Closer’s call: Chapman says he needs no relief
CLEVELAND— If the Cubs plan to keep using Aroldis Chapman until he can’t lift his arm, the left- hander with the triple- digit fastball said he’s all in with history knocking for the Cubs in Game 7 of the World Series on Wednesday.
“All I know is I’m going to be ready tomorrow, and we’ll see what happens,” said the closer after entering an elimination game in the seventh inning for the second game in a row. “Whatever they ask me to do, I’m going to keep going until I can’t.”
Chapman, who was called on for a career- high eight outs in Sunday’s 3- 2 victory at Wrigley Field, has thrown 62 pitches in the last two games, including 20 in a four- out stretch that also included a hit, a walk and a run.
He already has thrown more innings this postseason ( 14⅓) than starter John Lackey has in three starts ( 13).
And with Game 7 looming, manager Joe Maddon is not backing off the hard- throwing Chapman, who was acquired from the Yankees at the trade deadline and who is a free agent after Wednesday.
“I really anticipate a lot of the same,” Maddon said of Chapman’s availability for Game 7. “He’s a very strong guy, man. I think he’s going to be fine.”
Maddon— who also will have starters Jon Lester and Lackey available out of the bullpen — said he looked at the heart of the Indians’ order with concern when he went to Chapman with two out and two on in the seventh inning of a 7- 2 game.
“For me, the game could have been lost right there, and he’s by far our most dynamic relief pitcher,” said Maddon, who left Chapman in to open the ninth inning despite the Cubs taking a 9- 2 lead.
Maddon said he didn’t have enough time to get Pedro Strop warmed up to start the ninth once the Cubs extended the lead.
Chapman appeared to roll his ankle covering first base on his first play of the game.
Despite a slight limp, fared well on the mound in the eighth and said after the game that he was fine.
Flash to Indians past
The last surviving player from the last Indians team to win a World Series, Eddie Robinson, 95, was in attendance for Game 6.
In 1948, Robinson, a first baseman, drove in the Seriesclinching run in Game 6 off Warren Spahn of the Boston Braves.
“We didn’t celebrate like they do today,” Robinson said. “Once we got on the train, that’s when the party started. The next day, the champagne was dripping from the ceiling. I think [ team owner] Bill Veeck, that cost him a few thousand dollars to put those cars back in shape.”
Lou Boudreau, the American League MVP that year and a Harvey native, was the playermanager of that team. He would become a popular Cubs broadcaster after his Hall of Fame playing career.
This and that
Cubs catcher David Ross got the call for the lineup- card exchange at home plate in the elimination game of what he has said is his final major- league season.
With his first- inning home run Tuesday, Kris Bryant tied Kyle Schwarber for most career postseason home runs in franchise history ( five).