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World Series 2016: Six players who could be MVP

By Joshua Sadlock

Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo celebrates after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo celebrates after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) hits a ground rule double during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) hits a ground rule double during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Francisco Lindor

Lindor is the best overall player the Indians have to offer. He is their best defender and most complete offensive player. Lindor was single-handedly responsible for two wins in the ALCS and batted .368 in the short series. At only 22 years old, Lindor has risen to the occasion in the playoffs.

Lindor is a dynamic player who can beat the Cubs in multiple ways. He stole 19 bases this season, and his power stroke has emerged in the postseason, with a home run in each series. Lindor is not a typical middle-of-the-order bat, but his ability to limit strikeouts is huge in the postseason.

Lindor must have a big series for the Indians to defeat the Cubs. In the ALCS, Jason Kipnis and Jose Ramirez batted below .100, Mike Napoli and Carlos Santana batted below .200, and only CoCo Crisp and Lonnie Chisenhall joined Lindor in batting above .250. The Indians were able to sneak by the Blue Jays thanks to their own equally monumental offensive struggles. That is unlikely to continue against the Cubs.

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The Indians will face a tough decision when the series shifts back to Wrigley Field. They will lose either Napoli or Santana, who cannot DH in the National League park. Santana is the more likely candidate to play first base given his ability to switch hit. Without Napoli in the lineup, Lindor’s production will be even more important.

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