Written by James Wagner at New York Times
As the World Series opened on Tuesday night, a matchup between the two teams with the longest championship droughts in the major leagues unfolded before a once-in-a-lifetime backdrop for this city.
The night began with Cleveland Cavaliers unveiling their N.B.A. title banner and rings before their first game of the new season. And 30 minutes later, the Indians resumed their own pursuit, led by the pitcher who has flawlessly guided them through these playoffs.
Already in the midst of a dominant postseason, the Indians ace Corey Kluber, the 2014 American League Cy Young Award winner, outdueled another October hero, the Chicago Cubs’ Jon Lester, en route to a 6-0 victory.
“He’s as good as they come,” Indians reliever Andrew Miller said of Kluber.
An expected pitchers’ duel was decidedly lopsided as the Indians were powered by an unlikely source, the light-hitting catcher Roberto Perez’s two home runs, and Kluber buzzed through a potent Cubs lineup with ease. The Indians seized on Lester’s wayward command for an early lead, while Miller reined in his own to extinguish two potential game-changing rallies by the Cubs.
In a city once known for miserable losing, the Indians capped a joyous day and moved one victory closer to securing their first World Series title in 68 years.
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“The city right now is pretty alive,” said Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, who became the youngest player to have three hits in a World Series game since 1997, the last time the Indians played in the Series. “I like the way people are talking and doing their things.”
Although the Indians entered the World Series as betting underdogs to the Cubs, they have controlled the playoffs. The Indians have lost only once this postseason. More than 63 percent of teams that have won the first game of the World Series have claimed the title. In his career, Indians Manager Terry Francona, who led the Boston Red Sox to two titles, improved to 9-0 in the World Series.
His streak was extended on Tuesday in large part because of Kluber’s stellar World Series debut. With a dizzying array of dancing fastballs and darting curveballs, Kluber struck out eight of the first 11 batters he faced, becoming the first pitcher in Series history to fan that many in three innings.
“Every young pitcher, even every professional pitcher, should watch him pitch,” Miller said. “It’s just a treat. The way he can manipulate the ball is incredible.”
With six dazzling innings, Kluber shut down a Cubs offense that had exploded past the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. He allowed four hits, throwing 88 pitches while becoming the sixth pitcher in World Series history to strike out at least nine and walk none. He has allowed only two runs and struck out 29 batters in 24 1/3 innings this postseason.
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