Schwarber is Cubs’ X-factor in Cleveland
CLEVELAND — In early July, Chicago Cubs president Theo Epstein first began squelching trade rumors out of New York involving Kyle Schwarber, telling reporters he was looking forward to watching the slugger return next spring in Mesa, Ariz.
Schwarber was grateful for the support, but declined to go along with the narrative he wouldn’t be back until spring training.
“I’m going to work my butt off to get back as soon as I can, whatever the timetable is,” he said. “I want to do more. I think that’s only a good mindset to have, and whatever happens, happens.”
What happened is now part of World Series lore.
Schwarber returned from over a six-month absence last week in Game 1 of the World Series, and went 3 for 7 with 2 walks and 2 RBI as the Cubs’ designated hitter in the first two games against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.
After being out of the starting lineup in the three games at Wrigley Field, due to doctor’s orders, Schwarber returns tonight in Game 6 with a chance to help force a seventh game.
With the Cubs’ trailing 3-2 in the series and their offense still struggling, Schwarber could be the X-Factor they desperately need.
“He’s back, and I’m sure he’s champing at the bit to get in the lineup,” Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said. “He’s going to have big at-bats [tonight], and he’s going to be ready for it. And he’s got all of our confidence behind him.”
Schwarber had only one pinchhit opportunity in the games at Wrigley, hitting a soft pop-up off Bryan Shaw to shortstop Francisco Lindor, who was shifted to the opposite side of second base, during the eighth inning of Game 3.
Tonight, he’ll face right-hander Josh Tomlin, who pitched 42/3 shutout innings in the Indians’ 1-0 victory in Game 3.
“We might have expanded [the strike] zone here and there, but that’s an adjustment that can easily be made,” Schwarber said of Tomlin. “And that was a bunch of guys’ first time facing him, too. I’m sure [tonight] it’ll be a completely different situation and approach.”
Getting to Tomlin early figures to be a key, since he probably won’t pitch long. The Indians bullpen has been lights-out in the World Series, and Manager Terry Francona has been using them like a plumber uses a snake.
The Cubs are hitting .210 in the Series with 10 runs in the five games, and relievers Andrew Miller, Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw have allowed 1 earned run over 13 combined innings with 24 strikeouts and 5 walks.
If the Cubs are trailing before Miller enters in Game 6, or Game 7, it’s probably curtains. The problem is no one knows when uber-reliever Miller will come into a game because of Francona’s unpredictability.
Former Indians slugger Jim Thome compared Cleveland’s bullpen depth to the Kansas City Royals’ lockdown pen of 2014 and 2015, which tended to enter games in the fifth or sixth innings. Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland nailed down the final three, making Royals Manager Ned Yost’s job relatively easy.
“To be honest, Ned was kind of similar with ‘Tito,’ ” Thome said, using Francona’s nickname. “They’re being consistent with what they have.”
It takes someone like Miller, who has absolutely no ego, to make it work. Miller doesn’t care when he pitches, and since he’s the best of the Indians relievers, no one else can really complain about their role.
Schwarber’s return should help alleviate some of those issues since his batting eye and approach have been remarkable, especially considering he’s missed more than six months after the knee surgery. The Cubs’ season is not on Schwarber’s big shoulders, but he does carry a big stick.
It’s funny to think that when the trade rumors began in July, Schwarber actually had to consider the possibility he could leave the organization he came up with and loved.
“I’m going to worry about being a Cub and worry about my rehab and worry about this team and them going to the World Series,” he said that day.
Mission accomplished.