Cleveland Indians: 5 keys to victory in Game 7

Oct 29, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Coco Crisp (left) celebrates with second baseman Jason Kipnis (right) after Kipnis hit a three-run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the seventh inning in game four of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 1, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis hits a single against the Chicago Cubs in the 7th inning in game six of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Kipnis and Lindor deliver

After going 1-for-9 in the first two games of the series, Jason Kipnis has reeled off seven hits and two home runs over the past four games. Lindor is batting a robust .364 in the World Series, continuing his scorching-hot postseason. With the rest of the lineup struggling, the Indians have to rely on their two All-Star infielders to get the job done in the deciding game.

Between the two of them, Lindor and Kipnis have 16 of the team’s 44 hits in the World Series. Both have controlled, short swings at the plate and limit their strikeouts. The moment has not been too much for them. Kipnis is an underrated second baseman, lost in the small market. At 22, Lindor has emerged as a superstar, with all of the personality to boot.

The low-average/high-power approach of Mike Napoli and Carlos Santana has not played well for the Indians in the World Series, and the Indians cannot bank on production from the sluggers in Game 7. Lindor and Kipnis have powered them this far, and it will have to continue for one more game. There is no bigger spot for the Chicago kid, Kipnis, and the budding superstar Lindor to come up big.

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