LISTEN: Francesa Says Indians Needed Game 1 More Than Cubs Did

NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Even though the World Series starts 0-0, WFAN's Mike Francesa says he believes Game 1 was a must-win for the Cleveland Indians.

And they delivered, routing the Chicago Cubs 6-0 on Tuesday night at Progressive Field.

"I thought the Indians had to win the game last night," Francesa said at the start of his show. "For them, if the Cubs had won Game 1, I think it would have been very tough for the Indians, I really do. ... I thought they had to win behind (ace pitcher Corey) Kluber, who clearly is going to pitch three times."

Kluber allowed just four hits over six innings and struck out nine.

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Meanwhile, Indians catcher Roberto Perez clubbed two homers in the victory.

"You always look for the guy who has the come-out-of-nowhere performance -- the light-hitting player, the Al Weis, if you go back that far with the Mets. Gene Tenace who did that for the A's. The guy who comes out of nowhere and has the great series or the big home runs or the big performance," Francesa said. "Obviously, their catcher now joins those annals in World Series history with that performance last night."

To listen to the full segment, in which Francesa also discusses opening night in the NBA, click on the audio player above.