CHICAGO – Talk about an October surprise.
An Indians team dismissed and all but ignored throughout the postseason is on the brink of a championship few saw coming.
With Corey Kluber again flummoxing hitters and Jason Kipnis driving a stake through the heart of the team he grew up rooting for, the Indians took Game 4 of the World Series, 7-2, in front of a Wrigley Field crowd of 41,706 that by the latter innings was church-quiet.
The Indians, who haven’t won a World Series since 1948 – they own the second-longest drought in the sport behind the Cubs, who haven’t won since 1908 – lead the best-of-seven, 3-1.
Cleveland, which won the first two games at Wrigley, hosting the World Series for the first time since 1945, sends Trevor Bauer to the mound against Jon Lester Sunday night in a potential clincher.