The moment you’ve all been waiting is finally here. Cleveland’s ace Corey Kluber will get the ball on Tuesday in Game 1 of the 2016 World Series, the first time the Indians are making their appearance in the World Series since 1997 and the first time they are attempting to claim the championship since 1948. On the opposite side, the Chicago Cubs, who are spotting a 108-year trophy drought in the World Series and are making their first appearance in this global baseball platform since 1945, will have NLCS co-MVP Jon Lester taking to the mound on the opposite side. Pretty exciting and a hell-of- a-matchup too look forward to, right? Read on below as we preview this highly anticipated MLB betting matchup.
Chicago at Cleveland World Series Game 1 Betting Pick, Prediction & TV Info
When: Tuesday, Oct. 25, 8 PM
Where: Progressive Field, Cleveland
Probable pitchers (away/home): Jon Lester/ Corey Kluber
TV: Fox
Stream: Fox Sports GoRadio: Chicago / Cleveland
MLB Odds: TBA
Why Bet on Chicago?
Having Lester starting on the mound is the best thing that could happen for the Cubs in this series-opener. The southpaw has been the best and most consistent starter for the Cubs this season, particularly since the All-Star break where he’s posted a 26-8 record. So far in the postseason, the NL Cy Young contender has a 0.86 ERA, including a terrific performance in the two starts against the Dodgers in the NLCS where he went 1-0 and allowed just two runs in 13 innings, with the Cubs winning both of those games. Lester and his relievers will be getting backing from Chicago’s enterprising offense that has scored the most runs so far in the playoffs (43 in 9 games), led by NLCS co-MVP Javier Baez who has tallied a team-best 13 hits in the postseason. Of course, Baez will need a strong support from the likes of Willson Contreras, Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell in the offense, given that the Cubs will be going against a very stellar Cleveland pitching staff that has been allowing less than 2 runs per game in the postseason with a 1.77 staff ERA and .206 opponent batting average.
Why Bet on Cleveland?
With a remarkable 2-1 record to go along with a 0.98 ERA in this postseason, Kluber doesn’t need much of an introduction as a big-time pitcher. Most impressive to note about the former CY Young winner is that he has thrown two shutouts in his three postseason games (6-0 win over Boston and 2-0 win over Toronto), with both games being played at home. Getting to toss the ball at Progressive Field this Tuesday should thus be a big boost of confidence for him to give another solid home performance. And even if Kluber may not be able to go past the sixth inning as he’s done in his two home starts this postseason, there shouldn’t be much of worry, as the Tribe has a lockdown left-handed reliever in Andrew Miller, who has arguably been the brightest spot in Cleveland’s postseason charge. Having scored 27 runs in their 8 playoff games shows that the Indians have a good-enough offense, but with Chicago having offensive players who can implode with runs on any given night (10 different Chicago players have hit home runs in this postseason); a much better run support will be required from Cleveland’s offense. This means a star performance must be on showcase this Tuesday from 29-year- old All-Star Jason Kipnis (who is slightly injured but is expected to be healthy for Game 1) and his fellow hitters.
My MLB Picks and Predictions
Outpitching Lester is always a tall task and we don’t expect things to be different for Kluber this Tuesday night. Still, Kluber has been electric and virtually unhittable, especially when playing at home, while Lester has had a bit of some holes in his game when playing on the road. In addition, Miller and his releivers have been playing better in this postseason than Aroldis Chapman and his Chicago relieves. Based on such factors, we believe the Indians will have a bit of some advantage that will allow them to draw first blood with a close win this Tuesday.
Predicted Final Score: Cleveland 3, Chicago 2
Writer’s MLB Winning Pick: Cleveland
