The Indians had to win Game One, and they did.

While it looks more and more like Cleveland may be just as destined to win the World Series as the Cubs, the Indians really won what was a must game Tuesday night. The pitching rotation still favors the Cubbies, and had John Lester beaten Corey Kluber in the opener the Cubs would have become a prohibitive favorite to bring home their first Series crown since 1908.

And if the Cubs can manage to win Game Two in Cleveland and take a 1-1 split home to Wrigley Field for three straight, their starting pitching of Jake Arrieta and Kyle Hendrick and Lester on short rest in Game 4 will return them to the favorite’s role.

But, man oh man, are the Indians playing championship baseball. When weak-hitting catcher Roberto Perez becomes only the third player in history to hit two homers in a World Series game, it really does look like manager Terry Francona cannot lose in the Fall Classic. His 2004 and 2007 Red Sox swept the Cardinals and Rockies and he is now 9-0 as a manger in the World Series.

He has a wonderful tam that has flown beneath the big buzz of the Cubs getting back to the Series for the first time since 1945. The Indians lack the star power of Chicago, but they play together like the Golden State Warriors of baseball. While their players don’t have the marquee names of Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, shortstop Franciso Lindor and third baseman Jose Ramirez, who combined for six hits Tuesday night, are seemingly just as good.

And their complementary players, like Perez, are in the zone. Way underrated Rajai Davis, Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall can hit and field, and Mike Napoli is lurking with that big home run. With Francona using his relief pitching, especially Andrew Miller as a middle-inning set-up man, is a conductor hitting all the right notes.

The Cubs don’t have the home-field advantage and they are down 1-0, but they have those three straight games at Wrigley Field this weekend. So the amazing Indians still have to hold serve in the second game or fall back into the underdogs’ role. Strange but true.