It had to come down to this.
With two teams chasing an end to historically long championship droughts, the World Series just had to come down to one game — one winner-take-all, do-or-die, win-or-go-home, sudden-death matchup.
The Chicago Cubs evened the World Series at three games each on Tuesday night, denying Cleveland's chance at clinching a championship in back-to-back games. On Wednesday, the Cleveland Indians will host the Cubs in Game 7 of the World Series, the 38th Game 7 in MLB history.
Whether the Cubs end their 108-year World Series drought, or the Indians end theirs at 68 years, one team will get a champagne shower on Wednesday.
Here's how to watch Game 7:
Time:8:08 p.m. ESTTV:FoxStreaming:Fox Sports Go and MLB.TV
SEE ALSO:Why a 39-year-old, back-up catcher is the real star of the World SeriesTo get you prepared for one team's drought-quenching victory, here are a few quick facts:
1. Chicago hasn't won a World Series since 1908. Cleveland hasn't since 1948. One of those droughts is about to end.
2. The last time both of these teams were in the World Series, it went to Game 7. The Cubs got smacked by the Detroit Tigers, 9-3, in Game 7 of the 1945 World Series. The Indians lost a heartbreaker in 1997 when the Florida Marlins walked off in extra innings.
3. Only five teams have come back from 3-1 deficits to win the World Series, a feat the Cubs will try and accomplish in Game 7. It hasn't happened since 1985, but the Cubs are probably sick of hearing "hasn't happen since."
Kyle Schwarber, Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist after Addison Russell's grand slam in Game 6.Credit: Elsa/Getty ImagesAnd here are a couple bigger storylines to follow in Game 7:
The Cleveland Indians will send starting pitcher Corey Kluber to the mound on Wednesday night. In two World Series starts this year, Kluber has two wins and 15 strikeouts. He's only allowed one run in 12 innings.
Kluber is the Indians best shot at winning the World Series. The Cubs have had no luck getting anything started against him.
And if you think the pressure of Game 7 will get to Kluber, think again. His stone-cold composure and mechanic dominance are why he's affably called the Klubot.
Corey Kluber dominated tonight #Klubot #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/a1bynqTVmV
— vytas balciunas (@vytasbalciunas) October 26, 2016
Cubs slugger Kris Bryant had been struggling at the plate for the better part of the World Series, notching two hits in the first five games. But Bryant unloaded for four hits in Game 6, including a home run that got the scoring started for Chicago in the first inning.
.@KrisBryant_23 logs the first 4-hit #WorldSeries game since Pablo Sandoval in 2012. pic.twitter.com/YJKHdTwakQ
— MLB Stat of the Day (@MLBStatoftheDay) November 2, 2016
The middle of the Cubs lineup has slowly caught fire. Chicago's three through six hitters — including Bryant — combined for 11 hits and nine RBI in Game 6.
Kluber is hot, but so is Chicago's offense. Game 7 will peg the best against the best.
It's Game 7.
There's no tomorrow, no pitch-count concerns or planning for future games. After Wednesday, most players won't see live action until Spring Training. There's plenty of time for pitchers to rest their arms in the offseason.
In Game 7 of the 2014 World Series, starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner tossed five innings out of the bullpen, two games after he pitched a complete game.
Expect the Cubs and Indians to lay everything on the line.
Kyle Hendricks will start for Chicago. Cubs ace Jon Lester — who pitched Game 5 — will be available out of the bullpen, as will Game 4 starter John Lackey. Closer Aroldis Chapman tossed 42 pitches in Game 5, then came back in Game 6 to fire 20 more. But he'll likely be back in the mix for Game 7 as well.
Aroldis Chapman pitched in Games 5 and 6.Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesCleveland's dominant relievers — Andrew Miller and Cody Allen — haven't pitched since Saturday and Sunday, respectively. They're good to go, and they'll surely see action in Game 7.
It's do or die. Cleveland and Chicago will do whatever it takes to win this game.
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