Joe isn’t giving up on Heyward, still sits him

CLEVELAND— Eleven months after signing the biggest contract in Cubs history, right fielder Jason Heyward faces the likelihood of becoming a part- time player in the Cubs’ firstWorld Series since 1945.

Manager JoeMaddon started Chris Coghlan in right field Tuesday in the Series opener, the second consecutive game Heyward has been out of the lineup. And Maddon suggested he might do the same in Game 2 onWednesday.

“Obviously with Jason, the bat’s just not been working like you would like for it to work,” Maddon said. “I’m not giving up on him by any means.

“But I just thought for tonight, run CC back out there and see if we get a little more offense rolling out of that position and then get J- Ward in the game later for his defense.”

Heyward sounded as though he understood the decision.

“You’ve always got to be a professional, root your teammates on, understand you don’t make the lineup and do what you can whenever you get the chance to do it,” Heyward said.

“As far as switching roles now at this point in the year, it’s tough to do. There’s no excuse or anything, but it’s tough to come in and push a button when you’re used to being out thee every day and already having some kind of feel for the series and how they’re pitching you or whatever.”

Heyward sat twice during the six- game National League Championship Series and once during the four- game Division Series. Tuesday was the first time Maddon sat him against a righthander ( CoreyKluber).

“You’ve got to win four more games, and we’ve got to make our best guesses,” Maddon said. “We’ll see how this looks like tonight. We’ll play it out and see what it feels or looks like and make our determination for tomorrow.”

Band on the run

The Cubs expected the American League’s top basestealing team to try to exploit Jon Lester’s yips on the bases, and Francisco Lindor did just that during the Indians’ two- run first inning.

And it’s making Maddon consider starting strong- armed rookieWillson Contreras with right- hander Jake Arrieta in Game 2 instead of the veteran Arrieta is more comfortable with, MiguelMontero.

“We haven’t decided fully yet, but we are considering that,” Maddon said. “They do run, and Willson is one of the best young throwers in the game. You have to balance out how comfortable you think Jake’s going to be throwing him vs. Miggy.”

Arrieta downplayed the Indians’ running game as a threat.

“They’ve got to get on base first,” he said.

Record breaker

Indians pitcher Kluber’s eight strikeouts through the third inning broke aWorld Series record shared by Bob Gibson, Orlando Hernandez and Randy Johnson. Email: gwittenmyer@ suntimes. com