Survival

I don't believe I have ever watched a night of baseball more full of tension.  Of course, it is not every day the Cubs are involved in a do-or-die World Series game facing elimination in front of 41,000 screaming fans.  It seemed almost by sheer will from the fans and the players that they managed to win and force the series back to Cleveland for a sixth game.  Lets hope it continues on Tuesday.

Some observations:

Chapman earned his money Sunday night.  I have to say I never expected him to be able to dominate the Indians for three innings.  He had certainly not done so against anyone in the past, and he always has looked like a guy who preferred to earn his saves by coming in for a single inning with no one on base.  That fact was undoubtedly part of the sense of impending dread that affected everyone in the stadium and at home watching.  It's not like Chapman is Andrew Miller who seems to do this every other day.  Also, and for future reference should the Cubs or others be tempted to sign him to a long-term deal, Chapman is not really a baseball player so much as he is a superbly endowed athlete capable of one big thing, throwing a baseball 100+ mph consistently.  Teams can run at will on him, and, as we saw in the eighth inning, he doesn't always cover first base.

The Indians are a lot better team than most people think.  They did not crumble when the Cubs had their inning and they made this almost a gladiatorial combat to the end.

Maybe Baez should take batting practice.  Baseball is such a weird game.  You wonder how a player like Baez can look like a superstar who has finally figured it all out through the first two playoff series and look like a complete mope at the plate in this one.

Lester is one helluva big-game pitcher.

The Cubs seem to play very well when their backs are to the wall.  They seem to be able to provide one great offensive inning on a regular basis in these games.  It got them a long way during the season and maybe it will be enough to carry through to a championship.

The series goes to Cleveland Tuesday and potentially Wednesday.  These are evenly matched teams right now.  Home field favors the Indians, but, oddly enough, AL rules favor the Cubs because of their depth and the presence of Schwarber as DH.  The pitching match-ups also give the Cubs an edge if only because their remaining starters will pitch on full rest whereas the Indians starters will both pitch on short rest.

Maddon told the team to wear Halloween costumes on the flight to Cleveland.  Strange, but somewhat endearing none the less.

Go Cubs!