Who will have a big say in World Series?

Through 10 postseason games, Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler collected 18 total bases with a .262 batting average. (Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com)

In his three postseason starts in 2016, Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester has a 0.78 ERA. (Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com)

After a slow start, Anthony Rizzo has collected 9 hits and 5 RBI in postseason play for the Cubs. (Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com)

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Andrew Miller has pitched 11? innings in the postseason with 21 strikeouts and an ERA of 0.60. (Associated press)

Cleveland Indians’ Jose Ramirez led the team in hitting this season, but has gone hot and cold in the playoffs with 5 hits against Boston and only 1 hit against Toronto. (Associated Press)

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber is 2-1 in postseason play this year, with a 0.98 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 18.1 innings. (Associated Press)

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By Scot Gregor (sgregor@dailyherald.com)

The Cubs haven’t been to the World Series since 1945, and they haven’t won a championship since 1908.

The Cleveland Indians were a powerhouse team two decades ago and they made it to the World Series in 1995 and again in ’97, coming up short both times. They haven’t won a championship since 1948.

Something has to give when the Cubs and Indians meet up in this year’s Fall Classic, with Game 1 commencing Tuesday night at Progressive Field

Here are three key players from each side that should have a big say in the outcome:

CUBS

Dexter Fowler

Trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 in the National League championship series after being shut out in back-to-back games, the Cubs were in big trouble and in desperate need of an offensive spark.

Fowler provided it out of the leadoff spot, going 6-for-14 as the Cubs outscored L.A. 23-6 while winning three straight and advancing to the World Series.

Jon Lester

Clayton Kershaw attracted most of the attention in the NLCS, but Lester was the better starting pitcher, allowing just 2 earned runs over 13 innings in 2 starts vs. the Dodgers.

Add in the 8 shutout innings he threw against the San Francisco Giants in Game 1 of the NL division series, and you can see why the Cubs invested $155 million in Lester.

Anthony Rizzo

Like Dexter Fowler, he came alive in the NLCS after the Cubs fell behind 2-1.

Rizzo was 7-for-14 with 2 home runs, 2 doubles and 5 RBI in Games 4-6 against the Dodgers.

The left-handed hitting first baseman could do some serious damage against Cleveland’s right-handed heavy pitching staff.

INDIANS

Andrew Miller

No matter when he came out of the bullpen in the American League division series and championship series, Miller was a lockdown reliever.

In 6 postseason appearances against the Red Sox and Blue Jays, Miller pitched 11? scoreless innings, allowing 5 hits while striking out 21.

Jose Ramirez

The third baseman led the Indians with a .312 batting average during the regular season and also contributed 11 home runs and 76 RBI.

Ramirez was 5-for-10 against Boston in the ALDS but cooled against the Blue Jays in the ALCS, going 1-for-17. If he heats back up in the World Series, Cleveland could have a shot.

Corey Kluber

He is very likely to win his second Cy Young Award in three seasons this year, and the right-handed starter is showing why in the playoffs.

In 3 postseason starts against dangerous offenses in the Red Sox and Blue Jays, Kluber went 2-1 with a 0.98 ERA.