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Five things we have learned thus far in the World Series
Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates scoring a run on an RBI single hit by Kyle Schwarber #12 (not pictured) during the third inning in Game Two of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Five things we have learned thus far in the World Series

Two games into the 2016 World Series, the card is squared up between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs at a game each. Yet as the series prepares to switch over to Wrigley Field Friday evening, there are a few crucial elements of what will – and won’t – lead to success in the series already known.

However, there are still a few factors that are yet to be revealed between the two teams and some things that must be addressed for either side to achieve a decisive advantage. Here is a look at a bit of this and a bit of that, as well as what must happen for either side to gain and maintain the upper hand in this series.

1) For Cleveland, there is a difference between a Corey Kluber start and anybody else’s

In Game 1, the Indians were thoroughly in control throughout. And while Andrew Miller and Cody Allen made appearances to solidify it, it was Kluber that set the tone and completely stifled the Cubs lineup.

Game 2 was a different story, as Trevor Bauer’s erratic start and inability to stay ahead in the count allowed the Cubs bats to get established and take the lead first, which they held. The Cubs offense is too prolific of a group for the Indians to attempt to track down too often. And since Kluber cannot pitch every game, the job falls at the feet of the rest of the Indians starters to find ways to calm the storm from the onset of the series.

2) Kyle Schwarber is more ready than anybody anticipated

In three days’ time, Schwarber has gone from a questionable addition to the most important (and reliable) bat in the Cubs lineup. Mind you, this is a lineup that was one of the most dangerous in all of baseball this year and he has still stands out like he never took a day off. His big 2-for-4 Game 2 coming out party was preceded by a Game 1 where he stroked a double off the right center field wall against Kluber and worked a difficult walk out against Miller, with a batter’s eye that belied the inexperience he had at the plate this year.

It remains to be seen how much of a factor he can play into the games without a designated hitter spot. He has not given the field a run on his surgically repaired knee yet. The Cubs' lineup has benefitted greatly from his presence while Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo have gotten off to mostly slow starts in the series (2-for-15, combined). It remains to be seen if they can pick up their run production without their suddenly re-emerged young stud.

3) The Indians margin of error is small

In Game 1, the Indians were the model of efficiency. They played strong defense, kept their walks low and worked out of jams. All the while, they produced 10 hits and spread their scoring out as well and as a result, they easily grabbed Game 1 while only being threatened once – with a bases loaded situation that Andrew Miller worked out of (of course).

They did the complete opposite the following night though, allowing nine hits, issuing eight walks and committing a pair of errors. Despite the fact that Jake Arrieta shut down the offense for much of the night, they did not give themselves a chance to survive either.

While it is unreasonable to expect to receive the type of conditions that Kluber created in Game 1, they do have to be better at not handing the Cubs so many favorable opportunities as they did in Game 2. The Cubs did well and got hits when it counted, but they also had a lot of things ushered to them by a sloppy Indians team too. Cleveland is built to build a lead over time and must have efficient pitching to win. The second half of that equation failed them on Wednesday night.

4) Francisco Lindor is a undoubtedly a star

Carlos Correa and Corey Seager are the bigger names, and Xander Bogaerts was the All-Star starter, but Lindor may be the best of the group all the same. The 22-year-old is a spark plug out of the three hole, producing a three-hit World Series debut and scoring the first run of the game for the team.

When Lindor is rolling, the Indians are following suit. In their two losses this postseason, Lindor has gone hitless, while walking twice. However, in their victories he has hit .419 (13-for-31). That’s no coincidence; as Lindor goes, so do the Tribe.

5) There will be an awful lot of pitching changes to come

So far throughout two games, there have been 14 pitching changes. Six of these outings have no lasted a full inning, showcasing the full intent of Joe Maddon and Terry Francona to exploit every possible advantage their full pitching staff in attempt to stall the waves of momentum in this series at all costs. As a result, these have been long games, checking in on average at about three hours and forty minutes.

With the lesser parts of the rotation to follow, as well as some pitchers coming back on short rest, the bullpens will become more and more important as this series wears on. And if their current usage rates continue, fatigue could be an issue by the end as well. This is worth paying attention to, as even super relievers such as Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman have their limits. And the earlier portions of both team’s pens is much more susceptible to being touched up than the later parts.

Who is better equipped moving forward?

Winning Game 2 was nothing sort of massive for the Cubs. The numbers say that 12 out of the last 13 winners of game one have gone on to win the Series. But the Cubs have been rebuking history all year, and look to be in line to do so now on the heels of their Game 2 victory. They have the advantage in pitching matchups potentially as well, with the shorthanded Indians electing to bring back a less than fully rested Kluber to take on John Lackey in Game 4. This frees up Lester to take on either Trevor Bauer or another less than fully-rested Indian starter or another starter who has had a prolonged absence from regular work.

Coming into the series, the Indians bullpen was the toast of the town, but throughout the year it has been the depth of the Cubs rotation that has been their greatest strength. While the Indians still hold the long-term home field advantage, the Cubs have a clear upper hand in the matchup game now that gives them a chance to steal that benefit from the Indians and make it their own now. It of the utmost importance that the Indians take at least one of the next two games now (preferably Game 3 so they can hand Kluber a series lead), because their lack of starting depth may have issued a wound they cannot recover from – especially if they let control of the direction of a game get too far out of their reach again.

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