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World Series Back at Wrigley: Are the Friendly Confines Hostile to the Cubs in the Fall Classic?

PLUS: Kyle Schwarber can't play the field, but he sure can sing | Game 3 starters and start time | How to watch on TV and online.

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For the first time since 1945, the Chicago Cubs are four wins away from the promised land: a World Series title. But to get there, the Cubs must face the Cleveland Indians, the American League champions who have home-field advantage in the series thanks to the AL's victory in the All-Star Game. Here's your quick guide to what you need to know before the first pitch of Game 3 is thrown.

2016 World Series: Cubs vs. Indians

The best-of-seven series is tied, 1-1. Check out the Game 2 recap.

GAME 3

First Pitch: 7:08 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28

Where: Wrigley Field

TV | Radio | Streaming: Fox 32 Chicago (WFLD-TV) | 670 the Score (WSCR-AM), ESPNRadio 1000 (WMVP-AM) | Fox Sports Go

Pitching Matchup: Kyle Hendricks (1-1, 1.65 ERA) vs. Josh Tomlin (2-0, 2.53 ERA)

Wrigleyville Weather, Friday, Oct. 28

High: 65° | Low: 44°

Forecast: Partly cloudy throughout the day. | Wind: S 14 mph. | Chance of precipitation: 0%

Want to know the Game 4 forecast? Check out Patch's seven-day forecast.

Series Schedule

  • Game 4: 7:08 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29
  • Game 5: 7:08 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30
  • Game 6*: 7:08 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1
  • Game 7*: 7:08 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2

*if necessary

Cubs Stats/History/Trivia Etc.

Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber was not cleared by team doctors to play in the outfield during Games 3 through 5 at Wrigley Field, according to MLB.com. Chicago's medical staff had given Schwarber the green light to bat during the World Series, and he was the Cubs' designated hitter for Games 1 and 2 in Cleveland. Pitchers, however, bat in games played at National League parks.

But that doesn't mean Schwarber only will be riding the bench for the Cubs' home games in the series. Manager Joe Maddon could use him as a pinch hitter, which would only contribute to his growing postseason legend if he's brought in during a tie game or when the team is behind.

The 23-year-old internet meme machine also could be called up to the press box to lead the Wrigley crowd in "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" in the seventh inning. Thankfully, the Cubs Twitter account reminded fans Thursday of this 2010 video of Schwarber (he's on the right) singing a cappella with the Middletown (Ohio) High School show choir

But the team didn't stop there. A creative videographer took that YouTube footage and mixed in a few batting highlights and some sick — in this case, the traditional definition and the current slang meaning of "sick" both apply — dance choreography from Kris Bryant, David Ross, Addison Russell and "Schwarbs" himself.

We can't all hit like Schwarber, but we're pretty certain we can dance just as horribly as better than he can.

(Un)Friendly Confines?

Game 3 marks the return of the World Series to Wrigley Field. While that's great for Cubs fans wanting to see a game in person, it might not be such good news for the team. Since becoming the Cubs' home in 1916, the Friendly Confines have been downright hostile for the North Siders in past Fall Classics.

Not counting this season, the Cubs have hosted five World Series* — 1929, 1932, 1935, 1938 and 1945 — and played 13 World Series games there. In that span, the Cubs never won a title, and the team's home-game World Series record at Wrigley Field was 2-11. The only victories were Game 5 in 1935 and Game 6 in 1945.

*The Cubs played in the 1918 World Series, but Wrigley Field didn't host any of those games. Comiskey Park was used instead, because it could hold more people.

What You Need to Know If You Go to Wrigleyville

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