No matter your rooting interests in this World Series, the outcome of Game 6 of the World Series was good for all of baseball. For Cubs fans, your interest in a Game 6 is obvious. Even if you are a disappointed Indians fan, part of you must admit you are relishing the opportunity to win your first World Series since 1948 at home.
It is also good for baseball to see these two teams play against one another again. The three game set in Chicago was as good as it gets. Game 3 was an all timer with a great 1-0 nothing game featuring both managers flexing their strategic prowess throughout the game. Ultimately, it was Terry Francona‘s decision to pinch hit Coco Crisp, thereby removing the most dominant pitcher this postseason, Andrew Miller, from the game that helped net the Indians the victory.
Game 4’s 7-2 victory was a lot closer than it seemed. This was a 4-1 game entering the seventh inning. Corey Kluber was great again, but on just three days rest, he seemed more hittable (he really wasn’t). Miller wasn’t locating his slider as well, and a result, the Cubs seemed more confident at the plate. However, it was really over after the seventh. Still, there were some all time moments from this game. First, Jason Kipnis became the first player to ever hit a home run at a World Series night game in Wrigley Field. It just so happened that it was also the first World Series home run hit by a visiting player at Wrigley Field since Babe Ruth. Also, when Dexter Fowler hit his eighth inning home run, he became the first non-white player to hit a World Series home run at Wrigley Field.
Early on in Game 5 things looked bleak for the Cubs despite Jon Lester dealing. Then Kris Bryant led off the top of the fourth with a home run that awoke the Cubs leading to a huge three run inning. David Ross, playing in his last ever home game, almost took one out for a grand slam. Instead, he would have to take solace in the fact that he hit a sacrifice fly to make it a 3-1 game. It was an important run as the Indians fought back and scored another run in the sixth. With the Cubs rallying in the seventh, Joe Maddon took no more chances and sent Aroldis Chapman out there for the eight out save. Chapman just came in and blew the Indians away.
It was as good a three game set in a World Series you could have asked for this side of the 1991 World Series. With the three game set being in Wrigley, you were also treated to Bill Murray, Vince Vaughn, and Eddie Vedder singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”
For David Ross. @PearlJam frontman Eddie Vedder leads @Cubs‘ fans in ‘Take Me Out To The Ballgame’. #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/almL4eCAgb
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 31, 2016
It was a great three games, and it is a big reason why baseball ratings are now surpassing NFL ratings. That’s more impressive when you consider it was a divisional matchup featuring the Dallas Cowboys, and the game went into overtime.
So far, this has been a very good World Series, and depending on what happens in Cleveland, it could become a great World Series. In many ways, this World Series (aside from the wildly changing strike zone) is why you are a baseball fan and why baseball is great. No matter who you are rooting for, you should want to see more of the same. Apparently, America does.