Indians one win away from first World Series championship since 1948

If the Chicago Cubs don’t do something fast, their misery that’s lasted more than a century will continue.

Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis each hit home runs, and Corey Kluber stymied the Cubs for the second time in this World Series, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 7-2 win in Game 4 at Wrigley Field on Saturday night.

The win gives the Indians a 3-1 series lead. They are a game away from winning their first championship since 1948.

This marks the 47th time that the World Series stands at 3-1. The previous 46 times, the team leading 3-1 has won the series 40 times (87.0%) and has won Game 5 on 26 occasions (56.5%).

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 22: The Chicago Cubs pose after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-0 in game six of the National League Championship Series to advance to the World Series against the Cleveland Indians at Wrigley Field on October 22, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

World Series misery will end soon for either the Cubs or Indians

The Cubs haven’t won the World Series in 108 years, and until this year, they hadn’t even reached the Fall Classic since 1945. The 71-year wait between championship appearances is the longest stretch for any team in the four major American sports (MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL).

On the flip side, the city of Cleveland – unbelievably – might hold its second championship parade since June.

Should the Indians win it all, it would cap an incredible few months for what previously had been a title-starved city. Until this year, when the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA championship, it had been 52 years since Cleveland won a title in any major sport.

“We’re going to show up tomorrow,” Indians manager Terry Francona said after Saturday night’s game. “The only thing that changes is we’ll pack our bags, because we’re going to go home one way or the other, and we’ll show up and try to beat a really good pitcher tomorrow and that’s what we always do. Nothing needs to change.”

Game 5 is Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET. Starting pitchers will be Jon Lester for Chicago and Trevor Bauer for Cleveland.

Aside from David Ross catching for Lester, Cubs manager Maddon said he probably won’t shake up the lineup.

“These are the guys that got us here,” Maddon said. “I’m very pleased with all of our guys. We had the one good game offensively in Cleveland. We just need that one moment. We have to have a one-game winning streak tomorrow, and if we do that, I really would be feeling pretty good about going back to Cleveland.”

Kluber dominates again

Initially, Saturday night looked promising for Chicago.

Leading off the bottom of the first inning, Dexter Fowler doubled to left field, sneaking the ball just past a fully outstretched Rajai Davis. Two batters later, Anthony Rizzo singled to drive him in for a quick 1-0 lead.

It was the first run scored by the Cubs in a World Series game at Wrigley Field since Bill Nicholson knocked in Peanuts Lowrey in the eighth inning of Game 7 in 1945.

But Cleveland answered right back – and then some.

The Chicago Cubs celebrate after defeating the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 of the World Series on Thursday, November 3. The Cubs won 8-7 in 10 innings to win the series 4-3. The billy goat curse is dead. The Chicago Cubs are World Series champions at long last, winning their first Fall Classic in 108 years.

The Chicago Cubs celebrate in the locker room.

World Series MVP Ben Zobrist of the Cubs poses with The Commissioner's Trophy.

Anthony Rizzo, David Ross, and Jason Heyward of the Cubs celebrate with actor John Cusack (far right).

Bill Murray reacts on the field after the Cubs won.

Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs celebrates with Jason Heyward after scoring a run in the tenth inning of Game 7.

The grounds crew covers the field during a rain delay before the start of the tenth inning in Game 7.

Francisco Lindor of the Indians jumps over Chris Coghlan of the Cubs in the ninth inning in Game 7.

Aroldis Chapman of the Chicago Cubs reacts after Rajai Davis of the Cleveland Indians (not pictured) hit a two-run homer during the eighth inning to tie the game 6-6 in Game 7.

Rajai Davis of the Indians celebrates after hitting a two-run homer during the eighth inning to tie the Game 7 at 6-6.

Indians fans react as they watch outside of Progressive Field during Game 7.

Jon Lester of the Chicago Cubs reacts after retiring the side during the seventh inning of Game 7.

David Ross of the Cubs reacts after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning in Game 7.

Jason Kipnis and Carlos Santana of the Cleveland Indians celebrate after scoring runs on a wild pitch during the fifth inning in Game 7.

David Ross of the Cubs reacts after Jon Lester (not pictured) threw a wild pitch during the fifth inning, allowing 2 runs to score in Game 7.

Javier Baez of the Cubs runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning in Game 7.

Kris Bryant of the Cubs slides safely under Indians catcher Roberto Perez during the fourth inning of Game 7.

Coco Crisp of the Indians hits a double during the third inning in Game 7.

Francisco Lindor of the Indians tags out Kyle Schwarber of the Cubs during the third inning of Game 7.

Kyle Hendricks of the Cubs throws during the first inning of Game 7.

Dexter Fowler of the Cubs celebrates after hitting a lead off home run in the first inning of Game 7.

The Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs stand for the national anthem prior to Game 7.

The Cubs celebrate after defeating the Indians 9-3 in Game 6 to even the World Series 3-3.

Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs hits two-run homer during the ninth inning of Game 6.

Aroldis Chapman of the Cubs races Francisco Lindor of the Indians to the bag during the seventh inning in Game 6.

Addison Russell of the Cubs tosses the ball to Javier Baez (not pictured) for a force out in the sixth inning of Game 6.

Jason Kipnis of the Indians rounds the bases after a home run during the fifth inning of Game 6.

Jose Ramirez of the Indians makes a catch in the fifth inning in Game 6.

Jake Arrieta of the Cubs is in action on the mound during Game 6.

Indians fans congregate outside Progressive Field during game 6.

Addison Russell of the Cubs celebrates after hitting a grand slam in the third inning of Game 6.

Ben Zobrist of the Cubs collides with the Indians' Roberto Perez in the first inning of Game 6.

Tyler Naquin and Lonnie Chisenhall of the Indians are unable to make a play in the first inning of Game 6.

Kris Bryant of the Cubs hits a solo home run during the first inning of Game 6.

A general view during Game 6 of the 2016 World Series.

Dexter Fowler, left, and Anthony Rizzo, right, of the Cubs celebrate after beating the Indians 3-2 in Game 5.

Fans celebrate after the Chicago Cubs win in Game 5.

Javier Baez, left, Jason Heyward, center, and Kris Bryant of the Cubs celebrate after Game 5.

Jason Heyward of the Chicago Cubs steals second base past Jason Kipnis of the Cleveland Indians in the eighth inning in Game 5.

Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward catches a fly ball hit by Indians' Trevor Bauer during the third inning of Game 5.

The Cubs' Kris Bryant, left, celebrates with Ben Zobrist after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of Game 5.

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer throws during the first inning of Game 5.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) reaches for a ball bounced off from catcher David Ross who was trying to catch a foul ball hit by Cleveland's Carlos Santana during the second inning of Game 5.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester throws during the first inning of Game 5.

Chicago Cubs fans outside of Wrigley Field before Game 5.

Francisco Lindor, left, and Brandon Guyer, right, of the Cleveland Indians celebrate after beating the Chicago Cubs 7-2 in Game 4 of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field on Saturday, October 29, in Chicago.

Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler can't make the catch on a double hit by Cleveland Indians' Coco Crisp during the seventh inning of Game 4.

Cleveland Indians' Carlos Santana wears socks with the team logo before Game 4.

Francisco Lindor of the Cleveland Indians hits a single off of John Lackey of the Chicago Cubs in the third inning in Game 4.

Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis collides with Cubs Jason Heyward as Kipnis turns a double play on a ball hit by the Cubs Javier Baez during the second inning of Game 4.

Cleveland Indians' Carlos Santana hits a home run off Chicago Cubs starting pitcher John Lackey during the second inning of Game 4.

Cleveland's Corey Kluber is safe at first as Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo can't make a play on a wild throw by third baseman Kris Bryant during the second inning of Game 4.

Indians center fielder Rajai Davis can't catch the ball hit by Chicago Cubs' Dexter Fowler during the first inning of Game 4.

Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber throws during the first inning of Game 4.

Cubs' Anthony Rizzo hits an RBI single during the first inning of Game 4.

Francisco Lindor and Brandon Guyer of the Indians celebrate after beating the Cubs 1-0 in Game 3.