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2016 World Series: 5 Reasons The Cleveland Indians Will Beat The Chicago Cubs

By Nick Dudukovich

Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) celebrates after making the final catch to beat the Toronto Blue Jays in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) celebrates after making the final catch to beat the Toronto Blue Jays in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 17, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Andrew Miller (right) celebrates with catcher Roberto Perez (left) after game three of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Andrew Miller (right) celebrates with catcher Roberto Perez (left) after game three of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Andrew Miller

Cleveland doesn’t possess a dominant lefty starter, but Terry Francona does have Andrew Miller, and elite-level southpaw coming out of the pen who’s more than capable of pitching multiple innings of relief.

Cubs hitters haven’t exactly set the world on fire against  lefty hurlers, either.

In 167 at bats, Chicago hitters are batting .192 against southpaws.

Terry Francona should continue to employ Andrew Miller exactly the way he has to this point. Use the lefty in the highest leverage situation possible, and then try and get a little mileage out of him.

Miller is an equal opportunity out maker, and will send you back to the bench confused whether your swinging from the left or right side: Lefties hit .181 vs. Miller, while righties hit .153 in 2016.

Miller may be in the bullpen, but he is an elite arm. His postseason stats read: 11 2/3 playoff innings, Miller has not allowed a run. He has struck out 21 and walked two.

It’s no secret. If Miller gets the ball, it means the Indians are in position to win the ball game. His presence on the mound only increases the chances of finishing the Cubs off.

For as great as Miller’s been, he’s not the only Tribe reliever to contribute to the unit’s dominance.

The Indians bullpen has been incredible, and their earning every penny of their salary. Tribe relievers have accounted for close to half of Cleveland’s 71 innings this postseason, logging 32 1/3 innings.

Miller’s stats are well known, but the bullpen as a unit, has a collective 1.67 ERA.

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