The Indians also count on newly acquired Juan Uribe to help Francisco Lindor anchor the left side and avoid 2015's first half fielding woes. Splitting 2015 with the Boston Red Sox and the Texas Rangers, Napoli also committed just seven errors in 929 chances for a.992 fielding percentage. The Indians signed veteran free agent first baseman Napoli to a one-year contract. In 2015, Kipnis had 311 assists and committed only seven errors in 521 chances. But Indians manager Terry Francona shows great confidence in second baseman Jason Kipnis and first baseman Mike Napoli, and with good reason. Left-handed batters tend to pull the ball to the right side of the infield against right-handed pitching. Of the 14 Indians pitchers, only 30-year-old Ross Detwiler is a lefty. The Indians do have arguably the quirkiest pitching staff. The big question is: Can the Cubs and Indians actually make this happen?Ĭhristina Kahrl, an MLB staff writer for ESPN, believes the Indians have one of the best starting rotations in the American League. But did those numbers only prove that the rest of the country's fans didn't care about what went on in New York? Lots of fans live in the Midwest, too, and many are Cubs and Indians fans.
#2016 world series baseball games series#
Why not a Twin Underdog World Series? An End of the Curse Championship? The television ratings for the rare 2000 Subway Series between the Yankees and Mets were anaemic. Everyone loves an underdog, and pitchmen love rare and unique items and events. Major League Baseball's marketing department might agree.įew World Series match-ups could be as easily marketed. Then, after seven more appearances, they lost the 1945 Series to Detroit. They beat the Detroit Tigers in back-to-back Series in 19. The Chicago Cubs are baseball's special case, though.
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The Cleveland Indians last won the World Series in 1948, beating the Boston Braves in six games. But the possibility might not seem too far-fetched to many who follow the game.īoth franchises have suffered well-documented championship droughts. The Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians meeting in the 2016 World Series? To some, it could signal the End Times.