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Some fans fret, others keep their chin up
cleveland
The Cubs evening up the World Series with the Indians with a Game 2 victory is a worry for some fans, while others are staying confident.
Evan Reese of Canfield attended Game 2 and for him it wouldn’t matter if the Tribe were up 3-0 in the series, he’d still be a bundle of nerves.
The Cleveland Indians, after their Tuesday win, lost Game 2 of the World Series 5-1.
The Cubs’ Jake Arrieta was dominant, holding Cleveland hitless for five-plus innings.
Game 3 is in Chicago on Friday night.
“It’s still Cleveland so anything can happen,” Reese said. “Game 5 against Toronto I had to leave and go for a walk. If it’s like that [in Game 2] I may have to leave my seat as well.”
It’s just the opposite for James LaPolla of Howland. He’s not cautiously optimistic. He’s very optimistic and knows he’s in a position allowing himself to get hurt if the Indians lose in typical fashion.
“If you’re not positive from the get-go then you’re not really positive,” LaPolla said.
LaPolla took his son to Game 1 and said it was right up there in terms of memories as the days his children were born.
“It was truly memorable,” LaPolla said. “Seeing your boy’s face light up is a truly cherished moment that will always be a part of our lives.”
For Sandra Morello of Austintown, everything looked great until the seventh inning of Game 1 when the Cubs loaded the bases before failing to score.
“I loved the whole game, the Indians looked awesome,” Morello said. “It was pretty scary in that seventh inning though. I thought for sure it was going to end badly.”
But Morello knows what the Cubs did to the Dodgers down two games to one in the National League Championship Series. After being shut out two straight games the Cubs erupted for 18 runs the next two games and out-scored the Dodgers 23-6 to close out the series.
“I’m worried,” Morello said. “Even based on yesterday on what [the Cubs] where doing I thought they were going to tie that game. I’m worried they might have been a little lucky [in Game 1].”
Morello’s mother, Sarah Layshock, is retaining her confidence after the show the Indians put on in Game 1.
“[Game 1] gave me confidence,” Layshock said. “I was hearing about how good the Cubs are but [the Indians] were impressive with the way they played.”
A prayer or two might have left Austintown during that seventh inning when it looked like the Cubs were going to blow the game wide open against Andrew Miller.
“I pray sometimes but then I think God has to answer the prayers of all the Cubs fans too,” Layshock said.
The sky appeared to be crumbling when Miller allowed the Cubs to load the bases, but the way they responded to that situation is what gives nervous fans like Reese a bit of confidence.
“This team doesn’t feel as good as the teams in [1995 and 1997], but they refuse to quit and that makes me a little more comfortable. I was a little more comfortable with [Corey] Kluber pitching so well but once they went 6-0 i calmed down a little.”
While foot traffic near the bars before Game 2 wasn’t nearly as congested as it was before Game 1 (with the Cavaliers game also being played Tuesday night), foot traffic around Progressive Field was steady before first pitch.