The Indians win Game 1 of the World Series, 6 – 0 over the Cubs, who are making their first appearance in the Fall Classic since 1945. Corey Kluber pitches 6 scoreless innings during which he strikes out 9, while the Indians score twice off Jon Lester in the bottom of the 1st, on a dribbler by Jose Ramirez that travels barely 20 feet, and when Brandon Guyer is hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Roberto Perez later homers twice to put the game away.

A magnificent performance by pitchers Kyle Hendricks and Aroldis Chapman, who face the minimum 27 batters over 9 scoreless innings, drives the Cubs into the World Series for the first time since 1945 thanks to a 5 – 0 win over the Dodgers in Game 6 of the 2016 NLCS. Chicago scores twice against Clayton Kershaw in the bottom of the 1st, and Willson Contreras and Anthony Rizzo also homer off the ace lefty who leaves after five innings. The NLCS MVP Award is shared by Jon Lester and Javier Baez.

2016 – The Cubs move to within one game of the World Series with an 8 – 4 win over the Dodgers in Game 5 of the NLCS. Addison Russell breaks a 1 – 1 tie with a two-run homer off Joe Blanton in the 6th and Javier Baez adds a bases-loaded double in the 8th Jon Lester gives up only one run in seven innings to pick up the win as the series heads back to Wrigley Field.

The Cubs tie the NLCS at two wins apiece with a 10 – 2 beating of the Dodgers as they tee off on two rookie pitchers, Julio Urias and Ross Stripling. Addison Russell and Anthony Rizzo both end long hitting droughts with homers.

The Indians win their first pennant since 1997 by defeating the Blue Jays, 3 – 0, in Game 5 of the ALCS. Homers by Carlos Santana and Coco Crisp give them the runs they need, while rookie Ryan Merritt gives up no runs in 4 1/3 innings before turning the ball over to the bullpen, which shines once again. Reliever Andrew Miller pitches another 2 2/3 scoreless inning and is named the Series’ MVP in recognition of a four dominating outings, all during critical phases of wins by the Indians.

The Yokohama BayStars announce Alex Ramirez as their manager. The long-time Nippon Pro Baseball star becomes the league’s first foreign skipper in 7 years and the first Latino to manage in the league.

Toronto staves off elimination by winning Game 4 of the ALCS, 5 – 1, over Cleveland. Josh Donaldson homers off Corey Kluber in the 3rd to give Toronto its first lead of the series and the Blue Jays score three late runs to make a winner of Aaron Sanchez.

Rich Hill pitches 6 scoreless innings to lead Los Angeles to its second consecutive shutout win over the Cubs, 6 – 0, in Game 3 of the NLCS. Yasmani Grandal and Justin Turner hit homers off Jake Arrieta to lead the offence.

The Indians take a three games to none lead over the Blue Jays in the ALCS with a 4 – 2 win. Starter Trevor Bauer is forced to leave the game with two outs in the 1st because a pre-existing cut on the little finger of his pitching hand has started bleeding, but six relievers combine to suffocate the Jays bats again, with Bryan Shaw getting credit for the win and Andrew Miller picking up the save. Mike Napoli wakes up from a postseason-long slump with a solo homer and an RBI double while Jason Kipnis puts Cleveland ahead to stay with a homer off Marcus Stroman in the 6th.

The Dodgers even the NLCS at one win apiece with a 1 – 0 win ver the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Adrian Gonzalez accounts for all the offense with a solo homer off Kyle Hendricks in the 2nd inning, while Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen combine on a two-hitter.