Cubs Place Fate in Lester’s Hands

The Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs square off on Sunday when they battle at Wrigley Field.  Game 5 of the MLB World Series is a do or die situation for the Cubbies, as they are down 3-1.  The Indians can clinch the franchise’s third championship Sunday and end their own 67-year drought, the longest in the American League. The Cleveland Indians will pin their hopes on the pitching of right hander Trevor Bauer in this game. Bauer has a 12-9 record and a 4.30 ERA this season. The Cubs beat Bauer in Game 2 and got on the board in the first inning. Terry Francona said he never considered going with another starter in Game 5. Starting this game for the Cubs will be Jon Lester. The left hander has a 2.35 ERA to go along with a 21-6 record this season. Lester has a 1.69 ERA in the 2016 playoffs with 21 strikeouts and five walks. His rich postseason resume includes 20 games (18 starts), 2.60 ERA and 8-7 record. Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 225-moneyline favorites versus the Cleveland Indians, while the game’s total is sitting at 7. Chicago lost game 4, a 7-2 route on October 29. Bettors who backed the Indians at 110 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (9) sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

Stats and Matchups

Cleveland Indians: Team record: 104-69 SU Cleveland is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games Cleveland is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Cleveland’s last 11 games Chicago Cubs: Team record: 111-64 SU The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs’s last 5 games Chi Cubs is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games at home Chi Cubs is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games at home Next up (If Necessary): Cleveland home to Chicago Tuesday, November 1   Get your 2016 World Series odds at Bovada today.