s have some good, clean (safe-for-work) fun.

The Series Preview lives here. The Lineup Discussion lives here.

Starting Pitchers

Cubs: Jake Arrieta (R): 3.10 ERA, 3.52 FIP, 3.68 xFIP; 2.50 K/BB

versus

Indians: Josh Tomlin (R): 4.40 ERA, 4.88 FIP, 4.13 xFIP; 5.90 K/BB

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Cleveland Indians:

1. Carlos Santana, DH
2. Jason Kipnis, 2B
3. Francisco Lindor, SS
4. Mike Napoli, 1B
5. Jose Ramirez, 3B
6. Lonnie Chisenhall, RF
7. Coco Crisp, LF
8. Tyler Naquin, CF
9. Roberto Perez, C

Chicago Cubs Lineup:

1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Kyle Schwarber, DH
3. Kris Bryant, 3B
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Ben Zobrist, LF
6. Addison Russell, SS
7. Willson Contreras, C
8. Jason Heyward, RF
9. Javier Baez, 2B