October 25, 2016: World Series Preview

Yes, I still get excited saying it:  the Cubs are in the World Series.  That excitement will remain throughout the introductions & the anthem.  Once the first pitch is thrown, the excitement will shift towards 100% focus on the task at hand.  Hopefully, the Cubs have already shifted into that mode.  It’s Cubs Indians for the World Series crown.

So how will this play out?  Let me tell you.  I was off by a game in the NLDS, and was right on target in the NLCS.  Of course, I cannot pick against the Cubs, and this series is no different.  Somebody asked me if I was betting on the Cubs; I said, no, I couldn’t do that.  Betting on the Cubs would be betting with my heart, and if you know anything about gambling, that is not usually a good thing.  However, in this case, and understanding that I can never take my heart out of it, it would seem like the head and heart would agree.  We are good.

Yes, the Indians are good too.  You can’t overlook them.  You can’t overlook any team that has made it this far.  They are battle tested.  They are the underdogs in this series; they’ve been the underdogs all year.  I guess some folks thought they’d win the AL Central; not too many.  They did.  The Red Sox were a huge favorite in the ALDS; the Indians swept them.  Toronto was a big favorite in the ALCS; the Indians beat them in 5 games.  They’ve proven the skeptics wrong all year; will they do it again on the biggest stage?

I really like their manager.  Francona is really good.  I remember when Michael Jordan went to the minor leagues in his baseball phase.  Francona was his manager; I’ve heard many stories there.  Obviously, he and Epstein partnered up to make some history in Boston as well.  One of them will make history in another city after this series is said and done.

Their lineup isn’t great, but it’s good enough.  Lindor has been the Indians’ version of Baez this postseason; a young kid who is having a coming out party this postseason.  I’m familiar with Kipnis and Santana, both players on my fantasy teams over the years.  Napoli is an ex-Red Sox player who will face off against Lester, Ross, and Lackey on the Cubs.  Without looking, I’m not sure I can name anybody else… oh yeah, Tyler Naquin, and the only reason I know him was that I was going to pick him up this year in fantasy baseball.

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What more can I say about the Cubs that I haven’t already said?  Well, here’s something.  Kyle Schwarber is on the World Series roster; I checked… it is official.  Wow!  When he got injured back in the first week of the season, I felt bad.  I didn’t think we’d miss him all that much in the regular season, but considering his post season heroics, thought we would miss him then.  More than anything, I felt bad about him potentially missing a special season.  He has been there throughout; he’s worked his ass off.  The Cubs stayed true to him and didn’t trade him.  Now, he’s available earlier than anybody would have thought.  I’m happy he’s on the roster.  I think it’s a great move, and here’s why.

I know he hasn’t seen major league pitching in almost a whole year; I do get that.  I also know that this kid is a natural hitter; he can flat out rake.  I also know he has been cleared medically; he hit in 2 games in the last couple days, and actually slid into 2nd base on a double.  If the doctors have cleared him, then why not?  The biggest concern would be if he re-injures himself.  What’s the worst that can happen at the plate?  He strikes out a bunch?  Like we haven’t seen that from Heyward already.  But here’s the thing… if out of his 15-20 at bats, he comes up in a big situation, and he comes through, with a big RBI, or better yet, a home run, it would be 110% worth it.  Tell me you can’t see that happening?  He could win a game for us; that is the truth.  That is why he is on this roster.

I could go on and on here about this series, and I will.  But for now, let’s get to the prediction.  Cubs in 5.  I do think Cleveland gets one at home, but I think once it gets back to Wrigley, it never returns.  That is my dream at least.  For the Cubs to win the World Series in Wrigley.  We’ve beaten the Cardinals in a postseason series in Wrigley; we’re won the NLCS/clinched a World Series berth there.  Only one thing remains, but trust me, I won’t get mad if it’s in 6 or 7; as long as the Cubs win it all.

It’s less than 10 hours away now.  We will see our Cubs play in a World Series game.  This is what it is all about.  It’s time.  It’s time to complete the mission.  It’s time for the Cubs to win a World Series title.  That time is now.  And one more thing… to my Mom, today on her birthday, one of the biggest Cubs fans, Happy Birthday!!!  For that matter, for all Cubs fans, Happy Birthday to all of us!!!  Let’s Go Cubs!!!!