Fansided

5 reasons a Cubs-Indians World Series needs to happen

By Roje Smith

Jun 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, left, celebrates his grand slam in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, left, celebrates his grand slam in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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17 June 2015: Chicago Cubs Second base Addison Russell (22) [9793] belts a 2-run home run during the second inning of the game between the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)
17 June 2015: Chicago Cubs Second base Addison Russell (22) [9793] belts a 2-run home run during the second inning of the game between the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images) /

3. A rare Central division battle

Fans of teams that play in the East and West divisions may not care much about this, but a World Series between two teams from the Central division is rare. The last time that it happened was in 2006 when the St. Louis Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers squared off in the Fall Classic. In comparison, the last time that a World Series was played between two West division teams was in 2010 between the San Francisco Giants and the Texas Rangers. As for an all-East division Fall Classic, it happened in 2009 between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies.

Previous same-division World Series matchups happened for the East and West in 2008 and 2002 respectively. However, the last World Series between Central division teams prior to 2006 took place in 1987 between the Minnesota Twins and the Cardinals. Since 1987, the World Series featured an East vs. East matchup eight times and a West vs. West matchup four times. Therefore, the AL and NL Central divisions are due for another World Series clash.

In a year where the Cubs utterly dominated their division with a 103-58 record and the Indians did as well with a 94-67 record, it would be fitting for them to face each other in the World Series. It would be a very exciting time for fans and residents in the central United States, especially those that live in Chicago and Cleveland. As for fans of other Central division teams, there’s always next year.

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