Indians to start Kluber in Tuesday’s Series opener

Cleveland’s Kipnis sprains his ankle in ALCS celebration.

Cleveland Indians ace Corey Kluber will start Game 1 of the World Series against the Chicago Cubs.

Manager Terry Francona said Sunday that he will go with Kluber, an 18-ame winner during the regular season, in the opener on Tuesday night. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 0.98 ERA in his first postseason.

F r a n c o n a h a s r i g h t - handers Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin penciled in for Games 2 and 3, respectively. The order could change depending on how Bauer’s injured right pinkie heals over the next few days.

Bauer’s start i n the AL Championship Series lasted less than one inning after his pinkie began bleeding against Toronto. He injured his finger when he sliced it open while repairing a drone.

Also, injured starter Danny Salazar could be available against the Cubs. Salazar hasn’t pitched since Sept. 9 because of forearm tightness but he’s made major progress in the past week and could be on the World Series roster.

Kipnis celebrates too much: Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis sprained his left ankle during a postgame celebration in the AL playoffs, but is expected to be ready for Game 1 of the World Series.

Francona said Kipnis rolled his ankle Wednesday when he hugged Francisco Lindor on the field after the final out in Game 5 of the ALCS in Toronto

Francona says he expects Kipnis to be OK for the World Series opener.

Francona described Kipnis’ i njury as a l ow ankle sprain. He’s confident rest and the adrenaline Kipnis will feel with 37,000 screaming fans in Progressive Field will help him recover.

Kipnis, who is batting .167 with seven strikeouts so far in the postseason, took some grounders Sunday while being watched by a mem- ber of Cleveland’s training staff before the Indians held a team workout.

Kipnis was not available for interviews during the period Cleveland’s clubhouse was open to the media.

Series notes: Cleveland and Chicago own baseball’s two longest championship droughts. While the Indians seek their first World Series title in 68 years, the Cubs haven’t won it all since 1908. Chicago captured the NL pennant for first time since 1945. ... The teams are intertwined at the top. Cubs executive Theo Epstein won two World Series titles in Boston with Indians manager Terry Francona. In 2004, they helped the Red Sox win the World Series for first time since 1918. ... Chicago opened as a heavy favorite to win the Series. John Avello, who makes the odds at Wynn Las Vegas, set the line Saturday night with a bettor needing to wager $220 on the Cubs to win $100. A $100 bet on the Indians would pay $190 if they win. ... The clubs are 9-9 against each other i n interleague play. They split four games in 2015. Chicago’s 17-0 drubbing was the most l opsided shutout i n interleague history.