World Series first look: Cleveland vs. Chicago Cubs

Cubs players and coaches celebrate on the field at Wrigley Field after winning the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers in Game 6.

By Bill Shaikin

Oct. 22, 2016 9:40 PM PT

Cleveland Indians vs. Chicago Cubs

How they got there

Chicago: Won NL Central with record of 103-58; defeated San Francisco, 3-1, in division series; defeated Dodgers, 4-2, in NLCS.

Cleveland: Won AL Central with record of 94-67; defeated Boston, 3-0, in division series; defeated Toronto, 4-1, in ALCS.

Game 1: Tuesday at Cleveland, 5 p.m., Fox.

Projected starters

Chicago: Lester (19-5, 2.44 ERA)

Cleveland: Kluber (18-9, 3.14 ERA)

A look at the matchup

The Indians get home-field advantage in the World Series because the American League won the All-Star game, in which the winning pitcher was Cleveland ace Corey Kluber. The Cleveland pitching — Kluber and the bullpen tag team of Andrew Miller and Cody Allen — masked an offense that batted .186 in the ALCS, with an unhealthy combination of six home runs and 12 total runs. Still, that’s 11 home runs in eight postseason games. But the Indians’ 7-1 run through the first two rounds of the playoffs mean they’ll have played only five games in 15 days when the World Series opens, and none against pitchers of the big-game caliber of Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jake Arrieta and John Lackey. Party at Napoli’s? Nah. Party in Wrigleyville. Cubs in four.

Schedule

Game 2: Wed. at Cleveland, 5 p.m.

Game 3: Friday at Chicago, 5 p.m.

Game 4: Sat. at Chicago, 5 p.m.

*Game 5: Oct. 30 at Chicago, 5 p.m.

*Game 6: Nov. 1 at Cleveland, 5 p.m.

*Game 7: Nov. 2 at Cleveland, 5 p.m.

All games on Fox (Channel 11).

*if necessary