More Changes to Line-Ups as Indians, Cubs Prepare for Game 4

While the Indians came away with the game three win in Chicago, scoring just a single run in consecutive games was far from ideal. With that and his defense in mind, Terry Francona made some changes for Saturday night’s game in Wrigley:

While most of the line-up is the same, Mike Napoli will begin the game on the bench for the first time in the post-season and Santana will play first for just the second time (game five of the ALCS). With the right handed John Lackey on the mound for Chicago, this was the perfect time to get Napoli a day off. The slugger has hit just 2 for 10 without an extra base hit in the World Series and while Santana is without a hit, he has walked four times and has been a better defender at first base, at least during the regular season. Having Davis in left field with Santana at first is at least a superior defense than Santana in left and Napoli at first.

The second benefit of this group is that the Indians will have Napoli’s bat available whenever it is needed. From the right side they’ll have him along with Brandon Guyer on the bench and last night’s hero Coco Crisp from both sides.

For the Cubs, Joe Madden will be happy to go with a line-up similar to those that have been shut out twice in the World Series already. The top five are the same as in game three, while the bottom three hitters are the top defensive options available. This is backwards to how the Cubs have been using Heyward, as a pinch runner and defensive replacement late in games in order to avoid him getting at bats.

As with the previous games, Kluber’s primary focus should be keeping the top four hitters off the bases as Zobrist has been the Cubs best hitter by far, hitting .500 during the first three games with two extra base hits.