Written by Mark Feinsand at New York Daily News.com
The Indians took two of three from the Cubs at Wrigley Field over the weekend, leaving them on the precipice of their first World Series title since 1948.
To finish the job, the Tribe now has to contend with Kyle Schwarber.
Schwarber was Chicago’s best hitter during the first two games of the World Series, returning after missing more than six months with a torn ACL to go 3-for-7 with two RBI, reaching base in five of his nine plate appearances.
Schwarber was limited to one pinch-hitting appearance during the three games at Wrigley Field as doctors wouldn’t clear him to play the outfield. With the designated hitter rule back in play for Game 6, Schwarber will return to the Cubs’ lineup as they try to force a winner-take-all Game 7.
Cubs happy to get Kyle Schwarber back into lineup for Game 6
“I’m a much bigger fan of the National League game in general, but under these circumstances where we are right now in the year, I’ll take that American League game just to get Schwarbs involved,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “I’m very excited about writing his name in tomorrow.”
Schwarber will rejoin a lineup that hasn’t produced much through the first five games, scoring 10 runs while being shut out twice. Sunday, the Cubs broke out for three runs in the fourth inning against Trevor Bauer, but they were unable to add to the lead over the final five innings, riding Jon Lester and Aroldis Chapman to a 3-2 victory.
“It gives them a little more balance,” Indians manager Terry Francona said of Schwarber’s return. “It gives them some thunder that they’ll situate right in the middle, which you have to respect. But they’ve got a lot of other good bats, too. I think people can get carried away with some things. Again, we respect him, but we also respect the other guys.
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