CLEVELAND: The Indians believe Trevor Bauer will be able to get through his start in Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday night without much of an issue from his lacerated pinkie.
Though they said that before Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, and he couldn’t get out of the first inning without covering his cleats and pants in blood in Toronto. With an extra week for his finger to heal, the confidence is the same. They just hope the result is different.
“I was confident last week, and I said that I didn’t think the finger was going to get in the way, and I’m going to say the same thing again this week,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “I don’t think that finger’s going to be the reason he wins or loses. Now, I said that last week, too.”
Bauer threw about 20 pitches Monday night to test the finger and it held up, allowing him to start Wednesday’s Game 2 against the Chicago Cubs’ Jake Arrieta. Josh Tomlin will then start Game 3 in Chicago. If something does go wrong again, the Indians will have the off-day to support the bullpen should it be called into extra duty.
Another benefit of Bauer throwing Game 2 is that he won’t have to bat, which could have been an issue as he tries to be careful with his finger. When the World Series turns to Chicago for Games 3, 4 and 5 if necessary, the Indians will lose the designated hitter spot in the lineup.
“You can just say, ‘Well OK just let him stand there.’ It’s hard to do,” Francona said. “It’s hard to give a really good team a couple outs right off the bat. If he put his finger and took it — I don’t know. I was more worried about that than probably the pitching.”
As Bauer prepares to pitch in the biggest start of his career, he isn’t overly concerned about his finger or the Cubs’ lineup.
“I’m not concerned about anything,” Bauer said. “They’re obviously very talented, but the Red Sox were very talented, and the Blue Jays are obviously very talented, too. At the end of the day they’re just hitters. They get outs nine out of 10 times, like all the rest of them. It comes down to executing pitches, executing a game plan.”
Time change
The first pitch for Wednesday night’s Game 2 was moved up one hour to 7:08 p.m. due to potential rain in the forecast.
Out in left field
Carlos Santana spent some time in left field during the Indians’ workout on Monday night ahead of the World Series.
The Indians losing the designated hitter when the series shifts to Chicago means either Santana or Mike Napoli wouldn’t have their normal spot in the lineup.
Santana has played just four innings in his major-league career in left field, which came in 2012. The Indians are just seeing if it could be something that’s possible, to keep Santana’s bat in the lineup in Chicago.
“I think we want to keep every option open,” Francona said. “I don’t like the idea that we play all year with [the DH] and now you get to the most important games and you don’t have it. But, that’s the way it is, so we’ll see.”
Hollywood support
Tom Hanks has made his World Series loyalties well-known — he’s all in for the Indians.
As Hanks signed off on Saturday Night Live this week, he added a “Go Tribe” after naming all those who were a part of the show.
Then, on Monday night, he went head-to-head with noted Cubs fan Stephen Colbert on The Late Show.
Hanks’ career in large part began in Cleveland, and he’s held on to the city with fondness ever since. This week, he’s joined the community of Indians fans hoping to see their first World Series title since 1948.
Hometown scorer
RubberDucks Director of Public and Media Relations Adam Liberman drew the honor of being the official scorer for Game 1 of the World Series.
Liberman has at times served as the Indians’ official scorer during regular-season games.
Gift exchange
LeBron James sent custom Beats by Dre headphones to the Indians’ clubhouse before the Cavaliers received their championship rings and the Indians took the field for Game 1 of the World Series. In response, Francisco Lindor sent back a signed jersey.
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at www.ohio.com/indians. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RyanLewisABJ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RyanLewisABJ