The Chicago Cubs are in a position where they can really gain control of the World Series when they take the field for Game 3, in what is the return of the Fall Classic to Wrigley Field for the first time since 1945. And they will have the best possible pitcher on the mound as they go after a 2-1 lead in this game begins at 8:05 PM ET. BetAnySports customers can get reduced juice wagering before the game starts and then keep the action going as they are able to challenge the World Series odds through the magic of Live Betting Ultra.

The Cubs got a great pitching effort out of Jake Arrieta in Game 2, and that was a pleasant experience, as he had not been in his best form previously. Now they have Kyle Hendricks (16-8, 2.13 ERA) on the mound, and he has been especially tough to hit at Wrigley Field (1.32 ERA, 0.86 WHIP ratio, with a .272 slugging average against him). He was very effective in the NLCS, allowing just one earned run in 12-2/3 innings, and this gives the Cubbies a big edge out there.

Only two pitchers in the majors gave up more home runs than Josh Tomlin, who was 13-9 with a 4.40 ERA this season. Tomlin turned things around from that standpoint quite a bit as the season wound down, and indeed has allowed just one homer in his last 37-1/3 innings. He had better be in THAT kind of form on Friday night, as the wind is going to be blowing out hard at times at Wrigley.

In the World Series odds that have been posted on this game by the people at BetAnySports, the Cubs are big favorites:

Chicago Cubs (Hendricks - R) -190
Cleveland Indians (Tomlin - R) +180

Over 8 Runs -115
Under 8 Runs -105

One of the big headlines coming into this game is the absence of Kyle Schwarber from the starting lineup. Schwarber, who almost magically came off the disabled list to get a few hits in the first two games, including a couple of RBI's in Game 2, has not been cleared by team doctors to play the outfield, and because no DH exists when the World Series shifts to the National League park, he will be restricted to a pinch-hitting role, if the situation presents itself.

The only other member of the Cubs who has hit the ball at all in this series thus far is Ben Zobrist, who has five hits, including a double and a triple, in eight at-bats. So the rest of this team needs to get moving.

BetAnySports patrons also know that the Indians have not swung the bat very well in the post-season, as evidenced by their .210 average. If they cannot reach Hendricks for some long balls, what are they going to do? We've seen that Terry Francona, who is 9-1 in World Series games, has failed to take advantage of the fact that his Indians should be able to swipe bases. They have done it only once in the first two games, and the Chicago starters just don't prevent this kind of thing too often.

Cleveland usually has a hearty offensive attack at Progressive Field, but they have gone dry on the road all too often. In fact, they hit .236 as the visitor, compared to .288 at home, and their OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging) is 136 points lower on the road. Yes, this is an uphill battle.

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