The Indians and Cubs move the World Series to Chicago for game three. The Friday night contest will be the first World Series game at Wrigley Field since 1945, and the first there under the lights. Josh Tomlin hurls for the Tribe, while the Cubbies send Kyle Hendricks to the mound.

Tomlin, as noted earlier, induced batter contact more than any ERA qualifier in the majors this season. He walked just 20 batters in 174 innings, a strength that goes directly against the Cubs ability to be selective and draw walks. Tomlin struck out relatively few batters, but with a good defense behind him, owned a .276 BABIP. The trade-off was home runs, of which Tomlin allowed 36. If he can keep the ball in the park tonight, if the wind in blowing in, Tomlin matches up well against the Indians.

Hendricks led the majors in ERA, as that measure dropped from 3.95 in 2015 to 2.13 this season. The difference does have something to do with better defense. His xFIP was 3.25 in 2015, 3.59 in 2016. His batted ball rates in terms of line drives, ground and fly balls are about the same. Fewer fly balls left the park. While there is talk of him being the next Greg Maddux, there is still the possibility that there is a bit of luck going on in his numbers. This is a game where defense is going to matter.

To that end, the Indians are degrading their defense. Terry Francona wants to start Carlos Santana in leftfield, where Santana has little experience:

Santana took some fly balls during Cleveland’s workout, with bench coach Brad Mills standing nearby and offering him tips on tracking balls into the gap and chasing grounders into the corner, where he’ll have to deal with the iconic ivy that’s fading fast with winter approaching.

Francona said there was only one thing that would stop him from making the switch.

“If he just can’t do it. If he looks at me and says, ‘I don’t want to do this’ or something like that,” he said.

The Cubs won’t play Kyle Schwarber in the outfield:

Kyle Schwarber’s return to the roster was a borderline miracle that gave the team and – the fans – a boost in American League games, but he was not medically cleared to play in the field for the home games at Wrigley.

Schwarber would still be available to pinch hit in the games. He played as designated hitter in Cleveland, a position that does not require any defensive play.

So that ends any talk of Schwarber taking the field.

Enjoy!