The past 14 times that the home team has won Game 1 that team has won the Series. Teams ahead 1-0 have won 71-of-111 World Series.

The Indians have posted four shutouts this season to tie the all-time record. Four other teams matched that feat.

Terry Francona is the first manager to win his first nine World Series games. He is 36-19 in the postseason, the highest winning percentage of any manager with 50 postseason games under his belt. He’s also seventh in wins with 36.

Core Kluber struck out eight batters the first three innings of Game 1. That’s the first time that has ever happened in the playoffs (more than 1,500 games). He tossed six shutout innings lowering his postseason ERA to 0.74 in four starts. He’s also gone 3-1 lining him up with Christy Mathewson and Cliff Lee as the only three hurlers with three wins and an ERA that low in their first four starts. The best ERA’s in the postseason, minimum four starts. It has also been announced that Kluber will start Game 4.

Jon Lester allowed two runs in the first inning. In his previous three World Series outings he had allowed one run over 21 innings.

Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez both hit homers in their first World Series game. They are the first set of teammates to post three hits in their W.S. debut since Aubrey Huff and Freddy Sanchez pulled off the trick in Game 1 of the 2010 Series for the Giants. The only other time that has happened since 1980 is Robin Yount and Paul Molitor in 1982.

Andrew Miller threw 46 pitches in Game 1 and could still pitch in Game 2, though he won’t be allowed to throw more than an inning. Miller has yet to all a run in 22 playoff innings with 34 strikeouts in his career. He’s struck out more than 40 percent of the batters he’s faced.

Roberto Perez hit two homers and drove in four runs. He’s just the fourth player to ever do both of those things in their first World Series game. Perez also became the second catcher to ever backstop a shutout while hitting two homers. The other was Yogi Berra in Game 7 of the 1956 World Series. By the by… Perez had never hit two homers in a game as a professional. He also did some great work as a pitch receiver.

Addison Russell and Lindor are both 22 years old. Game 1 was the first time in Series history that both starting shortstops were under 23 years of age.

Carlos Santana dealt with leg cramping and needed an I.V. during the game.

GAME 2 PREVIEW

Trevor Bauer faces off with Jake Arrieta as the teams try to avoid the rain long enough to get the game in. Here are the full lineups. Will Bauer’s injured finger hold up or will it burst open spurting blood like it did last time? “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,” Francona said. “And if it doesn’t work, I’m going to make the doctor come up here and talk to you guys.”

Jason Heyward will be on the bench again for the Cubs. He will take a seat as Jorge Soler plays because Bauer has less success against righties than lefties.

Kyle Schwarber, who had a hit and walk in Game 1, will DH yet again in Game 2. Schwarber became the first player to appear in the World Series after playing four or fewer games during the regular season. Kyle is the first position player to get a World Series hit after not producing a hit during the regular season.

Brandon Guyer goes to the bench in favor of Tyler Naquin who hit .301 against righties this season.

The Cubs will start six players 24 years or younger in Game 2. That’s a World Series record.

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 8 PM EDT, Wednesday 7 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 9 PM EDT PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).