CLEVELAND _ In early July, Cubs president Theo Epstein first began squelching trade rumors out of New York involving Kyle Schwarber, telling reporters he was looking forward to watching the slugger return next spring in Mesa, Ariz.
Schwarber was grateful for the support, but declined to go along with the narrative he wouldn't be back until spring training.
"I'm going to work my butt off to get back as soon as I can, whatever the timetable is," he said. "I want to do more. I think that's only a good mindset to have, and whatever happens, happens."
What happened is now part of World Series' lore.
Schwarber returned from over a six-month absence last week in Game 1 of the 2016 World Series, and went 3-for-7 with a pair of walks and two RBI while DHing in the first two games at Progressive Field.
After being out of the starting lineup in the three games at Wrigley, due to doctor's orders, Schwarber returns on Tuesday in Game 6 with a chance to help force a seventh game.
With the Cubs' trailing 3-2 and the offense still struggling, Schwarber could be the X-Factor they desperately need.
"He's back, and I'm sure he's champing at the bit to get in the lineup," Anthony Rizzo said. "He's going to have big at-bats Tuesday, and he's going to be ready for it. And he's got all of our confidence behind him."
Schwarber had only one pinch-hit opportunity in the games at Wrigley, hitting a soft pop-up off Bryan Shaw to shortstop Francisco Lindor, who was playing on the other side of second on a shift, during the eighth inning of Game 3.
On Tuesday he'll face right-hander Josh Tomlin, who pitched 4 2/3 shutout innings in the Indians' 1-0 win in that same game.
"We might have expanded (the strike) zone here and there, but that's an adjustment that can easily be made," Schwarber said of Tomlin. "And that was a bunch of guys first time facing him, too. I'm sure (Tuesday) it'll be a completely different situation and approach."
Getting to Tomlin early figures to be a key, since he probably won't pitch long. The Indians bullpen has been lights-out in the World Series, and manager Terry Francona has been using them like a plumber uses a snake.
The Cubs are hitting .210 in the Series with 10 runs in the five games, and relievers Andrew Miller, Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw have allowed one earned-run over 13 combined innings with 24 strikeouts and five walks.
If the Cubs are trailing before "Miller Time" in Game 6, or Game 7, it's probably curtains. The problem is no one knows when uber-reliever Miller will come into a game because of Francona's unpredictability.
Former Indians slugger Jim Thome compared Cleveland's bullpen depth to the Royals' lockdown pen of 2014 and '15, which tended to enter games in the fifth or sixth innings. Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland nailed down the final three, making manager Ned Yost's job relatively easy.
"To be honest, Ned was kind of similar with 'Tito,' " Thome said, using Francona's nickname. "They're being consistent with what they have."
It takes someone like Miller, who has absolutely no ego, to make it work. Miller doesn't care when he pitches, and since he's the best of the Indians relievers, no one else can really complain about their role.
"You have to have the right guys to do it, personality-wise," said Indians bullpen coach Jason Bere, a former Cubs starter. "If you're talking about doing something like that in the regular season ... you have to have guys that are willing because of how things are broken down for arbitration, free agency and things like that."
In other words, the relievers need those holds and saves stats to get their money, and pitching in the fifth or sixth isn't conducive to piling up stats.
"Fortunately we have a guy like Andrew who doesn't care," Bere said.
Miller already got closer money from the Yankees, and didn't make a peep when they brought in Aroldis Chapman last offseason and made him the closer, moving Miller to a set-up role. Bere said the money is not the issue for Miller.
"That helps, certainly," Bere said. "But he just wants to pitch when the game is on the line, in high leverage situations. He wouldn't be able to do what he does if we didn't have the other guys we have. Right now it's working, and I'm glad that it is."
According to fangraphs.com, Indians pitchers have thrown breaking balls on 34 percent of their pitches through Game 5, after the Cubs saw 25 percent breaking balls (curveballs and sliders) during the regular season. The Cubs had the eight-worst average on curves in 2016.
This has resulted in some poor swings at pitches outside the zone by Javier Baez, Willson Contreras and others, either putting them behind in the count or resulting in weak contact.
"I know we've got some guys to expand (their zone) during this series," Bere said. "But I think it's how we got there too, with some quality pitches early. Look at Corey Kluber in Game 1. His sinkers broke so late, and then they were chasing other pitches _ and how can't you chase when he's throwing 94, 95 (mph), two-seamers that are catching the plate.
"You can't sit around and wait. I'm sure some people are saying 'What are they swinging at? Well, did you see the other two pitches before?"
Schwarber's return should help alleviate some of those issues since his batting eye and approach have been remarkable, especially considering he's missed over six months after the knee surgery. The Cubs season is not on Schwarber's big shoulders, but he does carry a big stick.
It's funny to think that when the trade rumors began in July, Schwarber actually had to consider the possibility he could leave the organization he came up with and loved.
"I'm going to worry about being a Cub and worry about my rehab and worry about this team and them going to the World Series," he said that day.
Mission accomplished.
Now for your next assignment ...
