Schwarber's status uncertain as series moves to Chicago
Kyle Schwarber has already made an impact in this series after returning from a severe knee injury that cost him almost the entire season. He drove in two runs in Game 2 and has looked so comfortable at the plate that his status for Games 3-5 in Chicago is sure to be a significant topic during Thursday's day off. The Cubs can't use him as a designated hitter at home, so it's a question of whether he can play the field.
Schwarber was in left field for his only two games of the regular season in early April, and manager Joe Maddon said it's possible he could take some flyballs during Thursday's workout at Wrigley Field.
The Indians have a similar issue. They'll have to be creative if they want to keep Carlos Santana and Mike Napoli in the lineup without the DH when the Series resumes Friday night.
What to watch for during today's break before Game 3 of the World Series:
THE COUNTDOWN
While Cleveland fans were fired up to host the first two games of this series - especially with Game 1 on the same night the Cavaliers raised their championship banner - the moment when the Cubs take their positions for the first World Series game at Wrigley Field since 1945 will be something special. Even the off-day workout, when they take the field with Series patches on their hats, may seem like another landmark moment.
RESTED
The Indians had to throw 196 pitches in Game 2, but the stars of their bullpen - Andrew Miller and Cody Allen - got the night off. With another day off before Game 3, there's no reason manager Terry Francona can't work his top relievers hard again if Cleveland reaches the middle innings with a lead.
STARTERS
Kyle Hendricks returns to the mound for the Cubs in Game 3, pitching for the first time since leading Chicago to a pennant-winning victory in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series at Wrigley. It's been a much longer layoff for Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin, who pitched well in Game 2 of the ALCS against Toronto on Oct. 15 and hasn't made an appearance since.