Game 1 of the 2016 World Series is in the books, and the Indians lead the series 1-0 after defeating the Cubs, 6-0. Cleveland was in control throughout, as it put up two runs against Jon Lester in the first inning to give Corey Kluber and the Indians’ bullpen plenty of breathing room for the rest of the game.
Cubs vs. Indians 2016 final score: Cleveland wins World Series Game 1 with authority
Corey Kluber shut down the Cubs and set a strikeout record in Game 1 of the World Series.
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Kluber threw “just” six innings, but did plenty with those frames. He set a franchise record for strikeouts with nine — the previous Cleveland record was seven — while scattering four hits without allowing a walk.
The reason Kluber lasted for six innings and not more is due to the bullpen behind him. Andrew Miller came into the game in the seventh after Kluber gave up a leadoff single to Ben Zobrist, even though Kluber had thrown just 88 pitches. The idea was two-fold, as Miller is the best reliever in baseball, and Kluber now had a relatively easygoing Game 1 if it turns out he’s needed on short rest or has to be worked harder on regular rest in his next start. Miller was the bridge to closer Cody Allen, and the trio combined to shut the Cubs out.
Cleveland broke things open in the eighth, courtesy of Roberto Perez. The Indians catcher went deep with a solo shot in the fourth, and then hit a three-run jack in the eighth off of former Cubs closer Hector Rondon. Those were his second and third homers of the postseason, with the first coming in the ALDS against the Red Sox.
The Indians and Cubs resume the World Series on Wednesday, but at 7:08 p.m. ET due to the weather forecast. It’ll be Jake Arrieta for Chicago against Trevor Bauer for Cleveland — so long as Bauer’s pinkie can avoid opening up and bleeding everywhere again.
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