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World Series 2016: What are the pitching matchups?

By Brad Berreman

Oct 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (34) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (34) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2016 World Series starts on Tuesday night, and here are the starting pitching matchups for each game.

The Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians will start the 2016 World Series on Tuesday night, with first pitch scheduled for just after 8:00 p.m. Eastern time from Progressive Field in Cleveland.

Here’s a look at the starting pitching matchups for each game.

Game 1-Tuesday, Oct. 25-Chicago (Jon Lester) at Cleveland (Corey Kluber)

Lester’s postseason acumen and good run this October (0.86 ERA in three starts-21 innings) makes him the easy Game 1 choice for Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon. Kluber is a similar no-brainer for Indians’ manager Terry Francona, with a 0.98 ERA over three starts this postseason.

Game 2-Wednesday, Oct. 26-Chicago (Jake Arrieta) at Cleveland (Trevor Bauer)

Arrieta will get the Game 2 nod for the Cubs, since he will be over a week between starts by Wednesday night.

The more interesting Game 2 starter is Bauer, who lasted less than an inning into his ALCS start against the Toronto Blue Jays when his injured right pinkie finger bled out profusely on the mound. He could be pushed back to Game 3 if he needs extra time for his finger to heal, but Bauer’s status for the World Series as a whole does not seem to be in doubt.

Game 3-Friday, Oct. 28-Cleveland (Josh Tomlin) at Chicago (Kyle Hendricks)

Tomlin could swap turns with Bauer, but he’ll get the nod no later than Game 3 barring something unforeseen. Hendricks pitched like an ace (7.1 shutout innings) in the NLCS clincher last Saturday night, and Carrie Muskrat of MLB.com has reported he’ll start Game 3 of the World Series.

Game 4-Saturday, Oct.29-Cleveland (Kluber? Danny Salazar? Ryan Merritt?) at Chicago (John Lackey)

The Indians have some options for Game 4, including Kluber on short rest, a now possibly healthy Salazar and the out-of-nowhere ALCS hero Merritt. Lackey lasted just four innings against the Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS, due in part to an elevated pitch count, and Muskrat also reported Lackey to be Chicago’s starter in Game 4 of the Fall Classic.

Game 5 (if necessary)-Sunday Oct. 30-Cleveland (Kluber?) at Chicago (Lester)

Lester seems sure to start Game 5 for Chicago, assuming things proceed as expected. Kluber, if he’s not bumped to Game 4, would surely start Game 5 for the Indians. Otherwise, Merritt stands out as another option to start Game 5 for Cleveland.

Game 6 (if necessary)-Tuesday Nov. 1-Chicago (Arrieta?) at Cleveland (Bauer?)

Arrieta would be on track to start Game 6 for the Cubs, again assuming things go as planned. The health of Bauer’s finger will determine his status, and Francona is definitely hoping he stays away from his drone.

Related Story: World Series 2016 schedule: Dates, times, tv info

Game 7 (if necessary)-Wednesday, Nov. 2-Chicago at Cleveland 

Game 7 could be a Game 3 rematch between Tomlin and Hendricks. But depending on when he makes a second World Series start, Kluber has a good chance to step in as the guy for the Indians.

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