Despite the Cinderella storylines about two of baseball's underdog franchises reaching the World Series, the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians fully deserve to be battling for Major League Baseball's title.
Chicago, despite their so-called 'Curse of the Billy Goat', began the season as favourites to win baseball's top prize and the young Cubs proved they have come of age by winning a major league-leading 103 games.
The last Chicago Cubs team to win a World Series back in 1908 (Getty Images)
The Indians, whose powerhouse team reached a pair of World Series in the 1990s, overcame numerous obstacles to climb to the top of the American League, relying on stellar starting pitching in the regular season and a killer bullpen in the playoffs.
The Cubs are warm betting favourites for the Series.
The winners of the best-of-seven starting in Cleveland on Tuesday (Wednesday NZT) will relieve their city of decades of frustration and set off a frenzied celebration.
The 112th World Series is sure to end one epic title drought, with the Indians' last triumph coming 68 years ago and the Cubs waiting a mind-boggling 108 seasons since their last championship.
Cleveland Indians celebrate qualifying for the World Series (Getty Images)
Chicago boasts a more potent line-up, having scored more runs (808-777) and hit more home runs (199-185) than the Indians in the regular season, though the Tribe have more variety in their game, with 134 stolen bases to 66 for the Cubbies.
Both clubs feature emerging young players, fuelling the hope that more Fall Classics are in their future.
The Cubs have four standout players aged 24 or younger in their line-up in Kris Bryant, National League Championship Series co-most valuable player Javier Baez, versatile Willson Contreras and Addison Russell alongside 27-year-old slugger Anthony Rizzo.
Cleveland, whose 52-year major pro championship drought was ended earlier this year by LeBron James and the NBA Cavaliers, boast shortstop Francisco Lindor and third baseman Jose Ramirez.
Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder (L) celebrates with the Chicago Cubs (Getty Images)
Pitching has been a key ingredient for both clubs.
Chicago's veteran starting rotation of Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta, lefty Jon Lester, National League earned run average (ERA) leader Kyle Hendricks and righty John Lackey helped them lead the majors in ERA at 3.15.
Cleveland, led by 2014 Cy Young winner Corey Kluber, had the American League's second-best ERA of 3.84, in a league where more runs are scored due to use of a designated hitter for the pitcher.
The Indians were missing top offensive player Michael Brantley this season due to injury and resourceful manager Terry Francona has juggled his rotation with late season injuries to Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar and recently Trevor Bauer.
Andrew Miller of the Cleveland Indians (Getty Images)
Still, Cleveland has posted a 1.77 ERA in the post-season with a heavy assist from relievers Andrew Miller and Cody Allen.
The Cubs added their own splendid finishing piece this season with a trade for fireballing closer Aroldis Chapman, who routinely breaks 100 mph (161 kph) with his fastball.
Reuters
