Photos: Cubs Force World Series Game 7 With 9-3 Rout; Wrigleyville Parties Up
![Photo: Tyler LaRiviere]()
![Photo: Tyler LaRiviere]()
![Photo: Tyler LaRiviere]()
![Photo: Tyler LaRiviere]()
![Photo: Tyler LaRiviere]()
![Photo: Tyler LaRiviere]()
![Photo: Tyler LaRiviere]()
![Photo: Tyler LaRiviere]()
![Photo: Tyler LaRiviere]()
![Photo: Tyler LaRiviere]()
![Photo: Tyler LaRiviere]()
![Photo: Tyler LaRiviere]()
![Photo: Tyler LaRiviere]()
![Photo: Tyler LaRiviere]()
Chicago Cub fans celebrate after their win in Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. The Cubs won 9-3 to tie the series 3-3. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
![Chicago Cub fans celebrate after their win in Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. The Cubs won 9-3 to tie the series 3-3. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)]()
A Chicago Cubs fan cheers at Progressive Field after Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. The Cubs won 9-3 to tie the series 3-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
![A Chicago Cubs fan cheers at Progressive Field after Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. The Cubs won 9-3 to tie the series 3-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)]()
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Travis Wood, and catcher Willson Contreras celebrate after their win in Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. The Cubs won 9-3 to tie the series 3-3. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
![Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Travis Wood, and catcher Willson Contreras celebrate after their win in Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. The Cubs won 9-3 to tie the series 3-3. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)]()
The Chicago Cubs celebrate after Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. The Cubs won 9-3 to tie the series 3-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
![The Chicago Cubs celebrate after Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. The Cubs won 9-3 to tie the series 3-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)]()
A Chicago Cubs fans cheers during the seventh inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
![A Chicago Cubs fans cheers during the seventh inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)]()
A Cleveland Indians fan reacts during the sixth inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
![A Cleveland Indians fan reacts during the sixth inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)]()
Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell celebrates in the dugout after his grand slam against the Cleveland Indians during the third inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
![Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell celebrates in the dugout after his grand slam against the Cleveland Indians during the third inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)]()
Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell celebrates after his grand slam against the Cleveland Indians during the third inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
![Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell celebrates after his grand slam against the Cleveland Indians during the third inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)]()
Chicago Cubs' Ben Zobrist collides with Cleveland Indians catcher Roberto Perez as he scores during the first inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Jamie Squire, Pool)
![Chicago Cubs' Ben Zobrist collides with Cleveland Indians catcher Roberto Perez as he scores during the first inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Jamie Squire, Pool)]()
Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell hits a two run double against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
![Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell hits a two run double against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)]()
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta throws against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
![Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta throws against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)]()
Chicago Cubs' Ben Zobrist celebrates with Anthony Rizzo after scoring during the first inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
![Chicago Cubs' Ben Zobrist celebrates with Anthony Rizzo after scoring during the first inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)]()
Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo celebrates after Ben Zobrist scored during the first inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
![Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo celebrates after Ben Zobrist scored during the first inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)]()
Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant hits a home run during the first inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
![Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant hits a home run during the first inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)]()
A Chicago Cubs fan hold up a sign before Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
![A Chicago Cubs fan hold up a sign before Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)]()
Cleveland Indians players watch from the dugout during the third inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
![Cleveland Indians players watch from the dugout during the third inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)]()
Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell celebrates after hitting a grand slam during the third inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
![Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell celebrates after hitting a grand slam during the third inning of Game 6 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)]()
Well, this is going to be fun.
The Cubs handled the Indians, 9-3, on Tuesday night to force what's shaping up to be an absolute classic World Series Game Seven.
The clubs square off Wednesday night for the championship-deciding contest. Chicago looks to become the first team to overcome a 3-1 World Series deficit while facing the final two games on the road since the 1968 Tigers, and—of course—nail the coffin on 108 years of “curse” storylines. The Indians, for their part, will once again play for their first World Series title since 1948.
Given such stakes, drama, and the narratives and talent on either side, it’s not too hyperbolic to say it will be one of the most anticipated games in recent baseball history.
The Cubs on Tuesday jumped on Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin early, putting up three runs on four hits in the first inning, all while facing two outs. Kris Bryant (4-5) drilled a solo homer to center; and Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist both scored on a double by Addison Russell.
But the night’s most dramatic swing of the bat came in the third inning, once again from Russell, who spanked an instant-classic grand slam to center. It was the first Fall Classic slam since 2005, White Sox fans will no doubt recall. Russell tied the all-time MLB record of six RBIs in a single World Series game.
The Indians put up one run in the fourth plus another in the fifth, courtesy of a Jason Kipnis bomb. The Cubs regained a seven-run lead late, when Rizzo pelted a two-run homer in the ninth inning. Cleveland's Roberto Perez chipped the lead with an RBI single in the bottom half-frame before Chicago closed it out, 9-3.
Cleveland ace Corey Kluber, again pitching on short rest, will face Cy Young hopeful Kyle Hendricks in Game Seven. According to FiveThirtyEight, the Indians are slightly favored with a 54 percent chance to win. We'll see if Aroldis Chapman's second consecutive early relief appearance becomes an issue; but before we push too far ahead, have a look above for Game Six highlights and Wrigleyville fan revelry, which was in strong supply despite it being a road game.
