The Chicago Cubs need all the pitching help they can get Wednesday in Game 7 of the World Series, and manager Joe Maddon is doing everything to make sure it’s all hands on deck.
The Cubs face the tall task of going up against Cleveland starter Corey Kluber, who has a 0.89 ERA this postseason, and a rested Indians bullpen at Progressive Field. They’re going to want to make sure the Tribe don’t get too many scoring opportunities, and for that reason, Cubs starters Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester both are available for Wednesday’s winner-take-all showdown.
“I’ll definitely be available if outs are needed,” Arrieta said, per the Chicago Tribune. “Last game of the year … everybody’s available pretty much. That’s kind of how we view (Wednesday).”
Arrieta pitched in Game 6 on Tuesday, so Lester will be a little fresher, as he last pitched Sunday. They might see some action, too, as Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks has made it past the sixth inning in only one of his four postseason starts — he threw 4 1/3 innings in Game 3 — and lights-out closer Aroldis Chapman has thrown 62 pitches over the last two games. FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal speculated that Lester could end up being Chicago’s middle man if it gets enough cushion from its offense.
Either way, it should be an exciting Game 7, as the Cubs and Indians are fighting to end 108- and 68-year World Series droughts, respectively.
Thumbnail photo via Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports Images
