A.M. Wahoo’s: Looking to Spoil Chicago’s Celebration

The Chicago Cubs are hosting a World Series game for the first time since 1945, and the Cleveland Indians are looking to ruin the city’s celebration.

By watching the national broadcast of the World Series, one may believe the Cleveland Indians are intruding on the Chicago Cubs’ presence in the series. Much of the focus seems to be on the play of the Cubs, while the Indians’ successes are celebrated with golf claps of commentary.

Now this may be bias on my end, but it is hard to ignore the love of the Cubs being given off by the broadcast team, led by Joe Buck. Just take a drink every time he says Kyle Schwarber‘s name and see if you make it to the fifth inning.

This is indeed annoying, but 2016 is the year of Cleveland against the world, so it fits perfectly into the narrative.

The latest enemy of Cleveland is Chicago, where the fans feel like it is their year. After generations of Cubs fans have gone without a winner, this seems to be their best chance since the 1908 team brought home a championship in a Chicago much different from the current version.

But the series is still tied at 1-1, and one win by the Indians means the series would be heading back to Cleveland for a Game 6.

Game 3 will likely feature Carlos Santana in left field, which is an interesting time to give him a start in the outfield. Terry Francona does not want Santana’s bat out of the lineup, but this is certainly a bold move. But it is hard to argue with any decision made by Francona, even if it means the regular DH is playing a position he has never played before.

The series could be won by either team by Sunday, but fans need to take it one game at a time to avoid going crazy. While we wait for tonight’s first pitch in a historic game at Wrigley, let’s take a look at the news surrounding the Indians and the rest of the MLB in today’s edition of A.M. Wahoo’s.

Cleveland Indians News:

Cleveland Indians Must Avoid Facing Aroldis Chapman

The Cleveland Indians followed the perfect formula to a victory in Game 1 of the World Series over the Chicago Cubs.

Cleveland Indians: Sky Doesn’t Fall After Game Two Loss

There were few in the national baseball media that gave the Cleveland Indians a chance of winning even a solitary game in the series.

Defense Has to be Better Than it Was in Game 2 (Let’s Go Tribe)

Given that the Indians could barely hit the ball Wednesday, striking out twelve times and not collecting their first base hit until the sixth inning, there’s a pretty fair chance they were going to lose Game 2 no matter what quality of defense they played.

Tribe Leaning Toward Santana in LF at Wrigley (Indians.com)

The wind could be howling out at Wrigley Field come Friday night and the brick wall that exists beneath the ivy is unforgiving.

MLB News:

Chicago Cubs: Kyle Schwarber not cleared to play outfield (Cubbies Crib)

After becoming the Chicago Cubs World Series hero in Game 2, questions arose as to whether Kyle Schwarber would be able to play in the outfield as the series moves to Wrigley.

Nats GM Mike Rizzo Mum on Offseason Plans (ESPN.com)

Whether discussing where Bryce Harper or Trea Turner might play next season, assessing the Washington Nationals’ performance or his priorities for the offseason, general manager Mike Rizzo avoided saying much Thursday.