We’ve finally made it the World Series is here. A matchup with more than 170+ years of history behind it begins tonight in Cleveland. The Indians and Cubs square off in the best-of-seven Fall Classic. Both teams and their respective fan bases have waited a long time for this.

The Indians haven’t been in the World Series since 1997 and are trying to win their first world championship since 1948. Famously, Cubs fans haven’t had it much better. Chicago is appearing in its first World Series since 1945 and trying to break a 108-year title drought.

This is a matchup so rich with all sorts of storylines that add so many dramatic layers to this edition of the Fall Classic. Interestingly enough one that has flown a little under the radar is the curse-breaking connection to the 2004 Red Sox. Terry Francona, who served in the same position on that famous Boston world championship team, manages Cleveland. The architect behind the Cubs is team president Theo Epstein, who was the general manager in Boston during that 2004 run. Twelve years after breaking the “Curse of the Bambino” both men have the opportunity to end lengthy title droughts.

Already we have the makings for a fantastic series in the storyline department, but then these teams certainly earned their right on the billing. The Cubs had the best record in baseball during the regular season, sporting one of the most talented and versatile lineups in the game. Cleveland is a blue-collar team that grinds out games with clutch hitting and a lockdown bullpen.

Let’s put these teams under the microscope and break down what we should see in a fantastic World Series matchup.

Starting Pitching

Right away you have to give the edge to the Cubs. They have two Cy Young candidates in Jon Lester and Kyle Hendricks, who have been tough to beat so far this postseason. Jake Arrieta and John Lackey follow them up in the rotation. This rotation is deep and all four of them have the ability to shut down the opposing lineup.

That isn’t to say that Cleveland has a bunch of slouches in its starting rotation. I just don’t see how they match up to Chicago. Corey Kluber is probably the best pitcher that Cleveland has at its disposal and he does have the ability to go deep into games carrying the Indians with him. He’ll need to be the difference for the Indians in this series.

Bullpen

This is a tough call, but Cleveland’s bullpen has been nearly untouchable and is the reason that they got past Toronto. The Indians get the slight edge due to the strong pitching from Andrew Miller and Cody Allen. Both of them have the ability to pitch multiple innings a night which can allow the Indians starters to only need to pitch well for a few innings and just keep them in games until the fifth or sixth inning. The Andrew Miller deal at the trade deadline will be looked at as the trade that changed the season for Cleveland.

Now, the Cubs do have some firepower coming out of its bullpen to shut the door on games. Closer Aroldis Chapman literally throws fireballs to the plate, and its tough to hit a guy that throws 103-105 mph.

A fun part of this series will be the creative ways that Terry Francona and Joe Maddon use their bullpens on a game-to-game basis. That will be a fun chess match, especially when the series is playing NL-rules in Chicago during games 3-5.

Lineup

Chalk another one up for the Cubs. This lineup is absolutely loaded from top to bottom. Anyone can be the hero on any given night. They can play small ball if they need to but can also make you pay with the long ball if they have to. Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, both MVP candidates in the NL, are the heart and soul of this lineup. Bryant has been the consistent force while Rizzo’s bat coming alive late in the NLCS was a huge turning point in that series. The versatility of this lineup is interesting too, because multiple guys can play various positions, Joe Maddon is able to tailor the ideal lineup based on the pitching matchup.

Versatility is a calling card of the Cleveland lineup as well. Cleveland can mix and match 1-9 to play to the gameplan. Jason Kipnis and Francisco Lindor are the names to keep an eye on in this series for the Tribe.

Managers

 This one is a dead heat because both of these managers are among the best. Terry Francona always has a great feel for his team and has done one of his best jobs with a team during this run with the Indians. He has seemingly pushed all of the right buttons in every single game Cleveland has played. This team wouldn’t be here with a lesser manager despite all of the good pieces the Indians have on this team.

Across the diamond is Joe Maddon. He is arguably one of the best managers to have never won a World Series. Maddon is always thinking one or two steps ahead of the opposition and is known as the most prepared manager in the game. He is not afraid to play a matchup when he sees the opportunity to exploit one, even if that means shaking up his lineup to do so.

The game within the game between these two will be a treat to watch throughout this series.

Prediction: Cubs in 6, MVP – Kris Bryant

As much as I want to see the Cubs win the World Series in Chicago, I just don’t see the Indians going down so easily. Chicago is the better team on paper, but the Indians have what it takes to challenge the Cubs. Hot bats and a couple of gems from Lester and Hendricks will be the difference.

Enjoy the game tonight, it should be a great one. I’ll be back tomorrow with “No Huddle” and “Reality of Fantasy” breaking down Week 7 and looking ahead to Week 8. Follow me on Twitter @thereal_jmooney and go like the Shooting the Moon page on Facebook.