You Decide

Kyle Schwarber reached base twice last night in four at-bats, on a double and a walk, with the double inches from clearing the wall in right field.  That’s your glass half-full.  Schwarber also struck out twice, stranding three base runners, two in scoring position.  That’s your glass half-empty in a Cubs’ 6-0 loss to the Indians and starter Corey Kluber, who threw six-plus shutout innings.  Schwarber also was nearly doubled off of second base on a fly ball to center.  That’s your basic Schwarber on the base paths.

The Indians won in part because they did what other teams have only threatened to, which is to run on yips-in-his-noggin Jon Lester.  With two out and nobody on in the bottom of the first, the Indians’ Francisco Lindor singled, then stole second.  This seemed to upset the hyper-emotional—or should I say “hysterical”?—Lester, who proceeded to walk the next two batters before giving up a swinging-bunt single and a hit by pitch.  If Cub pitchers don’t control their emotions, and Lester was hot all night over balls and strikes, they’re going to lose.

Before the game, Manager Joe Maddon hinted at Schwarber playing the field once the Series shifts to Chicago, and the DH disappears.  “Let’s watch him the next two nights and see how he moves,” Maddon was quoted in the Sun-Times.  Yes, oh yes,  put the guy who injured himself trying to play left field back out there for game three of the World Series.  Please.