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It's Hendricks vs. Kluber in Game 7

It doesn't get any better than Game 7 of the World Series.

That's where the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians find themselves Wednesday night at Progressive Field. As an added bonus, the opposing starting pitchers in the deciding game were among the best in their respective leagues during the regular season.

The Cubs send Kyle Hendricks to the mound, and the right-hander posted the lowest ERA (2.13) in the major leagues during the regular season while going 16-8.

Hendricks has elevated his game to an even higher level in the playoffs, going 1-1 with a 1.31 ERA in 4 starts.

“This is the ultimate dream,” Hendricks said. “You dream of getting to the World Series, winning the World Series. When you're out in your backyard as a kid, playing Little League at the field with your friends, this is the moment you dream about, Game 7, 3-2, two outs, something like that, bottom of the ninth. But it's always Game 7 of the World Series.

“I'm just going to embrace the opportunity like I have the rest of this postseason, honestly. Approach it like any other game, simple thoughts, the same old thing.”

The Indians send Corey Kluber to the mound, and by now Cubs fans should know all about the standout right-hander.

In Game 1, Kluber pitched 6 scoreless innings and had 9 strikeouts in Cleveland's 6-0 victory. In Game 4, he pitched 6 innings again and allowed 1 run in a 7-2 win over the Cubs.

In 5 postseason starts, the American League Cy Young Award favorite is 4-1 with a 0.89 ERA.

“First and foremost, it's been a blast,” Kluber said. “I think that we've all really enjoyed ourselves. I think we can take a lot from the way we approached it, and not treating it more than just each game is another game and trying to go out and win that day. Not trying to look too far ahead or things like that.”

Hendricks and Kluber are the Game 7 starters, but with the World Series championship on the line for both long-suffering franchises, one or both will be pulled at the first sign of trouble.

Kluber and Hendricks both are as cool as they come, so nerves shouldn't be a problem on either side.

“He's able to control his emotions really well,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Hendricks. “I like the fact that he commands other pitches and fastball counts well, which really presents difficult situations for the hitter. I think that's really where it comes from with him.”

• Follow Scot's baseball reports on Twitter @sgregor.

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