The Cleveland Indians are going to the World Series
For the first time in nearly two decades, the Cleveland Indians are going to the World Series.
The Indians beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 3-0, in Game 5 of the ALCS on Wednesday to lock up their fifth World Series berth in franchise history.
Cleveland sent rookie pitcher Ryan Merritt to the mound, who had pitched only 11 innings and made one start in the big leagues before Wednesday.
Merritt was spectacular, though, allowing only two hits over 4 1/3 innings before handing it over to the bullpen and allowing Bryan Shaw, Andrew Miller and Cody Allen to finish it off from there.
It's been a dominant postseason so far for Cleveland. The Indians swept the Red Sox in three games in the ALDS and then took a 3-0 lead over Toronto before losing their first game of the playoffs in Game 4.
For all the attention the Chicago Cubs get for not having won a World Series since 1908, Cleveland is carrying quite the championship drought along with it as well.
The Indians, of course, have not won a championship since 1948, losing all three trips to the Fall Classic since then.
Now, Terry Francona and his club await the Cubs or Dodgers to play for the 2016 title.
We are World Series bound! #RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/NDq37oF45f
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) October 19, 2016
4.1 innings, two singles allowed.
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) October 19, 2016
Ryan Merritt=King in The North? #RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/GgSvAf7isD
