By Josh:
The clash of teams that haven’t won a World Series title in not only my lifetime but my father’s lifetime, is set to begin on Tuesday in Cleveland. A battle of Midwest team vs Midwest team will excite all of the East coast bias media outlets (don’t even try to deny it ESPN) and West coast ‘what about us’ whiners (yes I know they’re real because I live on the West coast and might be one).
Even though I don’t have a team in the World Series that I cheer for I am still excited to watch this series. You have the juggernaut in the Chicago Cubs and then you have the overachievers in the Cleveland Indians.
The Cleveland Indians have dominated the American League on their path to the World Series. Giving them a lead, even a small one can spell doom for their opponent as the Indians are able to call upon a bullpen that has been nothing less than championship worthy. Andrew Miller has been so overpowering that it earned him ALCS MVP. Just putting a ball in play has been difficult as he is striking out hitters at an unbelievable pace.
The Chicago Cubs bring a solid pitching staff as well but it is their offense that has gotten the attention and for good reason. Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant lead a very dynamic offense that has the ability to put runs on the board in a hurry as we saw against San Francisco and Los Angeles. It also has the ability to go completely cold and get shutout in back to back games.
It would be easy to come out and pick the Cubs. They proved during the regular season that they are a dominate team, and have done what it takes to have a shot at a World Series title that has eluded them since before World War I. In fact do you realize that there were only 46 states last time the Cubs won? How about the fact that sliced bread had not been invented yet. Not even the Titanic had been built.
Okay back on track. The Indians are a team that I didn’t pick to make the playoffs, didn’t pick to win the ALDS, didn’t pick to win the ALCS and now I’m torn as to whether or not to pick them in the World Series. This matchup could be one of the best matchups we have seen in a while. If that is the case I think I may lean towards the Indians winning. However, if one team is going to just dominate and not look back it would be the Cubs.
So who am I picking….I honestly still can’t decide. I have flipped my pick almost 20 times since I started writing this and now 12 hours later I still want to pick both teams. I know that I can’t. So here is my pick and the reason why.
Cleveland Indians – simply because with the Red Sox winning a few World Series already means the Cubs are the last of the ‘cursed’ teams and baseball needs that. Plus if they don’t win then their 108 year drought looks far worse then my Mariners, who still have never even made it to a World Series and haven’t made the playoffs since 2001.