After 2464 games played this season (including the postseason), the 2016 MLB season comes down to one game. One game to determine which team, the Indians or the Cubs ends their long World Series drought. The task is simple for both teams, win. All the work and preparation that started in February comes to conclusion on an unseasonably warm November night in Cleveland. Players and coaches have spent nine months preparing for a game that will most likely last three and half hours. With so many story-lines and the unpredictability of a Game Seven, it’s anyone’s guess who will hoist the commissioner’s trophy later tonight.

First, lets analyze the Cubs biggest advantage: momentum. The Cubbies come into game seven on a tear. Not only have they forced a game seven when it appeared they were down and out facing a 3-1 deficit, but there stars have been playing like stars. Since falling into that 3-1 hole, the Cubs have picked it up at the plate with Kris Bryant homering in two straight games and Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell getting off the schneid in a game six rout. While it’s not impossible for teams to switch momentum in a series (just ask the 2014 Giants who lost game six of the World Series by ten and came back the next night to win it all), it could prove difficult for the Indians to brush Game Six aside and get focused for Game Seven.

Now, let’s take a look at what will happen on the field. Both teams send Cy Young candidates to the mound for this all important game seven. The Indians send 2014 Cy Young winner Corey Kluber to the mound for his third start of this World Series. Kluber will try to become the first pitcher since Mickey Lolich in 1968 to win three games in a single fall classic. The Cubs counter with 26 year old righty Kyle Hendricks who won a career high sixteen games this season. This matchup is interesting for several reasons. Kluber is on short rest and may not be able to pitch deep in the game, but that may not be a disadvantage for the Indians. Although not ideal, the Indians need to get only three good innings out of their ace before they turn it over to their potent bullpen. If the situation arises, Terry Francona could use his top three relievers, Bryan Shaw, Andrew Miller, and Cody Allen for six innings tonight. On the other hand, the Cubs need to get a little bit of length from Kyle Hendricks. While they do have both Jon Lester and John Lackey in the bullpen, their pen, particularly closer Aroldis Chapman have been taxed in this series. Chapman threw twenty pitches last night only two days removed from throwing 42 pitches in an eight out save in Game Five. While Chapman will be available tonight, you have to wonder for how long and to what degree of effectiveness. 

Prediction: Both teams have struggled at points to score runs in this series and I think that it continues to some extent tonight. With Kluber facing the Cubs for the third time in a little over a week, I would expect the Cubs to get good at bats off of him and maybe even score a couple of runs. With that being said, the Indians get a second look at Kyle Hendricks who didn’t give up any runs in 4.1 innings in Game Three. However, the numbers are a little deceiving for Hendricks because he allowed nine baserunners and needed a huge double play induced by Justin Grimm to get out of the fifth inning unscathed. I think both starters will struggle and that plays into the hands of the Indians. The Tribe have a superior bullpen and will be able to shut down the National League’s best offense. In my opinion, future Hall of Fame skipper, Terry Francona, will push all the right buttons and at the end of the night the Indians will be celebrating their first World Series title since 1948.