The Cleveland Indians are going to the World Series for the first time since 1997 after beating the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 in game five of the 2016 American League Champion Series.
The last time the Indians was in the World Series, they lost to the then Florida Marlins. The last time they became world champions was in 1948 when they won against the then Boston Braves. Prior to the game, the Jays' Jose Bautista made a statement about Indians' starting pitcher, rookie Ryan Merritt. "With our experience in our lineup, I'm pretty sure he's going to be shaking in his boots more than we are," said Bautista.
Indians' manager Terry Francona told Merritt to just be himself and that everybody was behind him. "Hey, no matter what, good or bad, when you go out there, we're behind you. I'm behind you, your team is behind you, everybody is behind you, so just go out there and be yourself," said Francona.
Although he was admittedly a little nervous before the game, the rookie pitcher was unfazed by the magnitude of the game. He took care of business in 4 1/3 innings, allowing only two hits, 3 strikeouts, and zero runs. After the win, netizens took to the Internet and stuck back at Bautista on his comments on Merritt. Jason Kipnis also said, "that's why you don't say dumb shi*t."
This is Francona's first trip back to the World Series after leading the 2004 Boston Red Sox to their first world series in 86 years. Andrew Miller earned the ALCS Most Valuable Player award with 14 strikeouts, no walks, in 7 2/3 innings. The Indians will wait for the winner of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs who are currently tied at two games apiece.
