Russell leads Cubs to rout over Indians and into historic Game 7

CLEVELAND – After 108 years, two weeks and four days, it has all come down to this for these Cubs who would write their own history:

A Game 7 appearance almost as rare as the championship itself.

“You dream for this, man,” Kris Bryant said.

A record-setting performance by the youngest Cub on the field, and a 97-mph pitching start by the baddest, gave the Cubs a 9-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians in Game 6 of the World Series and assured that Nov. 2 will be a date long remembered by one of these star-crossed franchises.

“It’s just correct and apt that we’d go seven games,” said manager Joe Maddon, who brought his closer, Aroldis Chapman, into the game in the seventh inning for the second elimination game in a row.

Shortstop Addison Russell, 22, hit the first Cubs grand slam in World Series history, and starter Jake Arrieta was powerful again into the sixth to become the first since Bob Gibson to win two road starts in a World Series.

But it will be what comes next that will make the history these guys keep talking about writing.

“I hope it’s not difficult to sleep,” Russell said.

After 209 games from March through the six-month season and a month of playoffs, every target they embraced, every ghost they dismissed, every reason all those free agents took less money to sign comes down one night in Cleveland in November.

It’s the third Game 7 in franchise history. Both of the others were losses, most recently in the 2003 National League Championship Series against the Marlins; the other was the last time the Cubs reached the World Series, in 1945 against the Tigers.

“I don’t even think we’re really thinking about that,” Rusell said. “A lot of us are going into tomorrow thinking it’s just another game. That’s the approach that we’ve been taking this whole season, and look where we are.”

Of course, it’s not just another game. Just ask the only player in the Cubs’ clubhouse who has played a Game 7 – 2002 Game 7 starter John Lackey.

“People that try to tell you it’s just another game are lying to you,” Lackey said. “You’re going to feel different. There’s going to be some different emotions. You’ve got to embrace that. Don’t fight it. You just try to use those and channel them in the right direction.”

For the Cubs to win their third World Series title, first since 1908, they have to beat former Cy Young winner Corey Kluber for the first time after losing Games 1 and 4 to him. Kluber is pitching on short rest for the second consecutive start.

The Cubs counter with Kyle Hendricks, who went from fifth starter to leading the majors in ERA in the span of six months this season.

If the Cubs win Wednesday, they’ll become the sixth team to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the World Series to win.

The last to do it: the Royals in 1985 against the Cardinals.

The last to do it on the road: the Pirates in 1979 against the Orioles.

“Anybody who plays this game grows up dreaming of winning a World Series,” said Bryant, whose four-hit night included a first-inning homer. “We get to play in a Game 7 [Wednesday]. That’s pretty special.

“But we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves. When we were down 3-1, it was take it a game at a time and try to get to Game 7,” he added. “[Wednesday] we’re going to be there, and it’s nice to kind of build off of these last two games with momentum.”

Tuesday’s victory improved the franchise’s mark in postseason elimination games to 8-15.

Arrieta pitched two outs deep into the sixth in another strong start in Cleveland, retiring nine of the first 10 he faced, and beating the Indians for the second time this series.

If you didn’t know what the adrenaline and emotions of a second straight elimination game would do for the Cubs’ 2015 Cy Young Award winner, consider Arrieta’s fastball reached 97 mph Tuesday night – his top velocity of the year.