The Chicago Cubs now must pick their spots with Kyle Schwarber as the World Series shifts to the Windy City for Games 3, 4 and 5.
Schwarber, who had been expected to miss the entire season after tearing two ligaments in his knee back in April, returned for Games 1 and 2 against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. But neither team will have the luxury of using a designated hitter for Games 3 through 5 at Wrigley Field, where National League rules will apply, and that’s problematic for Chicago because Schwarber wasn’t medically cleared to play the field, according to Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein on Thursday.
This is significant because Schwarber was locked in at the plate while serving as Chicago’s DH for Games 1 and 2 despite missing almost the entire regular season and the Cubs’ first two playoff series. The 23-year-old outfielder went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk in Game 1, which Chicago lost 6-0. He then went 2-for-4 with a walk, two RBIs and a run scored in the Cubs’ 5-1 win in Game 2.
Schwarber will be available to pinch hit, so it’s not like he’ll be completely useless to the Cubs over the next three games in Chicago. But his opportunities will be limited, meaning Cubs manager Joe Maddon is under some extra pressure to determine the best times to deploy the hot-hitting slugger.
The Cubs and Indians, who are tied at a game apiece, will resume their best-of-seven series Friday night.
Thumbnail photo via Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports Images