PREMIUM
Rogers' World Series Game 5 O/U Winner >> 18-8 Overall Since Tuesday!
(MLB) Cleveland vs. Chi Cubs,
10/30/2016 4:15 PM, Score: 2 - 3
Total: 7.00 | -100.00 Over
Result: Win
Total: 7.00 | -100.00 Over
Result: Win
The set-up: The Cubs bats went silent in last year's NLCS against the Mets, as Chicago got swept 4-0. However, it was supposed to be different here in 2016, as the Cubs were MLB's best team in the regular season and were appearing in their first World Series since 1945, looking to win their first title since 2008. That hasn't been the case though, as the Cubs got shut out twice in the first three games of this series and then last night lost 7-2, as the Indians took a commanding 3-1 lead in the 2016 World Series. The Cubs are batting .204 as team and have scored a total of just two runs in their three losses. Cleveland pitching has been phenomenal all postseason (1.68 ERA / 1.05 WHIP / 120-31 KW ratio / .206 BAA) and it's continued here vs. the Cubs. The Indians haven't needed to score much (had scored a modest 35 runs through their first 11 postseason games) but last night scored a postseason single-game high of seven runs, led by a solo HR from Santana (which tied the game in the second) and then a three-run HR in the 7th by Kipnis, sealed the deal.
The pitching matchup: Trevor Bauer (0-1, 5.00 ERA) takes the ball for the Indians, up against Chicago's (2-1, 1.69). Bauer lasted just 3 2/3 innings while allowing two runs and six hits in a Game 2 loss (Cleveland's only one of the Series so far) and has been the lone weak spot of Cleveland's starting rotation. In his three starts (one in which he left in the first inning because of a bleeding finger), he's lasted just nine innings, allowing 12 hits (two HRs), four walks and five ERs for a 5.00 ERA. Kluber (5), Tomlin (3) and Merritt (1) have started nine games, pitching 50 innings while allowing 33 hits and six ERs for a 1.08 ERA. Lester has a 1.69 ERA in the 2016 playoffs with 21 strikeouts and five walks plus his postseason resume includes 20 games (18 starts) with a 2.60 ERA.
Lester might (should?) win the NL's Cy Young award this year and is exactly the pitcher the Cubs want on the mound tonight, in this win-or-go-home game. Clearly, Bauer is Cleveland's weakest starter right now but can we expect these Chicago bats to break out, as the pressure of "ending the curse" seems to have been too much for the talented but very young team? Will the Cubs win and send this series back to Cleveland? Maybe, but I'd rather make an 8* play on the Under.
The pitching matchup: Trevor Bauer (0-1, 5.00 ERA) takes the ball for the Indians, up against Chicago's (2-1, 1.69). Bauer lasted just 3 2/3 innings while allowing two runs and six hits in a Game 2 loss (Cleveland's only one of the Series so far) and has been the lone weak spot of Cleveland's starting rotation. In his three starts (one in which he left in the first inning because of a bleeding finger), he's lasted just nine innings, allowing 12 hits (two HRs), four walks and five ERs for a 5.00 ERA. Kluber (5), Tomlin (3) and Merritt (1) have started nine games, pitching 50 innings while allowing 33 hits and six ERs for a 1.08 ERA. Lester has a 1.69 ERA in the 2016 playoffs with 21 strikeouts and five walks plus his postseason resume includes 20 games (18 starts) with a 2.60 ERA.
Lester might (should?) win the NL's Cy Young award this year and is exactly the pitcher the Cubs want on the mound tonight, in this win-or-go-home game. Clearly, Bauer is Cleveland's weakest starter right now but can we expect these Chicago bats to break out, as the pressure of "ending the curse" seems to have been too much for the talented but very young team? Will the Cubs win and send this series back to Cleveland? Maybe, but I'd rather make an 8* play on the Under.
