What to watch for tonight:
* Both Corey Kluber and John Lackey posted 1.06 walks/hits per inning pitched rates during the 2016 season;
they were apart in ERA by .21 points (3.35 for Lackey; 3.14 for Kluber).
* The opponents' batting averages against them were separated by two points. (.218 for Lackey; .216 for Kluber.)
* Kluber may think of trying to work the outer parts of the plate a little more tonight, but he may have a time of it
if the Cubs are as aware of that tendency facing him the second time around. (See more below.)
* He's more prone to surrendering runs on short rest. (He's on three days' rest tonight.)
* Kluber's best pitch: a kind of curve/slider hybrid; hitters are only hitting .115 against it.
* Lackey is by far the more experienced postseason pitcher and tends to pitch up in postseason games even when
a team might pry runs out of him.
* He might face a quick hook with the Cubs behind in the Series.
* His best pitch: a slider that dives away from the outside corners; hitters have only hit .125 against it.
* His presence might move Terry Francona to start Carlos Santana in left field again to get another lefthanded bat against Lackey.
* Andrew Miller could work multiple innings tonight if the Indians get an early lead: he only threw 17 pitches in Game Three
(including striking out the side).
* The Cubs need to beware the high strikes and force the Indians' pitchers to bring the ball down---Indians catcher Roberto
Perez is expert at getting high strike calls.
* The Cubs are also good at getting to pitching aces the second time around, as witness the way they demolished Clayton Kershaw
to get to the Series in the first place. Don't be shocked if they've figured out ways to beat Kluber, considering they did have
several quality at-bats against him in Game One including some very hard contact.
Let's play ball!!!
