Sure, this isn’t the start the Cubs wanted. Their bats went cold in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday in a 6-0 loss.
No need to panic, however. The Cubs were shut out in consecutive games by Los Angeles in the NL Championship Series, and we know how that turned out.
FYI, Game 2 on Wednesday will start an hour earlier, at 6:08 p.m., than originally planned because of a threat of rain the area. Either way, the Cubs need starting pitcher Jake Arrieta to do what Corey Kluber did for the Indians on Tuesday.
3 UP
Wall, meet Grandpa Rossy
Usually it’s outfielders who are known for crashing into walls to save the day for their pitchers. Well, Jon Lester owes David Ross a nice scalp massage for tracking down a foul ball behind the plate and plowing into a screen to end the first inning. He’s got plenty of protective equipment on, but the helmet gets cast aside in such situations. Bottom line, Ross kept a two-run inning from potentially becoming much, much worse.
And that’s before he singled in the third and gunned down Francisco Lindor trying to steal (with some help from tag master Javier Baez). You’d think runners would know better by now.
Corey Freakin’ Kluber
The body language of the Cubs’ hitters told the story Tuesday. They were shaking their heads more often than not while trying to square up Corey Kluber’s pitches. The Cleveland ace made MLB postseason history by recording eight strikeouts in the first three innings.The Cubs managed just four hits off Kluber in six innings. That stinks if you’re a Cubs fan, but it’s mighty impressive regardless.
Sooooo … free tacos!
When the Indians’ Francisco Lindor stole second in the first inning, he secured free tacos for the entire country. A Taco Bell promotion gives everyone free eats on Nov. 2 (there’s the catch). Hey, when the Cubs take one on the chin, you have to take the good with the bad.
3 DOWN
Down in front
Every time a right-handed batter came up in Game 1, a guy in view of the camera held up one of two signs: “Bartman for President” or “Cubs 84 + 03 chokers.” He could have made fun of Lester’s throwing, Javier Baez stepping in front of teammates to catch pop-ups, John Cusack’s questionable choices in movie roles, whatever. Be more original or leave the signs at home.
Keep it moving, Carlos
Carlos Santana took a page out of the soccer handbook Tuesday. The Cleveland designated hitter delayed the bottom of the third inning by several minutes with a leg injury, sitting down while trainers tended to him. All this clearly bothered Lester, who no dobut didn’t appreciate being made to wait in the cold while Santana decided whether he could still run.
BE LOUDER, UMP
Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant must have felt a little sheepish when he struck out in the first inning. Not because he was called out looking, but because he must have meen a third of the way down the line before realizing he hadn’t walked on a 3-2 pitch. We’re guessing Bryant just didn’t hear umpire Larry Vanover over the din caused by Cleveland fans at Progressive Field. At least, that’s what we’re choosing to believe.
@redeyesportschi | chsosa@redeyechicago.com
WORLD SERIES SCHEDULE
Cleveland leads series 1-0
Game 1: Indians 6, Cubs 0
Game 2: at Indians, 7:08 p.m. Wednesday
Game 3: at Cubs, 7:08 p.m. Friday
Game 4: at Cubs, 7:08 p.m. Saturday
Game 5*: at Cubs, 7:15 p.m. Sunday
Game 6*: at Indians, 7:08 p.m. Nov. 1
Game 7*: at Indians, 7:08 p.m. Nov. 2
*If necessary
