Say what you will about how the designated hitter rule affects the World Series, the Cleveland Indians found a way to overcome their seeming disadvantage on Friday night to secure a 1-0 Game Three win and a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series. And they did it playing the brand of baseball usually associated with the National League.
Cleveland, despite being an American League team, has essentially played a National League style of ball for most of the season, and particularly in the playoffs. It is to the credit of manager Terry Francona and the willingness of the players on the club to follow his lead that the Indians are now a mere two wins away from their first World Series championship since 1948.